Metabolomics Study for New Candidate Biomarkers in Severe Brain Injury

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16559
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Nakai Tomoaki 神戸大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (60596089)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: brain injury / metabolomics / biomarker

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We analyzed chronological change of the cerebrospinal fluid and the peripheral blood in acute severe head injury patients using metabolomics study which detected comprehensive metabolites, and searched for the new biomarkers related to neurological prognosis.
As a result, we could identify plural candidates. Those are regarded as the direct products resulted from brain contusion and/or hemorrhage and as the reactants reflected in vivo various metabolism.

Free Research Field

脳神経外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

臨床検体を利用し、客観的に、簡便かつ鋭敏に頭蓋内圧の上昇や予後の予測を出来る指標が得られれば、手術などの積極的治療介入の要否やそのタイミング、多発外傷時の加療優先順位の判断、長期的予後も踏まえたリハビリや社会復帰プログラムの関わり方など、急性期治療の段階のみならず、福祉介入の方針決定においても非常に有意義になると考えられる。
また、神経損傷に特異的な代謝経路の特定・考察は、脳虚血をはじめとする他の病態においても、新たな脳保護治療の開発の一助となり得ることが期待される。