Cell therapy for treatment of traumatic brain injury: Utility of different tests for functional assessment

Objetives: This study evaluated the sensitivity of a series of tests to quantify the functional deficits in a model of experimental brain contusion and its usefulness for detecting functional recovery after cell therapy with adult stem cells. Methods: The tests used in this study were the Rota-rod test, the test of neurological impairment assessment (also known as mNSS), and finally the Smart software, that analyzes changes in the behavior of animals. Adult Wistar rats (N: 20) were assessed 3 days before traumatic brain injury (TBI) and for 2 months after injury. After this time, 3x10(6) adult stem cells, obtained from bone marrow stroma, suspended in saline, with a total volume of approximately 30 IL (n: 10), or the same volume of saline without stem cells (n: 10), were intracerebrally administered. The rats were followed for two months. Results: We obtained functional improvement after adult stem cells administration. On the other hand, the tests used in this study distinguish between injured and healthy animals. Conclusions: Cell therapy using adult stromal cells is useful for functional improvement after TBI.