Glutamate Receptor Peptides in Acute Neurotrauma

This chapter presents data supporting the hypothesis that glutamate neuroreceptor peptides are specific biomarkers of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and compromised cerebral blood flow following neurotrauma. Specifically, the authors propose that three key brain biomarkers might be utilized to improve diagnostic certainty of the consequences of acute neurotrauma: α‎-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and kainate receptor peptides. AMPA receptor peptides are associated with subcortical DAI, while NMDA and kainate receptors peptides predominantly reflect arterial and venous circulations in cortical and brainstem areas, respectively. Feasibility studies of these biomarkers in the blood of patients with neurotrauma are presented in conjunction with neuroimaging and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores.