Traumatic brain injury (TBI) afflicts people of all ages, with older adults having the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths among all age groups. Many of the issues and complications that TBI patients face are mediated by the immune response. Aging is a complex process which results in a decline of the immune system due to the altering of cellular production, proliferation and function resulting in an overall decline of immunocompetence. Injury sets off a chain reaction of immune cellular responses, the cell of interest in this project is TH2 cells, which have been shown to play a role in chronic inflammation. The purpose of this study was to explore if the age of an individual influences the TH2 cellular response in relation to traumatic brain injury. The TH2 cells used in the study were collected from younger (aged 21-64) and older (aged 65+) adult participants at < 24hours following mild/moderate TBI and at 3 months post injury. TH2 cells were stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and anti-CD3 and then incubated overnight. They were then analyzed for IL-5 production using the ELISpot assay. The number of cells producing IL-5 were counted, in triplicate, and the mean was taken to determine cellular response when stressed. The results were compared to determine if there is a difference between cytokine release amongst younger and older adults who experience TBI. By having a better understanding of how TH2 cell function is affected by age, we are exploring if overall outcomes following traumatic brain injuries are related to differential immune responses. This knowledge can potentially assist in identifying strategies to improve clinical outcomes.

The recent launch of bike-share programs in Seattle has brought to light a pertinent issue in public health that will continue to grow as their distribution increases across the city. While bike-shares promote physical activity and provide an alternative commute option, they also seem to be associated with decreased helmet use, which is associated with an increased risk of head injuries. The purpose of this study is to explore the issue of helmet use among bike-share riders on the University of Washington campus. By implementing a campus-wide cross-sectional survey, I gained important information about how Seattle's unique bike-share and helmet issue can be addressed on UW campus in the future. Participants in this study included UW students, faculty, and staff who were recruited by convenience sampling through email distribution. The survey was written with Catalyst WebQ online and had 21 questions evaluating participants general bike and helmet utilization habits on campus, barriers to helmet use with bike-shares, and awareness of Seattle's mandatory helmet law. I anticipate results to confirm a decrease in helmet use among bike-share users and reveal several barriers to wearing a helmet with bike-share bicycles. I will utilize the information from this research study to create a targeted helmet promotion campaign on UW campus in the Spring. In addition, this valuable information will be shared with local public health officials to inform health promotion endeavors over the coming years as bike-share programs continue to expand in the Seattle area.