Morphological and genetic activation of microglia after diffuse traumatic brain injury in the rat

► Morphologically activated microglia seen up to 28 days after diffuse brain injury. ► Inflammatory genes acutely elevated in thalamus & cortex after diffuse TBI. ► Anti-inflammatory genes acutely elevated after diffuse TBI. ► Translocator protein 18 kDa receptor binding validated qPCR results. ► Acute ibuprofen administration attenuated classical inflammatory genes in the VPM.