Research on brain injury and recovery. Covers sports concussion policy, age and recovery, CTE in athletes, and deep brain stimulation.
A new tool called PhenoBench standardizes data analysis for traumatic brain injury (TBI), enabling researchers to identify patient subgroups for personalized care. The study aims to provide tailored treatments that improve recovery and reduce long-term consequences of TBI.
A new study from the VA, Regenstrief Institute, and IUPUI analyzed healthcare utilization among TBI patients and found that a quarter were super-utilizers. The research also identified disparities in care based on health insurance and residency status.
A new visio-vestibular examination (VVE) has been found to enhance concussion diagnosis and management in young athletes. The VVE involves brief eye movement and balance tests identifying deficits in brain function involving the visual and vestibular systems.
Researchers developed an ultrasensitive assay to measure cathepsin B in blood, detecting the biomarker for a range of disease states. This breakthrough aims to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for conditions such as traumatic brain injury.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a hydrogel, known as 'brain glue,' that mimics the composition and mechanics of the brain. The gel has been shown to protect against loss of brain tissue after severe TBI and may aid in functional neural repair.
A University of Birmingham-led study has identified a method to accurately diagnose concussion using saliva, providing a new laboratory-based non-invasive salivary biological concussion test. The test uses biomarkers that can indicate if a player has been concussed and provide insights into the body's response to injury.
Researchers have identified distinct chemical signatures for concussion in the spit of elite male rugby players, suggesting a potential non-invasive diagnostic test. The findings could help diagnose concussions at all levels of participation, particularly at grass-roots levels where medical assessments are not readily available.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive pressure sensor cap that can help reveal whether a helmet is a perfect fit for an individual player's head. The device uses fabric-based sensors that map pressure in real-time, providing valuable information on helmet fit and potentially reducing the severity of sports-related head injuries.
A Northwestern Medicine pilot study found that high levels of progesterone during the menstrual cycle can reduce stress after a concussion and speed recovery. Increased blood flow to the brain is also linked to lower stress symptom levels, providing new insights into how female athletes may recover from concussions.
Researchers found that poor sleep leads to increased signs of brain waste and post-concussive symptoms among veterans with traumatic brain injuries. A new technique developed at OHSU measures the brain's waste-clearance system through MRIs.
Researchers found that drinking pomegranate juice daily during pregnancy reduced the risk of brain injury in infants with intrauterine growth restriction. The study suggests that polyphenols in pomegranate juice may provide neuroprotection, and further studies are planned to confirm these findings.
A recent study published in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology found that head injuries in people under 50 can lead to lower cognitive scores at age 70. The researchers discovered a small but significant impact on brain health and thinking skills, potentially accelerating the normal aging process.
Researchers at UTA are investigating smart protective helmets that can sense head and brain injuries, allowing for rapid medical treatment. The project aims to improve the well-being of soldiers in combat by detecting brain trauma and preventing further damage.
A new Penn Medicine research reveals that a single head injury can lead to dementia later in life, with the risk further increasing with more head injuries. Women and white participants are at higher risk of dementia after head injury compared to men and black participants.
A new study found that self-paced physical and cognitive activity after a concussion does not hasten or prolong recovery in children and teens. Increased daily step count was associated with early symptom resolution, but the association was not statistically significant.
Researchers found that complement inhibition can reverse mental losses after traumatic brain injury, even when treatment is delayed until two months post-injury. The study showed that blocking complement interrupted neurodegeneration and improved cognitive function.
Researchers have identified 40 genes that suppress axon regeneration in central nervous system cells, hindering recovery from brain and spinal cord injuries. By editing out one gene, they restored axons in mouse models with glaucoma, suggesting a potential new approach to treating neural damage.
A new study identifies a potential link between blast exposure and Alzheimer's disease in soldiers. Researchers found that even healthy neurons with subtle synaptic pathology may be an early indicator of Alzheimer's-type pathogenesis.
A recent CT scan study of the mummy of Pharaoh Seqenenre-Taa-II provides new insights into his death, revealing that he was executed by multiple attackers and that embalmers skillfully concealed some head wounds. The study also suggests that Seqenenre was about 40 years old at the time of his death.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland has identified two potential biomarkers, miR-9a-3p and miR-136-3p, which could serve as diagnostic biomarkers for mild traumatic brain injury. These microRNAs were found to be elevated in both animal models and human patients, suggesting their potential use in diagnosing the condition....
The new guidelines cover patient triage, imaging, observation versus admission, transfer, discharge and follow-up to help clinicians diagnose and treat children's head injuries. They aim to reduce unnecessary exposure to radiation from CT scans while ruling out bleeding disorders.
Researchers find that using metformin can restore a healthier balance between immune cell subtypes, inhibiting chronic inflammation and improving outcomes in traumatic brain injury patients. The study suggests a potential new therapy approach to reduce TBI damage and promote recovery.
A new study found that between 11% to 27% of healthy college athletes reported symptoms meeting criteria for post-concussion syndrome, with lack of sleep, pre-existing mental health problems, and stress being the most likely predictors. The research suggests that baseline symptoms may help interpret recovery scores and that individuali...
Researchers found that rotational deceleration causes tremendous egg yolk deformation, shedding light on brain deformation during impacts. This finding suggests that rotational impact is more harmful to brain matter than direct translational impact.
Researchers discovered myelomonocytic cells that enter the brain too quickly and cause devastating damage, while a slower subset helps repair damaged vessels. Administering treatment within six hours of injury can reduce swelling and improve outcomes.
Research estimates that one in three women experience intimate partner violence and up to 90% suffer head trauma. However, data is scarce on the cognitive and psychological effects of this trauma. A new international effort aims to understand the ramifications of injuries and develop personalized treatment strategies.
A UMass Lowell researcher has received a $700,000 NIH grant to explore the effectiveness of virtual reality-based rehabilitation for young people with traumatic brain injuries. The therapy aims to improve cognitive functioning and enhance quality of life for these patients.
A NIH-supported workshop reveals gaps in knowledge about the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in women, including sex-based differences in outcomes and responses to treatment. Research opportunities include imaging studies, examination of brain tissue, and longitudinal studies on military-related TBI in female servicemembers.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a link between gut disease and brain injury in premature infants. The study found that an immune system cell called CD4+ T cells travels from the gut to the brain and attacks healthy cells, leading to severe brain injury.
A new study suggests that a bedside EEG test can aid in prognosis for unresponsive brain injury patients by measuring their response to speech. The strength of these responses is correlated with the patient's outcome and can help clinicians make effective treatment decisions.
A recent study found that college football players significantly underestimated their risk of injury and concussion, with 43-91% of respondents believing they were at lower risk than the actual probability. The researchers called for greater awareness and informed consent among athletes to mitigate this concern.
A two-year grant from the New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research is funding a study by Dr. Jean Lengenfelder at Kessler Foundation to test a new treatment for emotional processing deficits in children with TBI. The research aims to improve emotional processing skills, social interactions, and quality of life for affected children.
Dr. Helen Genova will lead a three-year randomized controlled trial using virtual reality job training to improve social competency skills for individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, aiming to increase employment outcomes. The study is the first to use this program in this population.
Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University found that stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles can reduce severe intraventricular hemorrhage-induced brain injuries in newborn rats. The neuroprotection is primarily mediated by BDNF transfer via EVs, providing a promising potential treatment for bleeding in the brain.
A study found that nearly half of adolescents who sought specialty care for a concussion were back to driving within two weeks, despite few returning to exercise and sports. The researchers recommend a staged approach to cognitive activities, including driving, with clinicians implementing a gradual return-to-driving protocol.
Researchers have found that gait training using robotic exoskeletons significantly improved motor function in adolescents and young adults with acquired brain injury, including increased loading, longer step length, and faster walking speed. However, further studies are needed to confirm the training effect and optimal dosing protocol.
A team of scientists discovered that natural antibiotics produced in wounds can increase sleep and raise the chances for surviving an injury. The researchers found that these antimicrobial peptides act as long-range messenger molecules, signaling the need for sleep to the nervous system.
A new therapeutic method protects neurons and minimizes cognitive dysfunction by delivering targeted drugs to the brain after minor head injuries in individuals with extensive previous sleep deprivation. The treatment involves titanium dioxide capsules with cerebrolysin, promoting the production of essential hormones and proteins to co...
A study from Oregon Health & Science University found that damage to a small number of brain cells can stop activity across a vast network of neural circuits. This effect, known as the bystander effect, may help explain temporary but severe loss of cognitive function in traumatic brain injury or disease cases.
A large prospective study found a link between kidney injuries and cognitive impairment in children with diabetic ketoacidosis. The study suggests that the presence of acute kidney injury is associated with lower IQ scores and subtle cognitive impairment.
A new special edition of Rehabilitation Psychology examines the diverse ways caring for an individual with TBI impacts well-being, including family life, mood, physical health, sleep and social relationships. A unique tool called the TBI-CareQOL Measurement System helps standardize measures for quality of life in caregivers.
Dr. Olga Boukrina receives a $10,000 grant to study reading deficits in stroke survivors and develop personalized treatment for aphasia. Her ongoing research aims to identify markers that can help clinicians detect reading problems early in rehabilitative care.
A three-year grant has been awarded to Montclair State University and Kessler Foundation researchers to explore treatments for long-term memory impairments in individuals with traumatic brain injury. The study aims to develop innovative treatment strategies directed at process-specific remediation of cognitive and neural mechanisms und...
Researchers have discovered that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can swell immediately after an injury or stroke, leading to a more efficient clearance of toxic proteins from the brain. This breakthrough could lead to new insights into health and disease, as well as novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
A recent study by Dr. Jeff Russell highlights the risks of concussions for performing artists, particularly stunt performers, who often go unnoticed in comparison to athletes. The research emphasizes the need for better treatment guidelines and healthcare resources for this segment of performers.
Researchers explore the role of cannabinoids in limiting secondary damage of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), where inflammation can accelerate after initial injury. By inhibiting an enzyme that worsens TBI outcomes, cannabinoids may help restore a healthy balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses.
A UVA-led study found significant brain changes in military and law enforcement personnel exposed to low-level blasts, including increased brain injury and inflammation. The study also found differences in blood flow, brain structure, and brain activity.
A new study recommends reducing soccer players' head injury risk by inflating balls to lower pressures and subbing them out when wet. Inflating balls to pressures on the lower end of NCAA and FIFA ranges could reduce forces associated with potential head injury by about 20%.
Researchers found a new metric, PPT, that quantifies impaired sensory acuity after TBI, which is associated with higher balance dysfunction. This study has implications for rehabilitating individuals with TBI.
A large-scale study found that electrical stimulation of the throat improved swallowing problems in patients with neurological conditions, allowing them to be discharged from hospital. The treatment was safe and easy to use, with most patients showing significant improvement in their ability to swallow.
The use of brain magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise in treating depression, PTSD, and cognitive issues in military populations, but the effectiveness remains unclear. A review of nine clinical trials found mixed results, with some studies showing improvement while others found no benefit.
Military personnel with extensive occupational blast exposure showed significant differences in brain imaging measures, including increased cortical thickness and neural inflammation. The study provides insight into the functional and structural neuroimaging alterations occurring in this population.
Swollen neurons are less likely to exhibit overactivity associated with long-term TBI complications. Researchers propose a more nuanced approach to managing cerebral swelling, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injuries.
Researchers are combining global MRI data to predict outcomes and develop new treatments for traumatic brain injury, a major cause of disability. By pooling resources and analyzing large datasets, they aim to tackle complex questions about brain function and recovery.
A study published in Henry Ford Health System shows that head and neck injuries account for nearly 28% of all electric scooter accident injuries, with concussions and internal organ injuries being the most common types.
A patient with akinetic mutism, a rare condition causing temporary paralysis and speech absence, experiences a remarkable recovery after taking a sleeping pill. Brain scans reveal overactive brain regions that can be suppressed by the medication, allowing for temporary speech and movement.
A machine learning program using neural networks analyzes 1.4 million data points to predict which babies and children are most likely to suffer brain injury after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) treatment, outperforming human clinicians.
A new Expert Panel Discussion examines the status of blood-based biomarker development and point-of-care testing for concussion diagnosis. The discussion highlights the potential benefits of specific biomarkers in detecting brain trauma masked by other injuries or symptoms, adding value over current clinical methods.
A pioneering study by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers found light therapy to be safe and measurable in the brain, showing promise as a treatment for TBI. The study included 68 patients with moderate traumatic brain injury and found statistically significant differences in myelin integrity surrounding neurons.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that astrocytes are crucial for maintaining the blood-brain barrier's health. The finding has significant implications for understanding and treating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and traumatic brain injury.