Articles tagged with Brain Injuries
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 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%.
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.
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.
A new blood protein test can detect the severity of head trauma with high accuracy and speed, potentially saving millions in medical expenses annually. The research team developed a point-of-care testing device that uses a hand-held device to measure glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in patient blood.
Researchers developed a point-of-care GFAP assay that delivers results in minutes, outperforming the current FDA-cleared assay. The assay's diagnostic performance was significantly better than that of the S100B biomarker, validating its utility as a diagnostic marker for CT-detected lesions.
A recent study by Henry Ford Health found that high school athletes in various sports, including soccer, hockey, and cheerleading, are at risk of concussions. The study revealed that younger brains take longer to heal from concussions, with memory scores increasing with repeated injuries.
Even mild concussions can lead to severe and long-lasting impairments in the brain's ability to clean itself of toxins, potentially seeding Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The discovery sheds light on why repeated brain injuries are so harmful and suggests a reason for varying effects among individuals.
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) has been extended with a simple method to impute missing verbal component scores. Using a distribution of verbal scores for each combination of eye and motor scores, clinicians can now easily determine the GCS sum score when verbal data is missing, aiding in clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Ashfaq Adnan, a UTA mechanical engineer, will expand his research on traumatic brain injuries using a multi-material 3D printer and high-speed cameras. The new equipment enables the capture of realistic images of brain injuries, which could lead to better detection and treatment methods.
Researchers at UVA Health System discovered that many microglial cells originate from blood monocytes, which transform into troops to defend the brain after infant strokes. This finding sheds light on the development of brain's immune defenses and has implications for understanding newborn brain injury.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that concussions can cause persistent and common sleep problems, affecting quality of life. The research tracked 378 patients with concussions for one year, revealing that 53% experienced sleep or daytime problems lasting three months or longer.
Researchers report that traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, as well as chronic pain. Studies highlight the importance of addressing dysfunctional coping mechanisms and supporting patients' social connections to improve outcomes.
A UArizona-TGen led team identified robust biomarkers through proteomics and metabolomic analysis that could help guide treatment for tens of millions of patients who sustain traumatic brain injuries. The study found that RIC (Remote Ischemic Conditioning) can be an effective intervention in preventing severe long-term disabilities.
Researchers at UC San Diego Health are conducting a national trial to evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in treating severe brain injuries. The study aims to reduce brain swelling and increase oxygenation to neurological tissues, promoting restorative responses over inflammatory ones.
A Purdue University team, led by Gaurav Chopra and Riyi Shi, received a $1.3 million grant to develop biomarkers and treatments for traumatic brain injury-related Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The researchers aim to improve understanding of microglial cell states in the context of TBI-related neurodegenerative dementia.
A recent study published in Orthopedics found that high school athletes require at least one month of recovery following a concussion. The study analyzed data from 357 adolescents who sustained one or more concussions and found that those with multiple concussions required longer recovery times, up to 30 days.
A new study found that police officers are at a higher risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than the general public, with 38.9% reporting a TBI resulting in loss of consciousness. Officers with a history of TBI also experienced higher levels of post-concussion symptoms and mental health issues, including depression and PTSD.
A recent study by Durham University found that rugby players continue to suffer from injuries after retirement, with back pain and joint pain being common complaints. The study also revealed that concussion is the most common injury among rugby players, with a significant association with long-term impact.
Researchers at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research have found that cathepsin B levels are increased in areas of injured brain relevant to critical executive functions. The study suggests that cathepsin B could be used as a blood-based biomarker to identify TBI severity within different brain regions and cerebral spinal fluid.
A new memory game helps researchers understand how brain regions process sensory information and remember skills after traumatic brain injury. The game reveals that certain areas of the brain, such as S1 and S2, have both localized and distributed processing roles.
A study from the NIH found that neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a superior blood biomarker for diagnosing and predicting traumatic brain injury. NfL was shown to distinguish patients with TBI from controls even months to years after injury, providing a potential diagnostic option.
A study from the NIH confirms that neurofilament light chain in blood can detect brain injury and predict recovery across all stages of traumatic brain injury. The biomarker also showed strong diagnostic ability for sports-related concussions.
A new study found that a simple blood test can accurately predict concussion severity and duration, similar to expensive and invasive spinal taps. The test measures neurofilament light chain levels in the blood, which correlate strongly with the severity of concussions.
A new study found that high school girls' lacrosse players who don't wear mandatory hard shell helmets are more likely to get concussions, which could be prevented with proper gear. The researchers also discovered that stick or ball contact is the most common cause of concussion in girls' lacrosse.
Researchers developed a modified dynamic contrast-enhanced-MRI protocol to detect chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in football players. The test measures blood-brain barrier leakage, revealing localized vascular pathology that persists for months in affected players.
A study from University of Gothenburg found that COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe symptoms exhibited brain injury signs, including elevated GFAP and NfL biomarkers. These biomarkers were also associated with disease severity and ventilator treatment.
A new study analyzed data from over 825 trauma centers in the US to identify factors associated with withdrawing life-supporting treatment in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. The findings suggest that demographic and clinical characteristics play a significant role in these decisions.
A study found that brain pulses emerge after an immobilizing illness or injury, activating main motor circuits to reactivate upon mobility restoration. The discovery may lead to advancements in treating patients with broken limbs or stroke survivors.
A new educational program, including a video made with Baltimore youth's ideas, increased bike helmet use among urban children by 80%. The program, tested in 2017, aims to improve helmet safety measures for low-income and minority families.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute created a simple 'sniff test' that accurately predicts which brain-injured patients will regain consciousness. The test, which measures nasal airflow patterns in response to odors, showed 92% accuracy in predicting patient survival for at least three years.
Researchers found that immune receptor TLR4 suppresses neuronal activity in the normal brain to improve signal-to-noise ratio, while increasing excitability after injury. Inhibiting TLR4 signaling reduces long-term working memory deficits and improves memory function weeks to a month after brain injury.
An analysis of medical insurance claims and productivity data reveals that non-fatal US injuries result in an estimated $1,590 and 11 days off work per injured employee every year. The study found that total medical costs for emergency care visits exceed $133 billion annually.
Ann McKee will lead a collaboration to characterize brain donors with and without a history of RHI and/or TBI, determining their neuropathological and clinical phenotypes. The goal is to identify the neuropathological features of TBI-related neurodegeneration and its association with dementia and parkinsonism.
Computational simulations help clinicians visualize AHT impact and predict short- and long-term effects. The study reveals CSF protection is limited to the first shake, with repeated shakes causing brain damage.