Research on brain injury and recovery. Covers sports concussion policy, age and recovery, CTE in athletes, and deep brain stimulation.
Persistent concussion symptoms in children may be a sign of reduced brain function and decreased grey matter, according to researchers at the University of Queensland. The study found that poor sleep was linked to decreases in brain grey matter and reduced brain function, allowing for predictions of recovery outcomes with 86% accuracy.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki developed an artificial intelligence-based algorithm to improve intensive care for patients with severe traumatic brain injuries. The algorithm accurately predicts patient mortality within 30 days, showing promising results in a proof-of-concept study.
A new study from UBC's Okanagan campus aims to create better supports and outcomes for women survivors of intimate partner violence. The research found that many women experience traumatic brain injuries, with chronic symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and difficulty remembering.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine developed a cell therapy that transplants inhibitory neurons to improve memory precision after traumatic brain injury. The treatment prevented seizures in mice with traumatic brain injuries, showing promising results for potential human treatment.
A study found associations between default mode network connectivity and emotion recognition and social integration in individuals with moderate to severe brain injury. Increased prefrontal-temporal connectivity predicted participants' level of social integration, underscoring the importance of brain connectivity metrics in TBI recovery.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered that a traumatic brain injury causes changes in the amygdala, leading to increased fear responses and PTSD symptoms. The study found that rats with brain injuries exhibited abnormal neural activity in the amygdala and thalamus, suggesting potential new targets for treating PTSD.
A Rutgers study found that cycling-related facial and head injuries have remained steady despite an increase in bicyclists on the road. However, there was a significant rise in serious injuries among older adults, particularly those aged 55-64, with over 86,000 hospitalizations from 2008 to 2017.
The Penn Medicine team will analyze clinical data from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and age-related dementias to understand the mechanisms of TReND, a umbrella term for progressive neuropathologies after TBI. The study aims to establish diagnostic criteria for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and other forms of TReND.
Research by Imperial College London and the University of Turku found that premature babies transferred to a different hospital within 48 hours had an increased risk of severe brain injury. In contrast, staying in a hospital with a specialist neonatal unit was associated with a lower risk of death.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that transferring extremely premature babies from lower to higher level neonatal care units increases the risk of severe brain injury. Keeping these infants at lower level units after birth also results in a higher risk of death, compared to birth in a tertiary facility.
A study published in Neurology found that concussions can lead to lingering brain injuries even one year after athletes are cleared to return to play. Researchers used MRI scans to compare the brains of concussed and healthy athletes, finding reduced blood flow and signs of tissue swelling in concussed athletes.
A global trial has found that early treatment with tranexamic acid can reduce deaths from traumatic brain injuries by up to 20%, depending on the severity of injury. The study, published in The Lancet, included over 12,000 patients and showed a significant benefit in those with mild and moderate injuries.
A recent study has found greater signs of blood vessel damage than nerve damage in traumatic brain injuries, challenging the ongoing hypothesis that blunt force causes nerve damage. The researchers' discovery could influence the development of new treatments and therapies for TBI.
Researchers discovered traumatic microbleeds are a form of blood vessel injury following brain trauma, and predict poor outcomes. The study found that patients with severe head injuries were more likely to have microbleeds and greater disability.
Between 2008 and 2014, approximately 1,972 firearm-related eye injuries occurred in patients under 21, mostly sight-threatening and associated with severe trauma. Black patients were more likely to be injured in assaults, while white patients had a higher rate of self-inflicted firearm-related injuries.
A study of adolescent and adult athletes found evidence of damage to the brain's protective barrier, without a reported concussion. The researchers detected leaks in the blood-brain barrier using advanced MRI protocol and biomarkers, suggesting that mild impact can still cause significant trauma.
Researchers at CU School of Medicine have developed a new imaging method called 'fast MRI' that can effectively identify traumatic brain injuries in children without exposing them to ionizing radiation or anesthesia. The study found that fast MRI was completed successfully in nearly all cases, with accuracy similar to CT scans.
Dr. Kristin L. Garlanger has been awarded the Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development by the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Her research explores functional outcomes in patients with co-occurring traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, shedding light on ways to tailor rehabilitation protocols to improve outcomes.
Researchers found that female athletes had longer recovery trajectories and experienced more symptoms than males due to delayed presentation to specialist care. The study suggests that inequities in medical and athletic trainer coverage on the sidelines may contribute to these delays.
A new study of US cyclist injuries from 2002-2012 found that men and ethnic minorities were less likely to wear cycle helmets. The research also showed that helmet use significantly reduced the severity of injuries, hospital stay, and mortality rates for cyclists.
A study using sensor-enabled mouthguard technology and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI found that repetitive impacts cause damage to small blood vessels in the brain, leading to 'leaky' blood vessels visible on MRI scans. The research aims to improve player safety in sports with robust return-to-play guidelines.
Researchers identified NFIA as a central regulator of reactive astrocytes in brain injury. The study showed that NFIA plays different roles depending on the type of injury and region affected, hinting at an extensive reservoir of reactive astrocyte responses.
Researchers at Imperial College London visualized protein 'tangles' associated with dementia in patients who suffered a single head injury, showing collective likelihood of tau tangles and nerve damage. The study may accelerate treatment development by enabling medics to monitor tau protein levels.
A study by Purdue University researchers suggests that urine analysis can provide faster diagnosis and treatment for traumatic brain injuries, which could lead to improved outcomes for soldiers and athletes. The test checks for elevated levels of acrolein in the urine within seven days of injury.
Researchers studied tau protein accumulation after a single traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 32 individuals and found increased deposition of tau associated with poorer memory and cognitive performance. Higher tau levels were also linked to more severe neurodegeneration and damage to the brain's white matter.
Researchers found a correlation between facial emotion recognition deficits and poor community integration in individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Those with impaired emotional recognition displayed reduced community integration, suggesting a potential barrier to social isolation.
A study of US eScooter injuries found that most injured riders are men aged 20-40, with high rates of drug and alcohol use, and lack of helmet wear. The injury toll is expected to rise as eScooter popularity increases.
Researchers have developed a self-assembling peptide hydrogel that increases blood vessel regrowth and neuronal survival in rats with traumatic brain injuries. The treatment also improves the survival of brain cells and shows signs of new blood vessel formation.
A survey of over 3,400 former NFL players reveals a strong link between concussion history and low testosterone and erectile dysfunction. Researchers found that even relatively few concussion symptoms can increase the risk of ED, and the condition may persist for decades after injury.
A study of 8,857 children found that recreational sports led to more serious head injuries than contact sports, with bike riding and skateboarding causing the most frequent serious injuries. The research highlights the need for greater awareness and safety measures in recreational sports to prevent head injuries in children.
The guidelines for managing severe traumatic brain injury continue to evolve as new evidence emerges, emphasizing the need for high-quality research and clinically applicable recommendations. Key challenges and goals for the future include generating more robust evidence and translating it into effective patient care.
A study published in JAMA finds that measuring carbon dioxide levels through an artery is more accurate than using end-tidal capnography for pediatric brain trauma patients. The protocol developed by the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center has been widely used at Harborview Medical Center.
A study published in Brain Injury found that nearly three-quarters of traumatic brain injuries in children under 19 are caused by consumer products. Beds are a leading cause of non-fatal head injuries in infants, while contact sports pose the greatest risk to older children.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 studies found that non-invasive tests such as dilated pupils, abnormal posturing, and CT scan signs are not sufficient to diagnose increased intracranial pressure. Critically ill patients with suspected ICP should be transferred to a more expert centre for further monitoring.
The NCAA-DoD Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium has made nearly two-thirds of its data available globally. The dataset comprises 88 million data points and provides insights into concussion effects on the brain. Researchers can now collaborate more easily across the traumatic brain injury research field.
A study published in Brain Injury found that patients with mild concussions experienced reduced sense of smell within 24 hours of their accident, which returned to normal after six months. However, anxiety persisted for a year after the injury, affecting approximately 65% of concussed patients.
A new study reveals significant differences in brain tissue and connectivity between impacted patients and healthy individuals, particularly in the cerebellum. The findings may underlie clinical findings previously reported by the Penn team, suggesting a novel pathway for neurological symptoms.
Research analyzed mortality rates among 10,451 MLB players from 1906 to 2006, finding differences in death rates by position and career length. Longer playing careers were associated with lower cardiovascular-related deaths but increased cancer deaths.
A study by researchers at New York University Langone Health found that mandatory headgear use in women's lacrosse significantly reduces the rate of head and face injuries as well as concussions. The study showed a 76% lower injury rate compared to non-headgear wearing teams.
A team of researchers has created a novel technology that combines multi-spectral imaging and supercomputing to study brain pathology in concussions. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the injury's effects on brain cells, enabling the development of new treatment regimens.
The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement to improve prediction of recovery in comatose cardiac arrest survivors. Current practices often lead to premature predictions, resulting in unnecessary suffering or withdrawal of care too soon.
A Danish study found that people with concussion are more likely to lose their jobs five years after the trauma, particularly those in their thirties and with higher education. Long-term symptoms like fatigue and difficulty concentrating can significantly impact work performance.
A new athletic training method has been shown to reduce head injuries in high school football players, with a 26-33% decline in head impacts during games. The training technique, developed by UMass Lowell Prof. Erik Swartz, aims to teach players to avoid hitting their heads as the first point of contact and improve tackling abilities.
Researchers found that two specific biomarkers were elevated in athletes who experienced concussions, indicating potential for longer recovery times. The study suggests these biomarkers could aid in predicting which athletes are more likely to need extended recovery periods after concussion.
A new study by Ohio State University finds that 81% of women who have experienced domestic violence have suffered a head injury, while 83% have been strangled. The research suggests that brain injury caused by blows to the head and oxygen deprivation are ongoing health issues for many survivors.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that nearly 1 in 7 brain-injured ICU patients show evidence of hidden consciousness just days after injury. Patients with such signs are more likely to recover, according to researchers at Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian. The technique used to detect hidden con...
A study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that younger age and higher intelligence are associated with greater cognitive recovery after TBI. Cognitive reserve also plays a significant role in the recovery process, suggesting that rehabilitation strategies should take these factors into account.
A study in CMAJ provides new insights into the decision-making processes of critical care physicians and families in withdrawing life-sustaining treatments from critically ill patients with severe brain injury. Key findings include the influence of patient circumstances, family wishes, severity and location of the injury, past physicia...
Electric scooter use has led to a tripling of facial and head injuries over the past decade, with most victims being men between 19 and 65. The study found that helmet use increased with age, but many state laws do not address adults, who are the most injured.
Researchers received funding to investigate novel approaches to address caregiver grief, sleep dysfunction, balance problems, upper limb function deficits, memory issues, and fatigue in TBI survivors. Studies aim to enhance learning, motor skills, and functional recovery through targeted interventions.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that elementary school-aged children participating in recreational sports are at a greater risk of concussion than other injuries. Researchers collected data on over 1,500 athletes and found that 12 were diagnosed with concussions during the two-year study.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found that low-frequency magnetic stimulation improved cognitive and motor function in rodents with concussions. The therapy also protected the brain from future degeneration and restored normal sleep patterns.
Researchers found that transcranial random noise stimulation improved participants' motion integration thresholds, enabling better learning of visual cues. The technique also showed long-term retention of benefits, suggesting a promising approach for overcoming key hurdles in vision therapy.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a DURIP grant to purchase equipment that can determine the severity of brain injuries, even those that are not immediately apparent. The new equipment will be used to expand associate professor Ashfaq Adnan's research in damage detection for blast-related traumatic brain injuries.
A La Trobe University study has found significant levels of fatigue and poor brain function can persist after concussion, with implications for diagnosis and treatment of persistent post-concussion syndrome (PCS). The study used innovative brain technology to assess brain functioning in a way that has never been done before.
Spatial neglect affects over half of stroke survivors, causing functional disability and poor motor recovery. Implementing a care pathway can improve outcomes by incorporating assessment and treatment options.
A VA-led study found that veterans and service members with combat-related mild traumatic brain injuries have higher levels of abnormally fast brain waves in regions critical for consciousness. This discovery may help target brain-stimulation therapies for cognitive deficits associated with TBI.
The Excellence in Prehospital Injury Care Project has doubled the survival rate of severe traumatic brain injury victims and tripled the survival rate among those who were intubated. First responders are now taught to treat and prevent the
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a specific set of brain cells that are particularly susceptible to harm from low oxygen exposure in early development. The discovery has implications for preventing brain injuries in premature babies, who often suffer from poor neurodevelopmental outcomes.
A new study by University of California, Irvine researchers tracked several dozen male collegiate water polo players over three seasons to map out the frequency of head injuries in the sport. The study found that offensive players were more likely to get battered than defensive and transition positions.