Research on brain injury and recovery. Covers sports concussion policy, age and recovery, CTE in athletes, and deep brain stimulation.
The study advocates for a holistic approach to understanding concussion, analyzing complex problems as whole systems and integrating research findings. Researchers hope this new method will lead to better diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of TBI.
A recent study found that state-level TBI laws lead to a significant decline in the rate of recurrent concussions among US high school athletes approximately 2.5 years after implementation. The laws are reported to increase initial concussion reports and reduce recurrent concussions.
Scientists have discovered a key protein controlling ferroptosis, a highly regulated cell death process that plays a role in health and disease. The research links ferroptosis to diseases such as asthma, kidney injury, and brain trauma, suggesting potential drug targets for treatment.
Researchers found that transcranial electrical stimulation significantly improved neural function in participants with mild traumatic brain injury, as shown by reduced abnormal slow-waves in MEG scans. The treatment also led to a significant reduction in post-concussion scores.
A recent evidence review found that collision sports, such as youth rugby, carry high rates of injury, including concussions. Experts argue that banning tackle and scrum in school rugby could significantly reduce these risks. In contrast, other strategies like wearing protective equipment have weak evidence supporting their effectiveness.
Researchers at Brigham Young University have developed a nano composite smartfoam that measures the impact of hits via electrical signals, collecting data in real time to determine impact severity and location. The technology has shown 90% accuracy in measuring concussion risks, revolutionizing football safety protocols.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has assembled a world-class research enterprise to develop groundbreaking approaches for treating brain diseases and injuries. Researchers will collaborate on complex projects using expertise in neurodegenerative disease, regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapies.
Neutrophils, white blood cells that can cause damage after a hemorrhagic stroke, can be trained to release beneficial molecules like lactoferrin. This could lead to a new therapeutic approach for reducing brain damage after the injury.
A Rutgers University study suggests that excessive neurogenesis after a traumatic head injury can lead to epileptic seizures and long-term cognitive decline. By preventing this process with a drug, the rate of brain cell birth returned to normal levels, reducing the risk of seizures.
Girls are significantly more likely than boys to return to play the same day after a soccer-related concussion, with over half of female athletes resuming play within 24 hours. This finding highlights the need for improved education and awareness among parents, coaches, and medical staff to prevent premature returns to play.
A study of 108 child patients found that 76% sustained at least one bone fracture, with skull fractures accounting for nearly half of all fractures. Children under 16 years old should not drive golf carts, and those using them should do so at cautious speeds.
Researchers used high-speed photography to study the formation of small bubbles in liquids, which can cause destructive shockwaves and potentially lead to brain trauma. The team developed an alternative formula to predict when cavitation will occur, with potential applications for athletic safety devices and military blast protection.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Professor Songbai Ji is developing highly specific computer models of the head and brain to better diagnose concussions in real time. The models use neuroimaging data to assess injury risk and simulate real-time impact, providing athletic trainers with valuable tools to assess athlete safety.
Researchers evaluate innovative treatments for common emotional problems after TBI, including videoconferencing technology and web-based interventions. Participants show significant improvements in emotional regulation, positive emotions, and problem-solving skills.
A drug originally developed in the 1960s as an antiviral medication is showing promise in reducing aggression in traumatic brain injury patients. Amantadine, taken twice daily at 100mg, has been found to decrease aggression in multiple studies, improving quality of life for affected individuals.
Researchers developed PupilScreen, a smartphone app that detects changes in pupil's response to light using AI-powered deep learning tools, promising improved diagnosis accuracy for concussion and TBI. The app can be used by coaches, parents, medics, and others on the sidelines of sports games or in emergency situations.
Researchers found overlap in activity of anterior cingulate cortex indicating pattern of self-regulation triggered by cognitive fatigue. The study broadens understanding of disease entities associated with lower threshold for cognitive fatigue.
A ground-breaking concussion study is underway, involving rugby players, to develop a rapid test for diagnosing concussions. The test, which measures biomarkers present in saliva and urine, has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of brain trauma, particularly in sports.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan campus have developed a new technique using ultrasound equipment to measure brain blood flow, providing a potential tool for diagnosing concussions. The study found a clear link between the brain injury and changes in blood flow response.
A recent study of over 5 years of pediatric patients treated for sports concussion found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed structural changes to the brain related to persistent symptoms. However, the study indicated that MRI in children with persistent symptoms after concussion rarely identified brain injury.
A retrospective study of nearly 1,100 patients with severe TBI found that ICP monitoring was associated with a significant decrease in mortality rates, but no improvement in favorable outcomes. The study also showed that ICP monitoring was linked to more aggressive therapy.
Research suggests that traumatic brain injuries in childhood and adolescence can increase the risk of alcohol abuse problems in adulthood. The study found a clearer link between brain injury and alcohol abuse in people who suffered an injury before age 5, with children under 5 being over 3.6 times more likely to exhibit substance abuse...
The University of Michigan Injury Center has received $2.5 million from the CDC to continue its research on preventing injuries such as opioid overdoses, concussion, and motor vehicle crashes. The center aims to reduce injury by publishing innovative research and translating it into practice for local communities.
Children who develop brain injury due to non-fatal drowning often suffer from severe motor deficits, while maintaining relatively intact perceptual and cognitive abilities. The study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess brain integrity in 11 children with quadriplegia caused by drowning-induced brain injury.
Researchers found that trigeminal nerve stimulation increased cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain in animal models with traumatic brain injury, reducing secondary injury. This study provides strong evidence for the potential of TNS as a novel therapeutic strategy for managing TBI.
Researchers found that memantine significantly reduced blood levels of neuron-specific enolase, a marker of neuronal damage, in patients with moderate TBI. The study also showed marked improvements in Glasgow Coma Scale scores on day 3, indicating potential therapeutic benefits.
Researchers analyzed concussion data from national high school surveillance system, finding a decrease in severe symptoms like amnesia and an increase in dizziness and light sensitivity. Clinicians may be over-diagnosing concussions, while diagnostic tools have shifted to more computerized and non-invasive methods.
A new research group at the University of Cambridge aims to improve care for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in low- and middle-income countries. The group will focus on preventing, investigating, treating, and improving outcomes for head-injured patients in these regions.
A UTA professor's study found that many parents have a limited understanding of concussions and their impact on children's futures. The research highlights the importance of educating caregivers to recognize symptoms and protect youth athletes.
Researchers found elevated levels of two brain injury markers, neurofilament light chain and tau, in active professional fighters compared to retired fighters or non-fighters. These markers may signify permanent traumatic brain injury with long-term consequences.
Newcastle University experts warn of the dangers of rugby tackling in school sport, highlighting a 67% reduction in concussion risk from removing body checks in youth ice-hockey. The study calls for governments to protect children under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child by removing avoidable harm.
Two studies published in PLOS Medicine reveal a high burden of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the European Union and China. In the EU, 17,049 TBI deaths occurred in 2013, translating into 374,636 years lost to life. Similarly, in China, age-adjusted TBI mortality increased from 13.23 per 100,000 population in 2006 to 17.06 in 2008, ...
Research reveals a key physical difference in the brains of military-trained individuals with PTSD, specifically a larger right amygdala volume. This finding has potential implications for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.
Experts warn that concussions in Para athletes are a growing concern due to the high-risk nature of certain sports. Key findings include a lack of guidance on managing concussion in Para sports and inadequate assessment tools, making it challenging to identify and address potential head injuries.
Scientists have identified three inflammatory biomarkers that can detect traumatic brain injury (TBI) within hours of occurrence. The discovery could lead to the development of a test for diagnosing TBI on the sidelines of sports pitches or by paramedics, allowing for timely treatment and reduced disability.
Research from the VA TBI Model System reveals differences in characteristics and outcomes between military and civilian traumatic brain injury patients. These findings have important implications for treatment and long-term care of veterans with TBI.
A retrospective cohort study of over 40,000 TBI patients found a significant increase in dementia risk after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Those with mild TBI had a 1.6% diagnosis rate, while those with moderate-to-severe TBI had a 3.5% diagnosis rate, highlighting the increased risk in middle-aged individuals.
A study of over 40,000 Finnish adults with TBI found a significant link between TBI and dementia in working-age adults. The risk of dementia among TBI survivors remains high even years after the injury, suggesting that TBI may trigger a process leading to dementia.
A new study from the University of Cincinnati found that wearing colored lenses, such as blue, green, red, and purple, can provide significant relief from photophobia in post-concussion patients. This innovative approach offers a practical and comfortable alternative to dark sunglasses, which may not be suitable for all situations.
A study of nearly 130 adolescent and young women with sports-related concussions found an association between concussion and abnormal menstrual bleeding patterns. The researchers observed a higher incidence of irregular bleeding among those with concussions compared to non-injured controls.
During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, more than 60% of players involved in head collisions were not assessed by sideline health care personnel. This study highlights the importance of independent assessment and management of suspected concussions in soccer players.
Researchers found that multiparous female mice had increased metabolic risk but showed surprising resistance to ischemic brain injury and improved behavioral recovery after stroke. They exhibited less brain inflammation, smaller injuries, and enhanced angiogenesis compared to non-reproducing females.
Neurologists and neurotraumatologists review the science of concussions and outline areas where neuroscience and clinical research can help create consensus. They emphasize the importance of diagnosis in treatment and suggest using animal models to discover better treatment plans.
Researchers led by Barclay Morrison will examine concussion injury and recovery mechanisms using in vivo, in vitro, and computational models. The goal is to develop effective methods for preventing and treating concussion, with potential benefits for both acute and persisting neurocognitive dysfunction.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that female mice experience a markedly reduced response to traumatic brain injury (TBI), including reduced inflammation and nerve cell death. In contrast, male mice exhibit skyrocketing inflammation and nerve cell death in the week following TBI.
A new study found that 17 physical health conditions are associated with an increased risk of suicide, with traumatic brain injury and sleep disorders representing a greater than twofold increase. Targeted interventions in primary care and specialty care may be key to preventing suicides.
The grants will support pre-clinical and clinical diagnostic and therapeutic research, including the development of new imaging agents and clinical trials on therapy safety and efficacy. The Brain SAFTIE initiative aims to identify gaps in existing knowledge and facilitate collaboration among experts.
Researchers found long-term retinal injury and inflammation after blast exposure, even without detectable brain damage. The retina may serve as a sensitive indicator of low-level blast injury, helping identify individuals at risk of visual impairment.
Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti was awarded the 2017 Mitchell Rosenthal Memorial lecturer for her contributions to cognitive rehabilitation research and successful mentorship of postdoctoral fellows.
In a breakthrough study, Johns Hopkins researchers identified a new way that the brain communicates with the immune system, using vesicles and small fat-like molecules to send signals. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for brain injuries by targeting the inflammatory response.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has received a $47.8 million gift to establish the Marcus Institute for Brain Health and build a network of mental health clinics across the US. The Cohen Veterans Network will partner with CU Anschutz to provide free, low-cost care to veterans and their families.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that US military service members who experienced a mild concussion after blast injury may continue to experience mental health symptoms and decreased quality of life for at least five years. The study also highlights the need for more effective, long-term treatment strategies.
A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology recommends that families ask if their loved one qualifies for body cooling to reduce brain injury. The guideline found strong evidence that therapeutic hypothermia is effective in improving brain function.
New research confirms even mild brain injury can cause impulsivity problems in rats, with levels of inflammatory molecule interleukin-12 linked to impulsivity. The study found that impulsivity persisted eight weeks after injury, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment and potential new treatment targets.
A Rutgers University study suggests that lithium, used to treat bipolar disorder, may prevent brain cell damage and stop the chemical glutamate from sending signals to other cells. The research found that lithium and rapamycin protected nerve cells in the brain and stopped further brain cell damage.
Research suggests a simple saliva test can predict which children will experience prolonged concussion symptoms, providing a more accurate prognosis than standard survey questions. The study found that salivary miRNA levels were significantly more effective in predicting prolonged concussion symptoms than SCAT-3 surveys.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that 72% of patients with concussive blast TBI experienced a decline in disability over five years. Satisfaction with life and psychiatric symptom severity were worse in these patients compared to combat-deployed service members without TBI.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have published a new international consensus statement on concussion in sport, which includes new guidelines for detecting, assessing, treating, and preventing sport-related concussions. The statement emphasizes the importance of recognizing and removing athletes from the sporting environment if...
After a head injury, the brain can form new connections between damaged areas, known as hyperconnections. While this adaptation may provide short-term benefits, it can also lead to chronic inefficiencies and strain the brain's resources. Chronic inefficiencies may cascade into serious brain disorders, including Alzheimer's Disease.
A study by the University of Gothenburg reveals a connection between long-term concussion symptoms and nerve cell damage in hockey players. The research suggests that there may be two separate conditions involved, with no evidence of plaque formation like in Alzheimer's disease.