Articles tagged with Brain Injuries
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.
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.
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, ...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals with severe brain injuries whose body temperature patterns closely align with a healthy 24-hour rhythm score better on tests of recovery from coma and arousal. Researchers tested bright light stimulation on participants, revealing positive effects in two cases.
A large-scale study found three clinical decision rules to be effective in identifying children at low risk of traumatic brain injury, potentially reducing unnecessary CT scans. The PECARN rule from the US was shown to be most accurate, with no missed cases requiring neurosurgery.
A worldwide survey found 16% of critically ill children have acute neurological conditions with brain damage, highlighting the need for transformational ideas to improve outcomes. The study revealed that cardiac arrest was the most common cause of these conditions, followed by traumatic brain injury and central nervous system infection.
A new hand-held EEG device has been shown to accurately rule out brain bleeding in patients with head injuries. The device, approved by the FDA in 2016, can quickly assess electrical activity in the brain to determine if a patient needs further evaluation and treatment.
Researchers studied the brain-suspension system using magnetic resonance elastography, finding that it significantly delayed and weakened force transfer from skull to brain. This suggests up to 90% protection against TBI injury.
Researchers found that traumatic brain injuries disrupt the stress axis differently in female and male mice, leading to increased anxiety and depression in women. The study provides a missing link between mild blast injuries and neuropsychiatric disorders.
A study from UT Southwestern Medical Center and Mayo Clinic shows that a remote-controlled robot can evaluate athletes for concussion with the same accuracy as on-site physicians. The technology has the potential to ease access to concussion expertise in rural areas, where few doctors or athletic trainers are available.
A new study analyzed the biomechanics of head injury in pediatric patients with concussions, using physical and computational models to simulate impacts. The researchers found that youths are at higher risk of concussive injury at lower event severities, but no clear predictors for persistent symptoms were identified.
Researchers have discovered a small protein, Hi1a, that protects the brain from stroke-induced injury. Administered up to eight hours after stroke, Hi1a blocks acid-sensing ion channels and improves neurological performance.
The presence of a certified athletic trainer at youth football practices and games can enhance player safety through improved injury awareness, prevention, and assessment. This was found in a study published in Athletic Training & Sports Health Care, which reported a decline in injuries from 25 to 14 over two seasons.
A new study found that children with delayed visual perception after head injuries may experience structural changes in their brains, leading to normal development interruptions. Early intervention may help identify patients at risk for prolonged recovery and develop targeted treatments.
A new biomarker may help predict which children will take longer to recover from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Half of the children with moderate to severe TBI had slow transfer times, indicating progressive decline in white matter.
Researchers are developing a portable, painless 3-D ultrasound device that can detect swelling in the optic nerve sheath, indicating potential brain damage. The device aims to provide instantaneous evidence of head injuries and is expected to be accurate compared to existing MRI and CT technology.
A new mechanism by which inflammation can spread throughout the brain after injury has been identified. The findings may explain chronic and long-lasting inflammation that occurs after traumatic brain injury and could transform understanding of brain injury and disease.
A new study found that female soccer players suffer the most concussions in high school sports, with a significantly higher concussion rate than boys. The study, which analyzed injury data from 2005 to 2015, also revealed that girls' soccer had the highest concussion rate during the 10-year study period.
A clinical study demonstrates that microwave measurements can quickly detect intracranial bleeding in traumatic brain injuries. The technology has great potential to improve medical assessment and reduce waiting times for patients with head injuries.
Researchers found master genes that control hundreds of other genes linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders. The study suggests that modifying these master genes could lead to new treatments for brain diseases.
Researchers at Wake Forest University developed a tool to calculate the likelihood of survival and independence after hospital discharge in elderly patients with traumatic brain injury. The tool accounts for variables such as age and severity of brain injury, providing a statistical estimation of the patient's prognosis.
Researchers at Toronto Western Hospital's Canadian Concussion Centre discovered CTE in a brain without head trauma or concussion history. The finding suggests that the cause of CTE might be more complex than previously thought, with Dr. Lili-Naz Hazrati stating that there are more questions than answers about the definitive causes of CTE.
A study using AI technique TDA identified patients with normal brain scans who may deteriorate months after diagnosis and develop symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder. The research also found molecular biomarkers predictive of poor recovery, paving the way for personalized treatments.
A study found that former NFL players had motor functions within normal range and no significant relationship between head impacts and movement disorders. While they didn't have severe problems with motor skills, those with worse scores on thinking tests were more likely to experience issues.
A new test using peripheral vision reaction time can identify mild traumatic brain injury with underlying brain damage, leading to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment. The test is an objective, inexpensive, and rapid assessment that detects patients with a severe underlying injury.
A recent study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that injuries are more likely to occur in youth flag football than in youth tackle football. The research team compared over 3,800 participants and found no significant difference in severe injuries and concussions between the leagues.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have discovered that traumatic brain injuries can lead to persistent attention problems in children, with severe injuries five times more likely to develop secondary ADHD. The study also shows that effective parenting and optimal home environments can mitigate these effects.
The study aims to understand the long-term neurologic effects of mild TBI and other deployment-related conditions. It will analyze the impact of TBI on thinking ability, memory, mood, and focus, as well as explore biological factors that influence outcomes.
Researchers at UTMB have identified inflammation as a major contributor to permanent vision loss after head trauma. Limiting inflammation may help preserve cell function and prevent nerve damage.
Researchers found that elevated levels of GFAP and UCH-L1 in patients with acute orthopedic injuries did not distinguish between those with and without mild traumatic brain injury. This study highlights the need for caution when using these biomarkers, as false-positive diagnoses could lead to unnecessary imaging.
Astrocytes have long been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, but their roles were unknown. New research reveals that injured or diseased astrocytes can be toxic to neurons, causing cell death. However, they also play a crucial role in regeneration and connection formation.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that frequent soccer ball heading is a common and underrecognized cause of concussion symptoms. The study found that amateur soccer players who frequently head the ball are at an increased risk of experiencing classic concussion symptoms, even without an overt collision.
The Epilepsy Bioinformatics Study for Antiepileptogenic Therapy (EpiBioS4Rx) project aims to identify biomarkers associated with epilepsy development and develop novel therapies. The research team will collaborate with patients and their families to improve treatment options.