Research on brain injury and recovery. Covers sports concussion policy, age and recovery, CTE in athletes, and deep brain stimulation.
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.
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.
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 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.
The partnership combines UAB's expertise in engineering and medicine with VICIS's innovative helmet technology to reduce impact forces. The resulting helmets will better protect players' brains from concussions, a pressing concern in football.
Researchers used fMRI to track brain activity in 75 concussion patients and found altered patterns associated with worse symptoms months later. The study identified abnormal connectivity in frontal areas and visual networks, suggesting a higher risk for long-term post-concussive symptoms.
A new study from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center found that advances in imaging technology have led to a six-fold increase in the diagnosis of blunt cerebrovascular injuries in trauma patients. This has resulted in a significant decline in stroke and related death rates over the past 30 years.
Researchers mapped premature infant brains using MRI scans to predict future disabilities. A greater volume of white matter injury was linked to movement and thinking problems at 18 months.
A $2.7 million grant will fund research on veterans with traumatic brain injuries using a virtual technology platform to improve cognitive and functional deficits. The project aims to train strategies for complex real-life tasks, including money management and time planning.
A new study from Drexel University College of Medicine suggests that a commonly used antibiotic, minocycline, may exacerbate cognitive deficits in newborn rats with traumatic brain injury. The researchers hypothesize that the treatment, which targets inflammation, may be ineffective or even harmful to developing brains.
Researchers observed that brain cell powerhouses, called mitochondria, can quickly become dysfunctional after injury like stroke or trauma. However, they often resume their normal shape once blood and oxygen are restored, suggesting a potential new avenue for improving recovery from such injuries.
Research found that nearly 1,400 US servicemen sustained genitourinary (GU) injuries during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The majority of patients suffered severe testicular and/or penile injuries, often part of polytraumatic injuries. Novel treatments are needed to address long-term sexual and reproductive health concerns.
Vision problems are commonly reported in children with concussions and are independently associated with academic difficulty. Blurred vision and difficulty concentrating are among the most common symptoms affecting academic performance in pediatric patients.
A Clemson University team, led by Gregory Batt and John DesJardins, is working on improving facemask designs to help reduce the severity of head injuries in football. They are using a linear drop tower system to test various facemask materials and structures.
Researchers at Northwestern University's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory have discovered a biological marker in the auditory system that can reliably diagnose concussions. The study found that children who suffered concussions had a distinct pattern in their brain activity when exposed to sound, which could be used to identify them.
A new study shows that recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and improving sleep quality occur in parallel. As patients regained consciousness, their sleep-wake cycles also improved.
A study published in Journal of Psychiatric Research found that homeless adults with mental illness and a history of traumatic brain injury are more likely to experience adverse health conditions, increased use of emergency departments, and suicidal risk. The research highlights the need for specialized services such as clinical treatm...
A study by Children's National Hospital found that Sirt1 plays a crucial role in regenerating glial cells from endogenous progenitor cells after hypoxia-related brain injury. The protein's activity can be modulated by sirtinol, an off-the-shelf drug, and may help alleviate developmental delays in preterm infants.
A team of researchers at Colorado State University is investigating the use of a test developed to detect early-stage chronic wasting disease in deer to identify the onset of brain disorders, including concussion-related trauma, in humans. The test may also be used to detect misfolded proteins found in people with Alzheimer's, Parkinso...
A new study found that people with traumatic brain injury are approximately 2.5 times more likely to be incarcerated in a federal correctional facility in Canada than those without a history of TBI. The study, which included nearly 1.42 million adults aged 18-28, highlighted the association between TBI and incarceration rates.
Researchers found disrupted brain circuitry in service members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) who developed depression symptoms, linking physical foundation to emotional processing and rumination. This study may lead to personalized treatment strategies for future care.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found evidence of brain injury and repair in young NFL players compared to a control group. PET imaging revealed higher levels of a biomarker associated with brain injury in eight of the 12 brain regions studied, suggesting a link between concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Researchers found higher distribution volume in 8 brain regions among NFL players compared to nonplayers, suggesting localized brain injury may be associated with football play. Limited white matter changes were observed in the brains of NFL players.
A combined pharmacological therapy and rehabilitation program shows promise in treating persistent cognitive difficulties after traumatic brain injuries, with modest yet significant improvements noted in verbal and nonverbal learning abilities, working memory, and divided attention.
A combination of methylphenidate and cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation has been shown to improve attention, episodic memory, working memory, and executive functioning in adults with traumatic brain injuries. The study compared the effectiveness of two forms of cognitive therapy with and without the use of methylphenidate.
Researchers found that ACL injuries alter brain activity related to leg movement, relying on visual systems instead of instinctive movement. This study suggests a new rehabilitation approach using strobe glasses to help patients rewire their brains and regain natural movement.
Researchers identify direct link between brain inflammation and CTE, with longer football careers predicting increased inflammation and disease progression. The study suggests that treating inflammation could prevent or lessen CTE development, offering potential biomarkers for early identification.
A recent study in mice suggests that protecting axons may prevent the development of neurological problems associated with TBI. The researchers used mice with a genetic mutation that protects axons and found that they did not develop vision or cognitive problems after blast-related TBI.
Researchers developed a new tool called SPIN-Score to predict survival after gunshot wounds, using pupil response and motor tests as key predictors. The tool accurately predicted survival rates with an excellent accuracy of 96%, offering valuable insights for doctors and families making life-or-death decisions.
A new system has been developed to better understand variables involved in survival from gunshot wounds to the head. The study found that level of consciousness upon arrival, pupillary reactivity, and injury severity score are key factors in determining survival rate.
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that nearly half of concussion patients were playing football when they sustained their injury, and 71 athletes returned to play on the same day. Patients who immediately returned to play reported less severe symptoms initially, but these symptoms worsened over time.
Dr. Erica Weber at Kessler Foundation has received a $70,000 Merit Award to fund her research on strategies to improve prospective memory in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her work aims to help people with TBI remember to perform tasks in the future using self-generation techniques.
Researchers at Women & Infants Hospital have received NIH grants to evaluate treatment strategies for perinatal brain injury. The studies aim to prevent or decrease brain damage in infants at risk for cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities.
A $1.65 million Department of Defense grant will support the development of a brain-machine-brain interface (BMBI) aimed at helping TBI and stroke patients regain motor function. The BMBI records signals from one part of the brain, processes them in real time, then bridges the injury by stimulating a second part of the brain.