Research on brain injury and recovery. Covers sports concussion policy, age and recovery, CTE in athletes, and deep brain stimulation.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute have identified a link between domestic violence and traumatic brain injury, with 88% of victims suffering more than one head injury. The study aims to expand awareness and treatment options for domestic violence survivors, who often lack access to resources.
The Kessler Foundation has been awarded a $2.3 million Spinal Cord Injury Model System (SCIMS) grant to support the Northern New Jersey SCI System. The grant will enable research into pharmacologic approaches to managing bladder dysfunction and improve care for respiratory complications.
Researchers aim to develop a diagnostic test for glymphatic system impairment after traumatic brain injury, which can lead to cognitive difficulties. The study seeks to identify treatments that could help repair the system, with potential applications in military personnel and servicemen.
Researchers developed an objective test to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using the I-Portal goggle, achieving 95% specificity and 89% sensitivity. This technology has the potential to revolutionize concussion diagnosis and treatment in sports, leading to better outcomes for athletes.
A systematic review of 10 international studies suggests that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) may be an effective diagnostic tool for identifying and predicting the likelihood of post-concussion syndrome (PCS). DTI scans can detect micro abnormalities in the brain not picked up by routine imaging methods, potentially leading to earlier ...
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that craniectomy significantly reduces the risk of death from brain swelling after a head injury. Craniectomy also improved patient outcomes at 6-12 months post-injury, with nearly half of patients regaining independence.
Research shows that adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are twice as likely to die from an unintentional injury. Changes in cognition and balance increase the risk of subsequent injuries. A patient-centered assessment tool can help identify risks and prevent further injuries.
A study of over a million Swedes found that childhood brain injuries increased the chances of poor school attainment, psychiatric care, disability benefits, and premature death. Repeated mild or severe brain injuries were associated with even higher risks.
Researchers at UCLA have discovered that MRI scans can detect the shrinkage of key brain regions in individuals with cognitive problems, similar to those seen in CTE cases confirmed by autopsy. This finding raises the possibility of using MRI scans to diagnose CTE in living patients.
Scientists have developed a neuron-targeting nanoparticle that can deliver RNA to damaged brain cells, reducing the impact of chronic conditions like depression and memory problems after TBI. The treatment showed promise in an animal model, with 80% reduction in protein associated with neuronal cell death.
A study found nearly 361,000 children under 5 were treated for stroller or carrier-related injuries between 1990 and 2010. Head and face injuries accounted for most cases, with traumatic brain injuries on the rise, particularly in carriers.
A new CDC study found that about 27% of patients with mild traumatic brain injury who returned for follow-up care were positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study identified risk factors, including functional disability, psychiatric symptoms, and performance on measures of visual processing and mental flexibility.
Researchers found that inosine treatment led to improved motor control in four out of four treated monkeys, with three returning to their pre-operative grasping methods. The study suggests neural plasticity as a therapeutic target for recovering fine motor control and grasping ability after brain injury.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital discovered brain shrinkage, reduced blood flow, and white matter damage in college athletes with a history of concussion. These findings suggest that even young, healthy adults may be affected by repeated head injuries.
A new study found that starting blood-thinning medications within 72 hours of hospital arrival significantly reduces the likelihood of life-threatening blood clots in patients with traumatic brain injury. The study also showed no increase in risk of bleeding complications or death.
Researchers investigated the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation treatments for individuals with brain injury or stroke, highlighting adaptable, measurable, and evidence-based therapies. Studies found that holistic neuropsychological rehabilitation can reduce reported symptoms and carer strain.
A new probe allows for pinpoint brain temperature measurements in moving lab animals, precision measured to a fraction of a degree. The probe's small size enables spatially precise temperature readings from small brain areas, paving the way for real-time monitoring of brain temperature after traumatic brain injury or stroke.
Research found no association between traumatic brain injury and dementia or Alzheimer disease, but increased risk of Parkinson's disease, progression of parkinsonism, and microinfarcts were observed. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 participants with a history of traumatic brain injury.
Scientists developed a novel peptide that protects cognitive function after mild traumatic brain injury by reducing inflammation, cell death, and cognitive impairments in mice. The peptide, called TXM-peptide, mimics the antioxidant activity of thioredoxin and inhibits the inflammatory pathway.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have discovered a peptide sequence that can carry molecules and nanoparticles to acutely damaged areas of the brain, providing a new means of delivering therapeutics for traumatic brain injuries. This technology has the potential to minimize the effects of secondary injur...
Despite medical community's understanding of brain function, the double-trauma amnesia cure belief persisted due to anecdotal evidence and flawed theories. A French scientist named Francois Xavier Bichat proposed the idea that a second blow could restore memories in the late 18th century, but his claims were not backed by specific cases.
Researchers found a distinctive pattern of injury in the brains of deceased military personnel who survived high explosive attacks, suggesting a link between blast exposure and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The study's findings highlight the need for further research to understand the underlying pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury.
Researchers used advanced MRI to predict which concussion patients would fully recover and identify brain areas involved in the repair process. The study found that high FA white-matter areas correlated with better outcomes, while low FA areas showed axon damage and cognitive impairment.
A new study from CHOP and CDC found that 82% of concussions among 0-17 year olds were diagnosed at primary care sites, while only 12% were in the emergency department. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for concussion recovery, and targeted training can help primary care providers diagnose and treat most cases.
Researchers found that whole-brain energy turnover directly predicted current level of awareness and likelihood of recovery within a year. Brain metabolic activity above 42% threshold was associated with signs of awareness or recovered responsiveness.
Researchers have found that anemia can negatively impact patients with traumatic brain injuries, leading to poorer outcomes. For each increase in hemoglobin levels, the likelihood of a good outcome increased by 33 percent.
A University of Washington study reveals significant barriers in accessing rehabilitation services for children with traumatic brain injuries from low-income households with limited English proficiency. The study found that less than 20% of providers accepted Medicaid and provided language interpretation, highlighting the need for incr...
A new study from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that student-athletes who experience concussions often struggle academically, even after returning to school. The research found significant academic problems among students with concussions compared to those with other sports-related injuries.
Researchers at SDSU used fruit flies to model traumatic brain injuries, finding damage to neurons and changes in sleep patterns. The study suggests that studying these genetic and cellular factors may reveal ways to improve the brain's resilience to injuries.
A USF professor is investigating the possibility that CTE can start when an on-field collision generates a 'seed' that spreads protein abnormality in the brain. Similar processes may be at work for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
A recent study by University of Florida researchers found that athletes who delayed reporting a concussion experienced longer recovery times. The study analyzed data from the University of Florida Concussion Databank and discovered that these athletes missed an average of five more days to receive medical clearance to return to play.
A study analyzing data from three injury surveillance programs found concussions in high school football had the highest average number of reported symptoms. High school football players also had the highest proportion of concussions with a return to play time of at least 30 days, followed by youth and college players.
A large-scale study found that children who exercised within seven days of a head injury had nearly half the rate of persistent post-concussive symptoms a month later. Researchers suggest this may shift concussion management guidelines towards more active physical rehabilitation recommendations.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) experience long-term sleep disturbances, despite not being aware of it. Researchers discovered that 67% of those with TBI suffered from excessive daytime sleepiness compared to 19% of healthy individuals.
The Allen Institute has released a comprehensive dataset on the aging brain and traumatic brain injury, providing unprecedented access to data on over 100 aged brains. Researchers can explore this unique resource to identify molecular signatures of disease and develop novel diagnostic strategies.
Researchers discovered measurable changes in brain cells of high school football players due to repeated impacts, even without concussion. The study used diffusional kurtosis imaging to measure changes in neural tissues and white matter abnormalities.
The University of Houston has received a $386,000 grant from the Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation to develop a model for studying traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Professor Amy Sater aims to create a system that can screen for possible drugs facilitating recovery from brain injury using Xenopus laevis tadpoles.
A study published in Neurology found that athletes with pre-concussion medical complaints, such as psychosomatic symptoms, took longer to recover after a concussion. The severity of these symptoms was the greatest predictor of recovery time.
Researchers found that older adults with vascular health conditions, depression, difficulty performing daily activities, and multiple chronic diseases were at higher risk of traumatic brain injury. In contrast, sedentary lifestyles or self-reported alcohol problems did not increase the risk of TBI.
Researchers found that concussions in young children can lead to a decline in their social interactions with parents. The study aimed to assess the quality of parent-child relationships six months after injury.
A recent study by the American Academy of Neurology found that over 40% of retired NFL players showed signs of traumatic brain injury based on sensitive MRI scans. The study also revealed a significant correlation between longer NFL careers and increased risk of TBI.
The April issue of Neurosurgical Focus presents 12 articles on sports-related concussion, sequelae such as CTE, and prevention strategies. Key findings include diagnostic assessment tools and treatment strategies for concussions.
A national group of sleep and brain injury specialists recommends specific steps to test and develop sleep-related treatments for improved concussion outcomes. The recommendations include data repositories, serial assessment, research targeting treatments, and increased access to sleep treatment services.
A recent study aims to investigate the role of deficient pain modulatory systems in developing chronic post-traumatic headaches. The researchers will enroll 80 participants with mild traumatic brain injuries and use state-of-the-art quantitative sensory testing to identify potential predictors of the headache.
A new study published in Radiology suggests that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can predict long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in veterans. The study found associations between initial post-deployment DTI measurements and neurobehavioral symptoms, timing of injury, and subsequent functional outcomes.
A study found that increased arterial stiffness in young adults is associated with reduced white matter volume and decreased gray matter integrity. This association suggests that vascular health can impact brain health from an early age.
Case reports published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association document improvements in concussion-related symptoms following osteopathic manipulative treatment. These treatments can help restore cerebrospinal fluid flow to promote healing and alleviate symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and tinnitus.
Researchers analyzed records of 71 children with uncomplicated head injuries and found that nearly three-quarters were kept for overnight observation, incurring additional costs. The study suggests that low-risk patients can be safely sent home if they have no evidence of brain injury or neurologic symptoms.
The Operation Brain Trauma Therapy (OBTT) consortium has published results from five therapies for traumatic brain injury, finding Levetiracetam to be the most beneficial treatment. Biomarker GFAP was also found to perform well across studies.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found a link between traumatic brain injury and mild cognitive impairment, with those who experienced loss of consciousness for over five minutes being at greater risk. The study analyzed data from 3,187 people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment versus a normal-cognition group of 3,244.
Researchers discovered that estrogen-producing glial cells play a role in controlling inflammation in the injured zebra finch brain. The process happens within hours and could lead to new therapies for human brain injuries such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers found a rise in lower extremity injuries, particularly knee and ankle injuries, after implementing rule changes aimed at reducing head-to-head contact in collegiate football. The study analyzed NCAA Injury Surveillance Database data from 2009/10 to 2014/15.
Dr. Ekaterina Dobryakova of Kessler Foundation has received a $70,000 Switzer Research Fellowship to study the motivational influences on cognitive fatigue in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study aims to explore whether rewards associated with performing a task can modulate cognitive fatigue in individuals with TBI.
A new study developed a unique formula to predict the potential for cognitive deficits in former professional football players. The formula combines concussion severity, frequency, game-related data, and mental abilities, revealing that a strong cognitive reserve is the most important factor.
Researchers identified complex brain connectivity patterns in individuals with chronic TBI, explaining long-term higher-order cognitive function deficits. Interactions among networks are critical for daily life tasks like planning and problem-solving.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer is developing a computational model to measure how and when battlefield blasts can cause devastating damage to neurons in the brain. The research aims to quantify the effects of blasts on brain cells, providing new insight into brain injuries caused by combat scenarios.
Research published in Injury Prevention found that paid family leave in California is associated with a lower rate of children's admission for head injury, including cases of deliberate inflicted trauma. The study suggests that this policy may have positive effects on reducing childhood abuse admissions.
Researchers found that a longer, more intense period of rehabilitation boosts brain recovery after injury, with rats showing significant restructuring of the brain and dramatic functional recovery. The study highlights the critical role of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in rehabilitation.
Researchers have identified a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) by targeting the inflammatory response. The experimental drug MW151 appears to dampen down detrimental inflammatory responses without suppressing the normal functions cells need to maintain health.
A substantial proportion of stroke survivors (15.3%) develop seizures over an average follow-up period of 3.4 years. The risk is significantly higher than that following traumatic brain injury, even when controlling for age.