Articles tagged with Brain Injuries
A randomized clinical trial found the modified Story Memory Technique to improve memory and everyday functioning in individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. The study, published by Kessler Foundation, provides first Class I evidence for the efficacy of cognitive training in TBI.
Researchers aim to identify exRNAs as biomarkers for severe hemorrhagic stroke and risk of subsequent traumatic brain injuries. The study could lead to new treatments and improved outcomes in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.
A new Canadian-developed rule will help emergency department physicians determine when to use radiography in young children with minor head injuries. The rule identifies children under 2 months old or those with parietal or occipital swelling as high-risk, warranting a skull radiograph.
Researchers investigate the effects of shock waves on the brain to design helmets that can withstand penetrating blasts from IEDs. The goal is to develop specifications guiding the development of new personal protection systems for soldiers.
A pilot study found ramelteon increased total sleep time and improved cognition in individuals with traumatic brain injury. The medication, a melatonin-agonist, was well-tolerated and showed significant improvement in executive functioning and reaction time after three weeks of treatment.
A new study found a significant association between traumatic brain injuries and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in adults. Adults with a history of TBI were more than twice as likely to report symptoms of ADHD, supporting previous research that linked the two conditions.
A team of researchers has developed a color-changing polymer-based material that changes colors depending on the force applied to it. The goal is to detect head trauma immediately and provide an obvious indication of injury. In future studies, the team plans to develop materials that can indicate how quickly a force is applied.
Researchers found that patients with higher levels of anticholinergic drugs in their system had longer hospital stays and slower recoveries. The study suggests that these medications could be hindering the effectiveness of neuro-rehabilitation treatments.
A new blood test can predict the severity of traumatic brain injuries and identify patients who may benefit from extra therapy. The test measures brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the blood, which can help doctors advise patients on treatment and monitor their recovery.
A new study found that 53% of children with sports-related head injuries receive CT scans, but only 4% have traumatic brain injuries. Researchers recommend using evidence-based prediction rules to decrease unnecessary CT scan use and promote injury prevention in high-risk sports.
A European clinical trial shows that therapeutic hypothermia can significantly decrease intracranial pressure in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. The study found a mean reduction of 4.3 mmHg at the first hour of body cooling, continuing throughout the 6-hour hypothermia therapy.
A UCLA-led study found that despite high compliance rates with guidelines for treating traumatic brain injuries, hospitals do not necessarily provide better care. The study analyzed data from 14 Los Angeles County trauma centers and found significant variability in mortality rates and procedure adherence.
A new study examined brain networks in veterans with trauma exposure using functional magnetic resonance imaging and graph theory tools. The researchers found that veterans with more severe PTSD re-experiencing symptoms showed weaker connectivity in two brain networks, including the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
The University of Montana research team, led by Sarj Patel and Tom Rau, will conduct expanded testing on biomarkers for traumatic brain injury. They aim to clinically validate their research and explore chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Researchers have identified two proteins in blood and cerebrospinal fluid that increase significantly after traumatic brain injury, suggesting they could be used to detect trauma-related brain damage. These biomarkers, UCH-L1 and GFAP, correlate with direct evidence of brain damage and may aid in assessing brain injury following TBI.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center developed an antibody that selectively detects and destroys a toxic protein causing widespread neurodegeneration after TBI, potentially preventing Alzheimer's disease and CTE. The treatment restores neurons' structural and functional abilities.
A UCLA/USC study suggests that damage to the brain's nerve fibers is likely the cause of varying recovery times after a traumatic brain injury. The research found that patients with widespread myelin damage performed 14% worse on cognitive tests and had slower wiring, while those with intact myelin recovered faster.
A study found that player-to-player contact was the most common cause of concussions in high school soccer, with heading the ball being the most common soccer-specific activity leading to concussions. The rate of concussions per 10,000 athlete exposures was higher for boys than girls, highlighting a need for improved safety measures.
Researchers found that serum S100B levels below 0.105 µg/L are an accurate predictor of no intracranial hemorrhage, reducing the need for costly CCT scans and hospitalizations. This simple blood test may help identify patients who can return home to recover.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation received grants to investigate treatments for emotional processing deficits, balance dysfunction, and memory impairments in TBI patients. These studies aim to improve quality of life, independence, and community involvement for individuals affected by brain injury.
Researchers will use MRI machines to test injured nerves and develop a diagnostic tool to distinguish between brain damage and nerve trauma. The goal is to provide more effective treatment options for soldiers suffering from visual deficits caused by IED injuries.
Researchers investigated mannitol dosing errors in patients with intracranial emergencies. The study found a 22% dosing error rate, with underdosing being the most common error, occurring in 8.3% of cases.
A new imaging technique uses discrete wavelength decomposition to analyze functional connectivity in the brain, identifying changes in neural communication following mTBI. The study found alterations in connectivity in both acute and chronic stages of injury, with recovery of connectivity over time.
Researchers found that autologous bone marrow stem cells significantly reduced cranial pressure and therapeutic intensity in TBI patients, decreasing neurointensive care time by nearly 60%.
A high school student won a $10,000 scholarship from the Office of Naval Research for his concussion research project, which aimed to reduce whiplash motion correlated with concussions. The project's potential applications extend beyond sports, as brain injuries are a leading cause of TBI for military personnel in war zones.
A study by the Center for BrainHealth found that strategy-based cognitive training improved cognitive areas critical to everyday life success, as well as reduced depressive and stress-related symptoms. The training also increased brain blood flow to key regions of the brain.
A new blood test measures brain-specific proteins released after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to predict both imaging evidence and injury severity. The test, which uses glial fibrillary acidic protein breakdown products (GFAP-BDP), shows a net benefit in reducing unnecessary CT scans by 12-30%.
A study found that repetitive head injuries can lead to the build-up of beta-amyloid in the brain, increasing the risk of dementia. Boxers were most affected, with four times more likelihood of developing beta-amyloid deposits and worse disease outcomes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a comprehensive public health approach to reduce the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI). New research highlights four pillars: improving understanding of TBI's public health burden, reducing incidence through primary prevention, enhancing recognition and management o...
A new study published in Accident Analysis and Prevention found that Ontario adults who experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) also reported higher incidents of serious road-related driving aggression. The study, conducted by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital, analyzed data from almost 4,000 adults aged 18-97 and discovered a s...
A recent study analyzed data from three large injury surveillance systems to examine the incidence of concussions in youth, high school, and college football athletes. The findings indicate that most concussions occurred during practice, with a lower concussion rate in college football compared to high school.
Traumatic brain injury affects millions worldwide, with little use of new scientific discoveries about brain workings. Researchers propose therapies targeting specific cognitive control processes, such as attention, memory, and thought.
Researchers at UBC have discovered a single gene that causes brain swelling after trauma, providing a target for drug development. By turning off this gene, they successfully stopped swelling in rodent brains.
Researchers discovered structural brain abnormalities in white matter among those experiencing loss of consciousness due to mTBI, linked to decreased verbal memory performance. The study highlights the importance of diffusion tensor imaging in detecting subtle white matter changes associated with mild TBI.
Experts warn that the UK government's plan to fund and increase school rugby participation lacks injury data and prevention programs, putting children at risk. Injuries are common in rugby, with 12% of child players requiring hospitalization, and studies show that tackles are a major cause of injury.
Experts from Queen Mary University of London warn that the UK government's plan to increase school rugby participation ignores serious levels of injury, lack injury surveillance systems, and fails to address tackle safety. The researchers call for the implementation of injury prevention programmes and monitoring strategies.
Research found that nearly one-quarter of ICU survivors suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent Johns Hopkins study. The study identified possible triggers for PTSD, including existing psychological problems and large amounts of sedation medication, and suggested using ICU diaries as a potential prevent...
Researchers found a pattern of white matter damage and gray matter atrophy associated with facial affect recognition impairment in individuals with TBI. This deficit may impact social functioning, relationships, and daily life.
Researchers developed a new Hockey STAR rating system to evaluate helmet protection against concussions and head injuries in ice hockey. The system assigns a value to each helmet based on its ability to protect players from head impacts, driving manufacturers to advance helmet design.
Virginia Tech has released its five-star ratings of hockey helmets, with only one model earning a three-star rating. The study found that hockey helmets share the same basic design as football helmets but are smaller and more prone to injury.
Researchers at Brown University have identified four blood proteins that can accurately signal mild traumatic brain injury within hours after a concussion. These biomarkers, which include copeptin, galectin 3, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and occludin, show significant changes in the bloodstream of patients shortly after a concussion.
A new study by Imperial College London reveals that head injury patients exhibit changes in brain structure similar to those seen in older people. The researchers estimate that these patients are around five years older on average than their real age.
Experts say research is needed to develop strategies to protect athletes from brain injury, citing a lack of long-term studies and unclear causes. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been linked to repeated blows to the head, but diagnosis requires autopsy and more research is needed to understand its development.
A novel deuterium-containing sigma-1 agonist, C-10068, demonstrated anti-seizure and anti-inflammatory effects in a preclinical model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It affected multiple neurochemical pathways, including sigma-1 receptors, which play a widespread modulatory role in the central nervous system.
New approach aims to enhance neuroplastic processes, including angiogenesis, neurogenesis, oligodendrogenesis and axonal sprouting to improve neurological recovery. Early clinical trials are underway for innovative drugs such as Glibenclamide, Minocycline and Statins.
A study examining the use of Actual Reality in traumatic brain injury (TBI) found that individuals with TBI had difficulty performing internet-based tasks. The results suggest that Actual Reality is a potential tool for capturing the status of everyday functional activity in this population, supporting its use in clinical assessments.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a new diagnostic tool for concussions in children, utilizing brain activation study findings. The spatial memory task has the potential to aid in assessing recovery and determining safe return to activities.
Research by Columbia University finds that glucocorticoid treatment restores BBB function within a day of primary blast injury, potentially reducing mandatory rest periods for military personnel. The study's positive results could lead to the development of targeted therapies using steroids to restore BBB integrity after blast injury.
Researchers found that early post-traumatic stress symptoms are the strongest predictors of later disability in military personnel with mild brain injuries. A study evaluated 38 patients with mild blast-related brain injury and 34 controls, showing that mental health assessments soon after injury were more predictive of long-term disab...
A recent Connecticut study found a marked increase in the number of teenagers receiving medical treatment for sports-related concussions after laws were passed in 2010. The study suggests that extending concussion laws to include summer camps, travel teams, and all-star teams could improve safety and education for all young athletes.
A new pharmacological agent, Thymosin beta-4, has shown promise in treating neurological diseases by increasing protective myelin around nerve fibers. Current standard drug therapy, like tPA, is limited and often ineffective, prompting a shift towards restorative therapies.
Researchers are advancing blood biomarker capabilities using the Simoa technology, which offers unprecedented improvement in sensitivity proteins for detecting traumatic brain injury. The technology allows for more effective measurement of low concentrations of proteins such as tau, enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
A study published in Critical Care Medicine defines the prevalence, associated factors, and time course of vasospasm in children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. The study found that children with higher Injury Severity Scores, fever at admission, and lower Glasgow Coma scores were at increased risk of developing vasospasm.
Scientists at Monash University have made a major breakthrough in understanding how the brain adapts to vision loss by discovering a second pathway for visual information. This new pathway, through the pulvinar area of the brain, plays a crucial role in rerouting visual information following injury or trauma.
Researchers at Ben Gurion University of the Negev have discovered a promising peptide called humanin that can counteract cell death caused by hypoxia. The peptide's derivatives were tested on neuronal cells and showed successful results, potentially leading to new treatments for necrosis-related diseases.
A groundbreaking study published in The Journal of Pediatrics suggests a relationship between concussions sustained by young ice hockey players and subtle changes in the cortex, indicating an early marker for brain damage. Researchers hope to further investigate the long-term effects of repeated blows to the head on young athletes.
Researchers at UVA School of Medicine have identified interleukin-33 as the biological trigger for a protective immune response to spinal cord injury. This discovery holds promise for improved treatments and diagnostic tests for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and brain trauma.
The University of Michigan has launched a major initiative to find new ways to treat Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) thanks to a $10M gift from the Joyce and Don Massey Family Foundation. The new Emergency Critical Care Center will provide advanced care to patients with TBI, stroke, or other critical illnesses.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center developed a novel eye-tracking device to diagnose concussion severity, tracking pupils for over 200 seconds while watching a music video. The study found that trauma patients with normal CT scans were slightly worse at 1-2 weeks after injury and recovered about one month later.
Research finds accumulated brain damage linked to memory deficits and mood regulation in former NFL players, supporting calls for improved athlete protection from concussion. PET scans show concentrated zones of high translocator protein levels, indicating brain injury and potential long-term neurological risk.