Articles tagged with Brain Injuries
Researchers found that taking blood thinners like warfarin does not significantly increase the risk of brain bleeding after blunt head trauma, contradicting previous assumptions. In fact, patients with poorly controlled warfarin activity had the highest bleeding risk.
A recent Northwestern University study analyzed brain tissue from 174 donated brains, including some from former amateur football players. The researchers found no elevated levels of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein in the CA2 region of the hippocampus, which is often associated with CTE and normal aging.
Researchers at UTA and UT Southwestern Medical School developed an adaptive spine board overlay that redistributes pressure more effectively than traditional evacuation surfaces. The device features sensor-driven pressure modulation and autonomously adjusts air-cell pressure to maintain optimal distribution for each patient.
A randomized clinical trial found that SMART training significantly improved cognitive gains in active-duty service members with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The top-down approach of SMART brain training showed faster cognitive gains compared to a bottom-up approach.
A new study by the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that soldiers with sleep apnea are at increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury compared to those without the condition. The study also shows a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries among service members with sleep apnea.
A new study suggests current return-to-play protocols for community sport athletes may not be enough to ensure player safety following a concussion. Researchers recommend symptom-based assessments and personalized rehabilitation plans to support recovery and reduce the risk of reinjury.
Research found that athletes with a BMI equal to or above 30 have increased inflammatory biomarkers, more severe concussion symptoms, and worse cognition following a concussion. The study suggests that body composition should be considered when determining the best recovery protocol after a concussion.
A new study from the University of Sydney found that non-concussive heading of a soccer ball alters the brain, causing subtle changes in brain structure and function. The researchers identified altered chemistry in a region involved in motor control and decreased electrical conductivity across several areas.
A new framework for assessing traumatic brain injuries (TBI) will provide more accurate diagnoses and treatments, leading to better patient outcomes. The framework incorporates clinical symptoms, biomarkers, imaging scans, and modifiers to determine the severity of injury and predict recovery.
Researchers have found that rugby players' brains remain altered after concussions, even if they feel well enough to return to play. The study used brain imaging technology to monitor eight concussed players over a 22-game season, finding abnormal brain responses in nearly all of them.
A UCLA study found that nearly one-quarter of e-scooter-related injuries involved substance-impaired riders, who experienced almost double the risk of traumatic brain injuries compared to non-impaired patients. The study also highlights increased hospital costs for these patients, averaging $4,600 per case.
Patients who develop epilepsy after a traumatic brain injury are at an increased risk of premature death, with a mortality rate 1.8 times higher than those without epilepsy. The study also found that the risk of developing epilepsy is highest in the first year after the injury.
Researchers developed a machine learning model that analyzes over 100 variables to predict an athlete's risk of lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury after concussion. The model achieved 95% accuracy in identifying vulnerable athletes, highlighting the importance of tracking individual performance and medical histories.
Researchers evaluated different types of Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) scores among US trauma center patients. They found that GOSE-All scores capture the combined effect of brain and extracranial injuries, while GOSE-TBI scores exclude extracranial injury effects.
A new survey-based study from the University of Exeter found that police officers are more than twice as likely to have traumatic brain injuries compared to the general population. The study also revealed that officers who report a history of multiple traumatic brain injuries are over twice as likely to develop complex PTSD.
Researchers at The University of Texas at San Antonio are working on a new AI tool to improve lives after brain injury. They plan to analyze data from 3,000 veterans and develop an interactive dashboard for clinicians to use, providing insights that could revolutionize treatment.
A new study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that lowering the tackle height in men's rugby has successfully reduced the rate of head collisions among players. The study found a 29% reduction in head-to-shoulder contact and a 45% decrease in head-on-head contact, leading to fewer concussions.
A new study published in Radiology found that higher blast exposure correlated with changes in brain function and structure, even when standard MRI exams appeared normal. The researchers discovered weaker connectivity in key areas and more severe symptoms such as memory problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Research published in JAMA Network Open found that college graduates experienced faster cognitive decline after a stroke compared to those with less education. The study highlights the importance of identifying patients at high risk for post-stroke cognitive decline to target future interventions.
A nonprofit science advocacy group is requesting the retraction of a research study that used traumatic brain injuries and non-fatal strangulation on young female rats. The study's methods are deemed unethical and fail to produce scientifically valid insights relevant to human health, with proponents advocating for human-specific model...
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg developed a bicycle helmet with improved shock-absorbing material that utilises auxetic metastructures. The new helmet design provides better protection against head injuries, is lighter, and can be customised to individual head shapes using 3D printing.
Researchers from Syracuse University found potential benefits of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on attention and fatigue in post-stroke patients, but results were mixed. Participants who received real tDCS showed decreased fatigue, while actual treatment did not improve attention tests.
A study by Tampere University found that childhood brain injuries, including mild concussions, can lead to lower educational attainment in adulthood. Researchers compared individuals with brain injuries to those with limb fractures and found significant differences in educational outcomes over a 20-year period.
A University of Cincinnati study found that machine learning models can aid clinicians in treating patients with spreading depolarizations (SDs), a condition that can cause significant brain damage. The algorithm was able to identify SD events with high sensitivity and specificity, detecting many events not identified by human scoring.
Researchers found that giving plasma, rather than whole blood, improves outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or shock. Plasma recipients had distinct proteomic profiles associated with later stages of clot formation, neuron survival, and wound repair.
Researchers found that prior stress exposure impacts TBI outcomes differently in male and female rats, with males showing increased anxiety but protected social motivation, while females exhibit opposite effects on social motivation.
Virginia Tech researchers Pamela VandeVord and Gunnar Brolinson received a $2.17 million grant to investigate cranial osteopathic manual manipulation as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury symptoms, particularly headaches. The noninvasive technique aims to enhance brain fluid motion and balance the autonomic nervous system.
The PREMSTEM Conference will present cutting-edge research on neonatal brain repair, focusing on human mesenchymal stem cells as a potential therapy for preterm birth-related brain injury. Associate Professor Atul Malhotra's keynote address will highlight successes and lessons learned from his ongoing stem cell-based therapy trials.
Researchers have discovered a new diterpene-based drug that facilitates the repopulation of mature functional neurons in brain regions damaged by traumatic injuries. The study found that these new cells are integrated into neural circuits and develop functional characteristics similar to those eliminated by the injury.
Researchers discover edonerpic maleate enhances neural plasticity, supporting cortical reorganization and improving motor control in non-human primates with SCI. The compound promotes AMPA receptor movement to areas responsible for motor control, strengthening existing neural connections.
A study found that college athletes who experienced concussion showed persistent brain changes in scans even after being cleared to return to play and up to one year later. Brain function was also impaired, with reduced blood flow in the fronto-insular cortex.
Researchers developed a cell phone application that detects posture and advises users on how to improve alignment through voice commands, vibrations, or images. The app helps patients with hemiparesis, a common sequelae of strokes, regain lost body awareness and perform daily tasks.
Researchers found that older adults with traumatic brain injury face disparities in rehabilitation care due to contextual social determinants of health. Contextual SDoH factors have complex effects on use of community-based rehabilitation services after TBI, beyond those linked to individual-level SDoH.
People who took over-the-counter pain relievers after a concussion recovered faster than those who did not take pain relievers. Those who took pain relievers were cleared to return to activities with no restrictions an average of two days faster at 50% recovery and seven days faster at 90% recovery.
New research from Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian reveals that brain waves indicative of normal sleep patterns can predict recovery in comatose patients with recent brain injuries. Patients with well-defined sleep spindles are more likely to recover consciousness and functional independence, with 76% showing evidence of co...
A nasal spray being tested for Alzheimer's disease could also reduce neuroinflammation in traumatic brain injury, according to a Mass General Brigham-led study. The treatment modulates the immune response, reducing anxiety, cognitive decline, and improving motor skills in mouse models of TBI.
A new AI-powered tool helps predict traumatic brain injury outcomes based on documented assault scenarios, providing an evidence-based approach to improve investigation accuracy. The model achieved remarkable prediction accuracy for TBI-related injuries, integrating mechanical biophysical data with forensic details.
A change in child concussion management policies led to improvements in recovery time. The Montreal Children's Hospital clinic began physiotherapy-based treatments two weeks after injury, resulting in faster recoveries. The study suggests that institutional policy plays a crucial role in guiding treatment approaches.
A study at Lund University found that brain trauma triggers Alzheimer's disease through vascular changes, challenging existing paradigms. The research team identified increased aggregation of amyloid-beta and vascular alterations in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can rapidly distinguish between brain bleeds and clot-caused strokes, even before patients arrive at the hospital. This test uses glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels to differentiate between hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes, which can lead to opposite treatments.
A new international study has identified the P2X7 receptor as a promising target for preventing post-traumatic epilepsy. The study suggests that blocking this receptor shortly after traumatic brain injury can significantly reduce brain hyperexcitability and improve behavior.
A new study from the University of Southern Denmark reveals that the brain's self-healing abilities are hindered by inflammation after a stroke. The researchers mapped specific cells that play a central role in rebuilding myelin, but found gender differences in how men and women respond to injuries.
Researchers investigate how repetitive blows to the head impact brain health, potentially leading to neurodegenerative diseases. The study aims to detect and mitigate acute effects of exposure to repetitive head hits using objective measures.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have shown that modified stem cells can improve brain activity after a stroke, even when administered one month later. The treatment reversed brain hyperexcitability and restored balance in neural networks, leading to long-lasting effects on brain function and repair.
A new analysis of US mortality data shows men are most likely to die from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), with rates over three times higher than women. Older adults and specific racial and ethnic groups, such as American Indian or Alaska Native people, also face a higher risk of fatal TBI-related deaths.
Researchers explore the role of efferocytosis in reducing inflammation and containing injury spread after an ischemic stroke. Efferocytosis may offer a promising therapeutic strategy to promote neural regeneration and minimize brain damage.
A systematic literature search identified high-priority clinical actions for post-acute care, including early education, risk assessment, and mental health screening. Implementing these actions can improve the quality of care for non-hospitalized TBI patients.
A new study from Oregon Health & Science University found that people who receive physical therapy earlier after a concussion tend to have better balance control and reduced reaction times. This can lead to improved outcomes and reduced risk of re-injury. Early intervention may enable the brain to return to a more normal state, compens...
The InteReg project aims to create interactive biomaterials that instruct cells to regenerate after brain or spinal cord injuries, potentially treating MS and other neurological disorders. The project, funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, brings together experts in biology, chemistry, medicine, and polymer research.
Researchers develop personalized cognitive integrated sensorimotor virtual reality training to improve gait and balance in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). A separate study uses robotic balance training combined with non-invasive brain stimulation to enhance postural control and motor recovery in TBI.
A cohort study found no association between high dementia risk among former professional soccer players and modifiable general health and lifestyle factors. The study supports continued measures to reduce exposure to repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injury in sports.
A team at Zhejiang University developed a novel strategy for early detection of high-altitude hypoxic brain injury using changes in oxygen content in brain regions over time. They found that brain regions with higher tolerance for hypoxia received less oxygen to support supply to more important areas.
A pilot clinical trial is testing the effectiveness of noninvasive electrical brain stimulation as a cognitive rehabilitation method for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study aims to determine how early treatment with targeted brain stimulation can enhance cognitive recovery in moderate to severe TBI.
A team of researchers from Mass General Brigham has identified changes in immune cells that can predict patient recovery after cardiac arrest. The study suggests that a particular population of cells may provide protection against brain injury and a drug that can activate these cells, improving neurological outcomes in preclinical stud...
A review paper suggests that MDMA-assisted therapy can benefit military personnel with traumatic brain injuries, improving emotional and cognitive challenges. The drug may facilitate social connections, increased self-esteem, and neural plasticity, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
A new optical fiber sensing system can track six biomarkers simultaneously and automatically provide crucial information on brain health. The technology has been successfully tested in lab experiments using animal brains and human cerebrospinal fluid samples, demonstrating its potential to monitor complications from traumatic injuries.
Researchers found that intravenous administration of immunomodulatory nanoparticles after TBI can limit inflammatory cell infiltration and reduce behavioral decline and lesion size. The treatment was shown to be safe without noticeable toxicity in mice.
A new study published by Kessler Foundation reveals that short naps can significantly improve motor performance and brain activity associated with motor skill improvement in individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury. This research highlights the potential for incorporating napping protocols into rehabilitation programs to maxi...
Dr. Yael Goverover joins an elite group of professionals at Kessler Foundation who have earned the Fellow of ACRM designation for their nationally significant contributions to cognitive rehabilitation research for individuals with multiple sclerosis and acquired brain injury. Her work has led to innovative assessments and interventions...
The article advocates for traumatic brain injury (TBI) to be considered a chronic condition, requiring coordinated care throughout an individual's lifetime. This approach can improve patient outcomes and support for both patients and their families.