Research on brain injury and recovery. Covers sports concussion policy, age and recovery, CTE in athletes, and deep brain stimulation.
A new study reveals that traumatic brain injury can accelerate dementia by disrupting the brain's waste removal system, specifically the glymphatic system. This impaired system allows toxic proteins to accumulate in the brain, setting the stage for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers measured head blows in girls' lacrosse players, finding accelerations of up to 60g and reducing effects with protective headgear. The study's results suggest that while headgear can reduce accelerations, it may also increase aggression in the game.
Research found teens with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are two to four times more likely to drink alcohol, use cannabis, or abuse other drugs compared to peers without a history of TBI. Specifically, teens with TBI reported higher rates of using crystal meth.
Researchers at Penn Medicine identified a protein that predicts post-concussion severity in professional athletes. Elevated levels of calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) shortly after sports-related concussion can predict the severity of post-concussion symptoms.
A new MRI diagnostic approach has identified significant damage to the blood-brain barrier of professional football players following unreported trauma or mild concussions. The study showed that 40% of examined football players with unreported concussions had evidence of 'leaky BBB' compared to 8.3% of control athletes.
A new study suggests that repeated head injuries can disrupt the brain's energy use, leading to inflammation, degeneration of brain cell segments, and problems with learning and memory. The discovery could help explain the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease seen in professional athletes.
A study of over 43,000 children with head trauma found that falls were the most common cause of head injuries in children under 12, while assaults, sports, and car crashes were more prevalent in teenagers. The findings suggest that CT scans may be overused during diagnosis, and could help policy makers develop injury-prevention measures.
A nationwide study of over 43,000 children with head trauma provides valuable data on epidemiology, mechanisms, diagnoses, and treatments. The study found that falls were the leading cause of injury in young children, while older kids more often suffered head injuries due to assaults or motor-vehicle crashes.
The Brain 101 website, developed by Oregon researchers, increased knowledge and attitudes about concussions among students and parents in a study of 12 high schools. The tool, accessible online for free, includes educational resources for coaches, educators, teens, and parents.
A recent study published in Neural Computation found that CoQ10 supplements improved physical function in 80% of treated veterans with Gulf War illness. The study suggests that CoQ10 may be beneficial for those suffering from this chronic condition, which is linked to chemical exposures and mitochondrial damage.
A recent traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia in middle-aged and older adults. The study found that moderate to severe TBI was linked to higher dementia rates at age 55, while mild TBI at age 65 increased the risk.
A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that existing models for predicting outcomes after mild traumatic brain injury perform poorly. The study identified older age, pre-existing psychiatric conditions, and less education as the strongest predictors of poor outcomes after mTBI.
Two studies presented at a pediatric sports medicine symposium found that many parents lack knowledge about concussions, leading to delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment. The studies reveal common misconceptions about concussion symptoms and diagnosis, emphasizing the need for education and proper evaluation.
Researchers found that the brain's limited ability to repair itself after trauma can be enhanced when treated with tPA, a clot-buster commonly used for acute ischemic stroke. The study suggests that tPA administered through a nasal spray may have potential as a noninvasive treatment for subacute traumatic brain injury.
A study published by LA BioMed researchers found that patients who tested positive for THC in their system had a lower mortality rate than those who didn't, with only 2.4% of THC-positive patients dying compared to 11.5% of THC-negative patients. The researchers suggest that THC may help protect the brain after traumatic injury.
A study of 9,288 Ontario students found that teenagers with traumatic brain injuries, especially girls, reported significantly higher rates of harmful behaviors. The research highlights the importance of monitoring adolescents with TBI and providing support to prevent mental health issues and addiction.
A public-private partnership aims to develop better-run clinical trials and identify effective measures of brain injury and recovery. The collaboration will analyze data from thousands of patients using biomarkers, imaging equipment, and software.
MIT researchers develop a scaling law to estimate the risk of brain injury for humans and animals, revealing that humans are more vulnerable due to thinner skulls. The method may aid in diagnosing traumatic brain injury and developing protective helmets.
The university will focus on athletes participating in various sports, including football, soccer, and lacrosse, and receive comprehensive preseason evaluations for concussion. The study aims to inform a comprehensive understanding of sport-related concussion and traumatic brain injury.
The journal tackles past, current and future concepts of sports concussion through advocacy, education, prevention, treatment and groundbreaking research. Recent studies show that persistent post-concussion symptoms may arise from structural or metabolic alterations in the brain.
A comprehensive review of sports concussions highlights the evolution of concussion treatment and research, from helmets to rule changes. Neurosurgeons emphasize the importance of helmet safety and cultural changes in reducing head injuries.
A GW researcher is investigating the phenomenon of global brain injury in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The study aims to understand the impact of ICH on clinical outcomes and develop more effective treatment strategies. With a grant of $154K, Dr. Shahram Majidi will analyze CT scans and clinical data from 354 patients.
A new MRI technique using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) can help clinicians predict the likelihood of poor clinical outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury. This technique shows significant differences in white matter between mTBI patients with positive versus negative findings on CT and MRI evaluation.
A new class of compounds has been shown to protect brain cells from damage caused by blast-mediated TBI. The compounds, called P7C3 series, block axon damage and preserve normal brain function, even when treatment is delayed until 24-36 hours after injury.
A study by Imperial College London found that xenon gas limits brain damage and improves neurological outcomes in mice, both short-term and long-term. The findings suggest that xenon could be a potential treatment for head injuries in humans.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have found a synthetic molecule called PreImplantation Factor (sPIF) that protects against neuronal death and brain injury. The study suggests that sPIF mitigates brain damage through a novel pathway, potentially treating perinatal brain injuries and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers studied white matter damage and cognitive impairments in patients with traumatic axonal injuries. The study found that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can detect early white matter compromise and associate it with functional outcomes.
Researchers at Indiana University have isolated a process that damages the lungs of donors who suffered from traumatic brain injury, which may lead to improved lung transplant outcomes. The study found that fluid accumulation in the lungs occurs within hours after head trauma, limiting oxygenation and reducing lung function by nearly 80%.
Researchers suggest that an injury to the cerebellum during early life may disrupt brain development, leading to cognitive and behavioral symptoms associated with autism. The theory proposes that the cerebellum plays a crucial role in processing sensory information and organizing internal processes.
Researchers emphasize the need for cultural competence in brain injury research and rehabilitation to address growing minority populations and their higher risk of poorer outcomes. Studies highlight persistent health disparities among minorities with acquired brain injury, underscoring the importance of patient-centered interventions.
Researchers found that apolipoprotein E-derived therapeutic peptide improved synaptic stability and learning and memory performance after diffuse brain injury. The peptide also protected against brain injury by reducing oxidative stress, suppressing the ERK1/2-Bax mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and decreasing neuronal death.
A University of Oregon study found that high school athletes who return to activity within 60 days experience a significant regression in their balance and walking speed, affecting their ability to perform simple mental tasks. This regression was seen in 12 of 19 athletes, with 10 returning within less than a month.
The iTAKL study aims to increase understanding of pediatric mild traumatic brain injury by employing imaging, cognitive testing and biomechanical data. The research team hopes to provide objective data that will help prevent, mitigate, identify and treat head injuries.
Researchers have successfully created functional 3D brain-like tissue that exhibits grey-white matter compartmentalization and can survive in the lab for over two months. The tissue displays physical properties similar to rodent brain tissue, enabling scientists to study traumatic brain injury in real-time.
Cognitive research by Kessler Foundation scientists reveals that unexpected task constraint following self-generated task choice impairs task-switching performance. The study shows that individuals struggle to undo preparation for a task, leading to negative effects on multitasking ability.
Research published in Neural Regeneration Research found that atorvastatin, a commonly used lipid-lowering drug, protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The study discovered that atorvastatin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects contribute to its protective benefits.
Researchers tested mechanical tissue resuscitation by applying negative pressure to induce localized TBI in swine, showing a significantly smaller area of brain contusion and reduced bleeding. The procedure appeared safe without seizures or brain deformation, with all animals surviving after five days of vacuum application.
A new study published by University at Buffalo medical faculty finds that many of the same symptoms are common to concussions and to injuries to the neck and/or balance system, known collectively as cervical/vestibular injuries. Determining which condition a patient has experienced is critical, as courses of treatment are very different.
The NIH Stroke Trials Network brings together teams of researchers to identify priorities and provide training opportunities. Kessler Foundation & Kessler Institute participate in the network, focusing on rehabilitation and neuroimaging research.
Cerebral microbleeds have been shown to be a significant marker for diffuse axonal injury, which can lead to severe neurological disorders. The study highlights the importance of using susceptibility-weighted imaging to detect these tiny changes and evaluate traumatic cerebral microbleeds with high sensitivity.
The study found that melatonin treatment reduced decreased levels of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes in rats with traumatic brain injury, indicating a protective effect on cerebral cortex and blood toxicity. Melatonin also inhibited free radical formation and supported the antioxidant vitamin redox system.
A 3D image of a Paleolithic child's skull shows compound fractures indicating blunt force trauma, likely caused by interpersonal violence. The child is believed to have suffered from severe traumatic brain injury, which may have impacted their social communication and behavior.
Researchers found that high school lacrosse players experienced over 1,400 injuries between 2008 and 2012, with concussions making up 22% of the total. The study suggests that girls' lacrosse players are particularly at risk due to a lack of helmet requirements.
Researchers found that Ginkgo biloba treatment improved recovery and reduced brain damage after inducing experimental stroke in mice. The treatment also enhanced neurogenesis due to increased protein expression of hemeoxygenase 1, an antioxidant gene involved in neurogenesis.
A study published in Neurology found that even mild traumatic brain injury can cause brain damage and disrupt nerve axons in white matter. Cognitive tests showed a 25% decline in verbal letter fluency task scores for patients with injuries, strongly related to imaging measures of white matter damage.
A recent study suggests that persistent symptoms following concussion may be posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rather than postconcussion syndrome (PCS). The study found that 8.8% of patients with head injuries met the criteria for PTSD, compared to 2.2% of those without head injuries.
Researchers found that ADC values accurately reflect changes on the injured side but not on the uninjured side, indicating a delay in pathological changes. This study suggests that ADC measurements may not be reliable for detecting cytotoxic edema on the unaffected brain tissue after traumatic brain injury.
The Lancet Neurology calls for sports authorities to consider long-term neurological problems caused by repeated concussions in footballers. Many sporting organisations have drawn up new protocols to protect athletes who sustain a head injury, but the decision on return-to-play should be made solely by healthcare professionals.
A research review identified four clinical indicators most strongly associated with concussion, including disorientation, impaired balance, and verbal learning difficulties. The analysis provides an evidence-based foundation for developing guidelines for concussion diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
The study found that electrical stimulation of the fastigial nucleus can increase Ku70 expression, leading to decreased Bax protein and reduced mitochondrial apoptosis. Injured brain tissue showed co-localization of Ku70 with Bax.
A VLSM study found that neuronal injury in the corona radiate, caudate nucleus and putamen of patients with chronic stroke can predict walking speed. The study suggests that VLSM may provide a more accurate prognosis of motor recovery from chronic stroke according to neuronal injury in cerebral motor cortex.
Researchers found that non-invasive brain stimulations, including rTMS and tDCS, can regulate the activities of cerebral motor cortex neurons. These findings suggest potential therapeutic benefits for individuals with central nervous system injuries or damage.
A chronic subdural haematoma was reported after a Motörhead concert, highlighting the potential dangers of headbanging. The case study suggests that heavy metal music's fast tempo may contribute to such injuries.
A randomized clinical trial of 200 patients with traumatic brain injury found that administering erythropoietin or maintaining a higher hemoglobin concentration did not improve neurological outcomes at 6 months. Transfusion thresholds also had no significant impact on recovery rates.
Researchers recommend moving emphasis from dysfunction to competence, and propose embodiment theory as a viable solution. The latest edition of the DSM-5 also focuses on improving evaluations of persons with TBI by mental health professionals.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are 60% more likely to develop dementia than those without TBI. The study found that veterans with TBI developed dementia about two years earlier, highlighting the potential long-term consequences of TBI on cognitive health.
A new study found that blast traumatic brain injury may be linked to pituitary dysfunction, particularly in overweight patients. The study suggests that treating hormone deficiencies may help alleviate symptoms in veterans with this condition.
A pioneering study aims to quantify eye movements and brain responses in adults with convergence insufficiency (CI) to understand the underlying mechanisms of vision therapy. The research hopes to lead to new therapies improving daily activities, such as reading comfortably for longer periods.
A new study by researchers at the University of Chicago suggests that examining children's gestures at an early age can help identify those at risk for language and cognitive delays. The study found that early gesture can be used to diagnose language delays before they appear in speech, allowing for earlier interventions.
A study of 255 patients found that military personnel with concussive TBI caused by a blast or nonblast event had similar outcomes, including headache severity and depression. The study also found higher rates of moderate to severe disability in both TBI groups compared to control patients.