Research on brain injury and recovery. Covers sports concussion policy, age and recovery, CTE in athletes, and deep brain stimulation.
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 new study published in Frontiers in Neurology found that eight-session gist-reasoning training can significantly improve higher-order thinking and other key frontal lobe functions in chronic recovery stages. Participants showed improved abstraction of meanings, executive functions, and memory for facts.
The TGen Concussion Research Fund will support a collaboration between TGen, Riddell, Barrow Neurological Institute, and Arizona State University's Sun Devil football team to find a better way to diagnose concussions on the field. This research could enable physicians to identify when a player is concussed and when they might recover.
Researchers found that apolipoprotein E-derived therapeutic peptide improves synaptic stability and learning memory performance after diffuse brain injury. Apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide also reduces neuronal apoptosis by suppressing the ERK1/2-Bax mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.
A new study suggests that genes play a key role in the risk of brain injury for premature babies. Variation in genes associated with schizophrenia and fat metabolism has been linked to increased risk of brain injury on MRI scans.
A new study suggests that older individuals with a history of migraines are more likely to experience ischemic silent brain infarction, which can increase the risk of future strokes. Researchers found a doubling of these injuries in people with migraine compared to those without, highlighting the importance of lifestyle changes and pre...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) saw a significant increase in emergency department visits, with rates rising by 29% between 2006 and 2010. The majority of visits were for minor injuries, and most patients were discharged from the ED.
A University of Washington researcher found that a 20-minute conversation with a social worker can significantly reduce functional decline in patients with mild traumatic brain injuries. Social workers can provide education, coping strategies, resources, and follow-up care to help patients recover from these types of injuries.
A study published in Radiology found that males with concussions took an average of 66.9 days to recover, compared to 26.3 days for females. DTI scans revealed abnormalities in the white matter tract UF, which correlated with recovery time and was a stronger predictor than initial symptom severity.
A study of Utah youth with suspected sports-related head injuries found that emergency room visits and head CT scans have increased since the state's concussion law was passed in 2011, potentially leading to unnecessary radiation exposure. Researchers are calling for legislators to consider the effects of the law on treatment protocols.
Researchers developed a new mouse model to study the behavioral damage caused by repeated blows to the head. The study shows that mice with mild TBI develop similar behavioral problems as humans with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), including difficulty sleeping, memory issues, depression, and poor judgment.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that nearly half of homeless men suffered a traumatic brain injury in their life, with most occurring before they lost their homes. The study highlights the links between TBI and mental health issues, substance abuse, seizures, and poorer physical health.
Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, was named the 63rd Mendel Lecturer by Saint Peter's University for her research on treating cognitive deficits following neurological illness and injury. Her work focuses on improving cognition in individuals with multiple sclerosis, TBI, stroke, and dementia.
Research suggests that cognitive reserve, the brain's ability to adapt and compensate for injury, plays a role in recovery from traumatic brain injury. Those with higher educational attainment are more likely to achieve full recovery, with nearly 40% of patients with 16 or more years of education fully recovering.
A study published in the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals with higher levels of education tend to recover better from traumatic brain injuries. This is attributed to the cognitive reserve theory, which suggests that educated individuals have a greater ability to maintain brain function despite damage.
A recent study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that atorvastatin, a commonly used lipid-lowering drug, protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The study, led by Dr. Qiuyun Tu and colleagues, showed that atorvastatin reduces inflammation and oxidative stres...
A study of US military personnel with blast plus impact concussive TBI found that those with the injury experienced high levels of overall disability and a significantly increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorders. The study also highlights the importance of considering the long-term effects of such injuries in military populations.
A recent study found that football players' brains do not fully recover from head hits, even after six months of rest. The study suggests that inflammation may be a key factor in whether players recovered within six months.
Researchers used MRI to identify regional white matter damage in brain regions associated with chronic dizziness and vestibulopathy after concussion. The study suggests that MRI can speed the onset of effective treatments for concussion patients.
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers has linked lingering brain injury from head trauma to social difficulties in children. The study found that the thickness of a specific brain region was associated with a child's social life and thinking skills.
Polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis have been shown to protect PC12 neuronal cells from H2O2-induced cytotoxicity, reduce apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and increase mitochondrial membrane potential. In a rat model of local cerebral ischemia, Angelica sinensis polysaccharides enhanced antioxidant activit...
Research published in PNAS identifies the insula as a key brain region disrupted in individuals with gambling addiction. The study reveals that problems gamblers are more susceptible to cognitive distortions, such as the gambler's fallacy, due to insula hyperactivity.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario found that rural youth are more prone to concussions caused by motorized vehicle accidents, while urban youth tend to suffer from sports-related injuries. The study highlights the need for targeted injury prevention programs and education on concussion protocols in various settings.
Researchers found that Dab2 overexpression significantly increased TβRII and p-SMAD2/3 levels, reducing amyloid-beta deposition, microglia activation, and neuronal loss in APP/PS1 mouse brain tissue. This suggests a neuroprotective role of Dab2 in Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that rats with diffuse axonal injury showed no significant abnormalities despite visible evidence of brain damage. This suggests that even subconcussive injury may lead to neuropathological changes, supporting concerns about long-term effects in humans.
A study of homeless and vulnerably housed individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) found they are more likely to visit emergency departments, be arrested or assaulted. The research highlights the importance of screening for TBI and providing support to manage behaviors after brain injuries.
Researchers at USF Health have found that a combination of human umbilical cord blood cells and granulocyte colony stimulating factor significantly reduced TBI-induced loss of neuronal cells in the hippocampus. The therapy also showed beneficial results in animals with experimental TBI, with G-CSF alone producing short-lived benefits.
A new study found that extreme sports like skateboarding and snowboarding have the highest risk of severe head and neck injuries. Concussions were the most common injury, with a higher risk in snowboarding and skateboarding. The Academy recommends helmet use for safer participation.
A new cell type has been identified as a contributing factor to post-traumatic epilepsy caused by traumatic brain injury. The study found that damage to interneurons disrupts neurotransmitter levels, leading to increased epileptic activity.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has used mathematical modeling to better understand the mechanisms involved in traumatic brain injuries. Their findings reveal that rapid impacts can cause permanent damage due to the rate of stretching, not just the force applied.
Pretreatment with SSTF reduces infarct volume and apoptosis in hippocampal neurons, restoring neurological deficits and improving the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. SSTF increases Bcl-2 expression and decreases Bax expression, suggesting multiple pathways for neuroprotection.
Researchers found blocking an inflammatory protein in mice prevents brain injury, but not premature birth. The anti-inflammatory drug halted brain damage without affecting birth timing.
Veterans exposed to explosions may have brain damage despite lacking symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to researchers at Duke Medicine. The study found comparable white matter damage in both groups, with no clear link between brain injury and cognitive problems such as reaction time or decision-making.
Researchers found that higher educational attainment attenuates the negative impact of TBI on cognitive status. The study suggests that intellectually enriching activities may protect against further cognitive decline.
Researchers studied 30 adults with TBI to understand the relationship between self-awareness, depression, and self-reported quality of life. They found that higher levels of self-awareness were associated with poorer quality of life and lower satisfaction, while depressive symptoms significantly impacted self-reports.
A review of UK troop mental health finds most regulars resilient, but certain groups more vulnerable; depression and anxiety prevalent, while harmful drinking remains a concern. The evidence suggests that social support during childhood and after leaving the Army has a greater impact on suicide rates than deployment.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that a single polymorphism in the BDNF gene affects intelligence after traumatic brain injury. Individuals with a specific genetic variation showed improved cognitive function, while those without it experienced impaired recovery.
A simple vision test, the King-Devick test, can be used to increase the accuracy of concussion diagnosis in athletes. The study found that 100% of concussions were identified when combining the test results with other concussion assessments.
A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that retired professional football players who suffered repeated concussions had reduced levels of growth hormone, gonadotropin, and testosterone, leading to disorders such as metabolic syndrome and impaired quality of life. The study suggests that repeat concussion may elicit pitui...
A new study by the American Academy of Neurology found that football helmets on average reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by only 20 percent compared to not wearing a helmet. The study also showed that some helmet brands, such as the Adams a2000, provide better protection against concussion and closed head injury than others.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia are investigating the potential of brilliant blue G to treat traumatic brain injuries. The dye may temporarily block an immune response that leads to swelling, which can cause damage to brain tissue.
Researchers have identified the 'scaffold' of human brain networks, detailing connections that have the greatest influence over all other connections. The study found not all brain connections are equally important and some may be more vulnerable to damage, with implications for understanding brain injury and disease.
Researchers warn that soccer's unique aspect – the purposeful use of the head to control the ball – may contribute to long-term cognitive consequences. Studies found concussions accounted for 5.8% to 8.6% of injuries in soccer games, with players who executed more headers experiencing memory and planning deficits.
A study found that susceptibility-weighted imaging can detect small clusters of hypointensity in the brain, indicating acute and chronic injuries from concussion or subconcussive events. The research also identified sex differences in the extent of these changes.
Researchers explore different models of recovery after brain injury, highlighting the importance of combining clinical intuition with CRT theory. Studies also investigate the impact of pediatric CRT on intellectual functioning and nonverbal communication processing after TBI.
A new study confirms a variant in the SERPINE1 gene is linked to cerebral palsy and death in very preterm babies. The findings add to evidence that genes may play a role in brain injury and death risk in preterm infants.
Researchers found that retrieval practice (RP) significantly improved memory in individuals with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly after short delays. RP was more effective than massed restudy (MR) or spaced restudy (SR) strategies, indicating its potential to improve real-life performance.
A Johns Hopkins study finds that newborn brain injury causes different responses in male and female brains, with females showing milder cell death and better response to certain therapies. Researchers highlight the need for gender-specific research to develop precisely targeted treatments.
Researchers Sarj Patel and Tom Rau aim to identify biomarkers of TBI through blood samples, improving diagnosis and treatment. The goal is to understand how localized injuries affect the entire brain.
Researchers at IU School of Medicine will use advanced neuroimaging techniques to study high school athletes and understand the impact of concussions on brain blood flow. The study aims to improve understanding of concussion symptoms, cognitive functioning, and detection methods.
A new study found that an estimated 530,494 children were injured in US emergency departments from 1990 to 2011 due to shopping cart-related incidents. The majority of injuries were head trauma cases, with a significant increase in concussions and closed-head injuries over the study period.
A new study found that NHL teams pay out $218 million annually for lost time due to injuries. Concussions were the most expensive type of injury, accounting for $42.8 million per year. The research highlights the need for better protection for athletes in hockey.
Concussions are common among middle-school girls who play soccer, with cumulative concussion incidence of 13 percent per season. Most players (58.6%) continue to play with symptoms, while almost half (44.1%) seek medical attention.
Researchers discovered that brain regions synchronize their activity to make it possible for people to pay attention, with the process likened to tuning multiple walkie-talkies to the same frequency. The findings have implications for understanding attention deficits in brain injuries or strokes.
Researchers found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors are three times more likely to die prematurely from suicide or fatal injuries. The study also showed that TBI survivors who have a history of substance abuse or psychiatric disorders are at highest risk of premature death.
Researchers have discovered a novel method of treating traumatic brain injury by stimulating 'caretaker cells' to reduce swelling. The treatment, using compounds like 2-methylthio-ADP and MRS2365, has shown promise in reducing edema and prolonging the life of neurons.
The US Army's new strategic research plan aims to improve treatment outcomes for traumatic brain injury by identifying critical research priority areas. The report highlights six main target areas, including pharmacological interventions and preclinical drug assessment.
Researchers used mass spectrometry to identify 10 differentially expressed proteins in the brain after acute high-altitude hypoxia. These proteins are involved in the electron transport chain and ATP synthase function, providing potential targets for treating hypobaric hypoxia-related brain injury.
Researchers found that fetal umbilical veins exhibit stress relaxation and creep properties similar to those of middle cerebral arteries, making them a suitable alternative for reconstruction. These findings indicate that the fetal umbilical vein can be transplanted to repair middle cerebral artery injury with favorable outcomes.
Scientists use reactive glial cells to regenerate healthy neurons in a breakthrough technology for treating brain injuries and Alzheimer's disease. In mouse models and human cell cultures, the method successfully converts glial cells into functional neurons.