Articles tagged with Brain Injuries
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have identified a visible response to head trauma called the 'fencing response,' which can indicate damage to brainstem regions. This finding has immediate value for coaches and trainers, as it provides an objective cue to assess whether an athlete should return to play after a blow to the head.
Studies show that prototype helmets can improve blunt-impact protection for ground troops without compromising ballistic protection. A survey also reveals high incidence of driving-related anxieties among post-deployment soldiers, highlighting the need for better tools for diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury in the civili...
Researchers at LLNL used hydrodynamic simulations to show that nonlethal blasts can induce skull flexure and generate damaging loads in the brain. The study suggests that armor systems designed for impacts may not be optimal for blast wave protection, highlighting the need for improved helmet design.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found a strong link between concussions and brain tissue injury, using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to detect subtle changes in the brain. The study suggests that DTI scanning could help diagnose concussions and predict lasting loss of executive function.
A recent study published in Research in Sports Medicine found that football injuries sustained during the beginning and middle of a game are more severe than those occurring at the end or in overtime. The majority of severe injuries, including concussions, occurred during kickoff and punting phases.
Researchers found that training the central control process, including the brain and reflexive responses, may be necessary to counter the fatigue-induced ACL injury risk. The findings suggest a shift from performance-based to prevention-based athletic training programs.
Researchers discovered a drug that blocks transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptors can prevent brain changes associated with epilepsy in rats. This treatment halts hyper-excitability and prevents gene expression changes, offering hope for preventing epilepsy in humans after severe brain injury.
A team of researchers from Ben-Gurion University and UC Berkeley have identified a TGF Beta Blocker that prevents epilepsy in rats after brain damage. The blocker blocks hyper-excitability and gene expression changes that lead to epilepsy.
The ProTECT III study aims to enroll 1,140 patients across 15 states to confirm preliminary findings on progesterone's effectiveness in reducing mortality and disability in acute traumatic-brain-injured patients. Researchers believe progesterone's neuroprotective properties could lead to life-saving benefits.
Researchers are developing effective treatment strategies and animal model systems to study the effects of explosive blast-induced traumatic brain injury. Current research aims to recreate battlefield injuries in laboratory settings to better understand head injuries sustained during combat.
Researchers at UCLA's Brain Injury Research Center are re-examining the standard treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI), suggesting that fueling the brain with glucose may not be the best approach. Instead, they propose using alternative compounds like pyruvate and beta-hydroxybutyrate to optimize recovery.
A new UCLA study reveals that traumatic brain injuries in children can lead to persistent cognitive problems, emphasizing the need for targeted treatment and prevention through helmet use and seatbelt safety. The research also found that younger children are disproportionately affected by severe TBI.
A longitudinal study of children with severe traumatic brain injuries found that they experienced lasting problems with day-to-day functioning, including behavioral issues and cognitive deficits. A meta-analysis of previous studies also showed that problems persisted over time, especially for those with more severe injuries.
A study by researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that nearly all children admitted with concussions had abnormal brain function during testing. The hospital recommends a formal assessment before resuming exertional activities to prevent prolonging symptoms and repeat concussions.
Researchers studied 243 wounded Marines to identify risk factors for heterotopic ossification, a condition where bone forms in soft tissues. The study found that age, traumatic brain injury, amputation, and multiple injuries are key contributors to the development of this abnormal bone growth.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that treating sleep disorders in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not lead to improvements in daytime sleepiness. Despite significant reductions in sleep apnea severity, participants showed no changes in mood, quality of life, or cognitive performance.
Researchers at UQ have found a new treatment approach for dysarthria patients who have suffered a stroke or brain injury. The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment program has shown positive effects on voice clarity and communication confidence, improving quality of life for those affected by the disorder.
A blood test can predict the seriousness of a head injury and detect the status of the blood-brain barrier, offering a simpler and faster alternative to CT scans. The test, known as S-100B, has shown accuracy in predicting traumatic abnormalities and could lead to a 30% reduction in unnecessary CT scans.
Research highlights the benefits of cooling strategies to protect brain and spinal cord after trauma, with studies on animal models, operating room use, and treatment of cardiac arrest and stroke. Therapeutic hypothermia is emerging as a promising strategy for minimizing tissue damage.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found that a class of Alzheimer's disease drugs may prevent long-term damage from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in animals. The study suggests that gamma secretase inhibitors, designed to prevent build-up of amyloid peptide, could potentially do so.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that nearly 98% of soldiers who experienced a concussion or head injury while deployed in Iraq had headaches during their last deployment. The headaches often started within one week of the traumatic brain injury, with 60% experiencing migraine-like headaches.
A study of over 1.6 million young people in Denmark found that traumatic brain injury significantly increases the risk of epilepsy, with risks persisting for more than a decade after the injury. The risk is particularly high for those with severe brain injuries or family histories of epilepsy.
A four-year prospective cohort study will examine the cognitive and affective consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans. The study aims to provide evidence-based understanding of TBI's impact on veterans' quality of life, health care use, and community participation.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are evaluating a new mechanical arm, Armeo, to help patients with strokes and traumatic brain injuries regain arm strength through virtual exercises. The device allows for increased repetitions of tasks, potentially leading to quicker recovery.
Scientists found that exposure to blast overpressure from certain weapons, such as anti-tank guns and automatic rifles, causes mild brain injuries in pigs and rats. The study's results suggest that low frequencies are more effectively transmitted to the brain than high frequencies, leading to small haemorrhages and brain edema.
New data suggests that certain glucocorticoids, such as corticosterone, may be less harmful to fetal brain development than others like dexamethasone. This finding has significant implications for treating preterm infants and reducing the risk of cerebral palsy and cognitive impairment.
Researchers found that mild electrical current to a motor control area of the brain improved motor task performance significantly. The technique has potential for enhancing rehabilitation for individuals with brain injuries.
A meta-analysis of cognitive rehabilitation studies suggests that treatments tailored to age, injury, symptoms, and time since injury are more effective. Cognitive skills training in specific domains like attention and visuospatial processing shows promise, while holistic approaches have limited benefits.
The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation devotes a special supplement to traumatic brain injury (TBI), featuring studies on patterns, predictors, and mechanisms for recovery. The supplement aims to encourage new directions for treatment research based on the root causes of behavioral and brain dysfunction.
A University of Missouri study suggests that spiritual experiences associated with selflessness are related to decreased activity in the right parietal lobe of the brain. Researchers found that individuals with traumatic brain injury reported higher levels of spiritual experiences, such as transcendence.
The five-year study aims to determine which rehabilitation therapies are most successful in improving outcomes for patients with different types and severities of traumatic brain injuries. The researchers will analyze data from over 2,300 patients to identify effective treatments.
Researchers found that training individuals to read body language, facial expressions, and voice tone in others resulted in significant gains in emotional perception. This skill is crucial for successful social communication and helps overcome chronic social difficulties or isolation. The training regime, known as self-instruction trai...
A multidisciplinary team from McGill University Health Centre developed effective predictive tools to assess patient progress after severe traumatic brain injury. The study found that cognitive and emotional faculties did not develop to the same extent as physical function, leading to persistent deficits.
A study of over 900 homeless individuals in Toronto found that 58% of men and 42% of women had a history of traumatic brain injury, leading to poorer physical and mental health status. The findings suggest that traumatic brain injury may be a causal factor contributing to homelessness through cognitive or behavioral sequelae.
A US neurosurgeon reports promising results treating soldiers with severe brain injuries in Iraq, where aggressive therapies led to unexpected survival rates. In contrast to predicted dire outcomes, some patients showed remarkable recovery, challenging the predictive value of standard neurological assessments.
Research funded by the Wellcome Trust suggests that inflammation in the brain resulting from infection or injury may accelerate the progress of dementia. Systemic inflammation can cause changes in memory and learning, leading to accelerated progression of dementia.
A study found that recovery from brain injury increases amyloid beta levels in patients, with better neurological status correlating to higher levels. The findings suggest a new understanding of the connection between brain injury and Alzheimer's disease.
The study found that placental insufficiency leads to smaller brain volume in preterm infants, and degree of prematurity is the single most significant risk factor for brain injury. The research also suggests a link between genetic regulation of an inflammatory transmitter and brain growth.
A consortium of researchers is undertaking a five-year initiative to improve diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). The Department of Defense has awarded $35 million to support the project, which aims to develop innovative methods for diagnosing and treating MTBI. The research will focus on basic and clinical st...
Researchers at LSUHSC have identified a naturally occurring fatty acid, 2-AG, that functions as an endogenous COX-2 inhibitor, protecting brain cells from neurodegenerative diseases. The study provides new therapeutic approaches to prevent devastating disorders like stroke and Alzheimer's.
Researchers created a new prognostic model for traumatic brain injury using patient characteristics from the IMPACT database, including age, motor component of Glasgow coma score, and pupillary reactivity. The model also includes haemoglobin and glucose measurement, providing a more comprehensive prediction of outcomes.
A study published in Pediatrics found that cerebral malaria is related to long-term cognitive impairment in African children. At six months and two years after the initial episode, 21% and 26% of children with cerebral malaria showed significant cognitive impairment compared to their healthy peers.
A study by Dartmouth researchers found that people can acquire motor skills through observation as well as practice. The Action Observation Network in the brain was activated equally when participants observed practiced and unpracticed sequences.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons are urging ATV riders to follow safety tips to reduce the incidence of ATV-related injuries. Plastic surgeons treat thousands of patients with severe head trauma, eye injuries, disfiguring lacerations, and facial fractures from ATV accidents eac...
A study published in Journal of Neurosurgery found that early nutritional supplementation can improve survival rates for traumatic brain injury patients, with a four-fold increase in chances of survival. The researchers recommend a minimum of 25kcal/kg daily intake to achieve optimal healing.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that giving infants and children 100% oxygen after a brain injury can cause more harm than good. The study suggests that brief exposure to 100% oxygen during resuscitation worsens white-matter injuries, leading to increased brain-cell death and coordination problems.
Researchers found that administering a simple polymer, Polyethylene glycol, within four hours of a head injury can limit damage and improve behavioral tests in rats. The treatment is potentially feasible for victims of traumatic brain injury, especially when delivered at the scene of an accident.
After a motorcycle helmet law was repealed, the number of head injuries among motorcyclists increased by 32% and hospitalizations rose by 42%. The study suggests that universal helmet laws can help protect riders and lower healthcare costs.
Golf cart-related injuries have increased by over 130% between 1990 and 2006, with falls being the most common cause. The study highlights the need for stricter regulations and safety measures to prevent these types of injuries, particularly among children.
Induced hypothermia has been shown to reduce permeability of the blood-brain barrier and formation of small blood clots after injury. However, its use is underutilized in the UK and US due to lack of implementation strategies.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found that non-white defendants are nearly twice as likely to receive severe prison sentences than white defendants. The study of North Carolina cases from 2000 and 2001 highlights the need for re-examining judicial responses to child abuse.
Researchers developed a new MRI technique that can detect diffuse axonal injury, a type of brain damage often overlooked. The test analyzed water motion in areas surrounding nerve cells and found significant links to recovery rates.
The Center for Translational Injury Research will focus on new medical technologies to improve diagnosis, care, and survival of trauma victims. Researchers aim to tackle pressing issues like brain injuries, bleeding patients, and regenerative medicine in skin replacement therapy.
Researchers have found that a common contraceptive pill ingredient, progesterone, can improve neurologic outcomes for patients with severe head injuries. Progesterone was linked to increased survival and favorable outcomes at six months after treatment, with no complications reported.
A new RAND Corporation study finds nearly 20% of returning military service members report symptoms of PTSD or major depression, with only half receiving minimally adequate treatment. The study estimates PTSD and depression among returning service members will cost the nation up to $6.2 billion in the two years following deployment.
Men with serious injuries and strong traditional masculine ideas are more likely to abuse alcohol, making it harder for them to heal and cope with their emotions. Researchers found that these individuals may struggle with a 'go it alone' mentality and suppress bad feelings by turning to alcohol.
The symposium examined the incidence of inflicted traumatic brain injury in young children and explored issues of definitions, surveillance methods, and prevention strategies. Key findings indicate that SBS is a form of intentional injury with a high mortality rate and long-term disability for survivors.
Blunt cerebrovascular injuries can be accurately diagnosed using whole-body MDCT, rivaling the effectiveness of neck MDCT angiography. The study found that both methods had comparable accuracy in detecting these injuries.
Researchers have discovered that reactive glial cells in injured brains can differentiate into new nerve cells through the activation of neural stem cells. This finding has significant implications for the development of therapies for brain injuries.
A study of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients found that more severe injuries result in greater brain tissue loss, affecting both white and grey matter. The research provides a clue to the nature of brain damage causing disability after TBI.