Articles tagged with Brain Injuries
A study of 91 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) found that depression was a common complication, affecting 33% during the first year. TBI patients with depression were also more likely to have mood and anxiety disorders, exhibiting aggressive behavior and reduced social functioning.
Concussions in sports require a collaborative approach to effective evaluation and treatment, according to Dr. Douglas McKeag. Key findings include the need for careful assessments by trained professionals and the potential for athletes to take up to seven days to recover from concussions.
A study of 1,631 football players found that symptoms gradually resolved by day 7, cognitive functioning improved within 5-7 days, and balance deficits dissipated within 3-5 days after injury. However, approximately 10% of players required more than a week for symptoms to fully resolve.
Researchers found that FGF-2 supplementation limits existing neuron loss while promoting new neuron generation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus following traumatic brain injury. This approach may offer a rational strategy for treating brain injury by enhancing neurogenesis and reducing neurodegeneration.
Virginia Tech researchers are developing a brain impact monitoring system using the HITS sensor system, which measures impacts in football helmets. The system aims to identify the level at which impacts begin to result in injury and inform the design of better sports headgear.
Researchers studied 13 young adults with muscle weakness after stroke and found that shaping therapy improved arm movement and motor activity. The study showed significant improvements in the amount of use and quality of movement, with stable results during a four-week follow-up.
A Northwestern University team created a compound that inhibits death-associated protein kinase, reducing brain cell death after injury or stroke. The treatment has shown protection for up to six hours post-injury and can last for weeks.
Researchers found that infant falls can produce significant rotational forces that cause widespread and serious brain injury, including internal bleeding and nerve cell damage. This challenges the assumption that children respond similarly to head trauma as adults.
A University of North Carolina study found that infant boys born to younger mothers and non-white mothers are disproportionately affected by shaken baby syndrome. The research estimated 306 child deaths per year from the condition, highlighting the need for increased awareness and preventive interventions among healthcare providers.
Researchers found that rotational deceleration increases with higher falls and harder surfaces, leading to more severe diffuse brain injuries. Inflicted impacts on hard surfaces are likely to cause subdural hemorrhage and possibly diffuse axonal injury.
A study found that athletes who experienced amnesia and confusion after a concussion were at risk of long-term neurocognitive deficits. Researchers recommend thorough evaluation and neuropsychological testing before returning to play.
The authors conclude that bodychecking should be banned in hockey until players are at least age 17 or 18 years old due to increased concussion and injury risks. Most physical growth occurs during this period, making it a critical time for protecting young athletes.
A study published in Archives of Neurology found that patients with moderate to severe brain injuries who inherited the epsilon 4 variation of apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene were more likely to develop seizures. The finding sheds light on post-traumatic epilepsy's pathophysiology and may lead to new therapies.
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University have developed the first comprehensive guidelines for treating brain injuries in children, addressing key issues such as airway management and surgical options. The guidelines aim to improve treatment consistency and outcomes across hospitals and clinicians worldwide.
Researchers found that a protein called palladin is upregulated following traumatic injury to the central nervous system, forming a barrier that blocks neurons from recovering. Palladin appears to control astrocyte cell shape, leading to structural changes associated with injury.
A new study suggests that children with suspected high-risk child abuse injuries have a high incidence of occult head injuries, often missed by routine exams. Brain scans detected more head injuries in 37% of patients, highlighting the need for universal CT or MRI screening in young children.
Researchers found that head injury significantly increases risk of developing Parkinson's disease, with severe injuries linked to a 20-year delay in symptoms. The study suggests that mild head injuries may not be associated with an increased risk, but more research is needed to understand the link.
More than 80% of traumatic brain injury patients surveyed believe alternative medicine (CAM) therapies like massage, meditation, and herbal medicine are effective. However, only half have discussed their use with physicians, raising concerns about the lack of transparency.
Studies found that patients with acute brain injury had lower levels of anti-inflammatory molecule a-MSH, which remained low over four days after injury. This impairment may have detrimental consequences for brain injury treatment.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital found that parents' reports of no history of trauma in children with neurological symptoms after head injuries were highly indicative of abuse. The research used medical test results and histories to assess the likelihood of abuse, finding that even low-impact traumas were predictive of abuse.
A new definition of transient ischemic attack (TIA) is proposed to improve stroke treatment, focusing on brain injury rather than arbitrary time limits. The revised definition aims to increase the use of clot-busting medication and reduce delays in treatment.
Researchers found a significant correlation between maternal placenta inflammation and infant neurological function decline. The study revealed chorioamnionitis as a key cause of perinatal brain injury, potentially leading to new diagnostic tests and preventive strategies.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that prior concussions may lower the threshold for subsequent concussion injury and increase symptom severity in seemingly mild subsequent concussions. The research, which compared 60 athletes with no prior concussion history to 28 athletes with three or more concussions, showed a significant incr...
Researchers found that roller coaster G forces, twists, and speeds are not sufficient to injure the brain of healthy riders. They calculated peak head accelerations in three directions and found they were well within established safety margins.
Researchers have found that neural stem cell transplants in mice improve specific components of motor function, but not cognitive abilities. The study suggests that neural stem cells could be a promising therapy for humans with traumatic brain injuries.
Researchers at Stanford University broke the learning process down into smaller steps for adult owls, allowing them to adjust their mental maps more accurately. This method showed promise in overcoming the age-related decline in learning abilities, with implications for treating brain injuries and improving physical therapy outcomes.
Researchers discovered that damaged brains can reorganize and compensate for damage by engaging new systems to perform memory tasks. This finding has implications for the treatment of traumatic brain injuries, highlighting the potential benefits of brain imaging studies in tracking changes and understanding recovery.
The study found that 6 deaths resulted from brain injuries, while 8 players died from heatstroke in 1970. Dr. Frederick Mueller recommends practices with regular cooling-off breaks and pre-practice physical examinations to prevent such fatalities.
Researchers found that blocking interleukin-1 can prevent additional brain tissue damage, suggesting a new potential treatment for traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. By inhibiting IL-1, macrophage activation is reduced, leading to less inflammation and cell death.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center are launching a three-year pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of progesterone in treating traumatic brain injury. The study aims to determine whether giving progesterone to victims of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can save lives and preserve mental function.
Researchers found laboratory testing combined with physical exams significantly helps identify internal abdominal injuries in children. Missed abdominal injuries are a major cause of preventable death and disability.
A Mayo Clinic study found that youth football injuries are rare and often mild. The risk of injury increased with the player's age and level of play, but not with body weight. Most injuries were contusions, while fractures involving the ankle growth plate were more common in higher grades.
Researchers at the University of South Florida found that individuals with the E4 type of apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene experience worse recovery of general memory function after brain injury. The study, which genotyped 110 head-injured patients, suggests common cellular responses in both traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease.
The study found a significant increase in bicycle helmet use from 36% to 84%, resulting in a decrease in head injuries among cyclists. However, another commentator suggests that legislation alone may not be sufficient to promote safe cycling and recommends combining it with other strategies such as bike paths.
A new surveillance program aims to collect detailed information on every head-injury patient at the University of Rochester Medical Center. This will help identify geographic clusters, environmental conditions, and potential treatment improvements for head injuries.
Researchers at UT Southwestern discovered that traumatic brain injuries trigger a rapid and prolonged regeneration of neurons in mice, with long-term effects even in distant areas. This study suggests the potential to develop new treatments using adult stem cells to enhance injured brain capabilities.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that mild head injuries can cause permanent damage to the brain, with effects not felt for months. The research suggests that repetitive head injuries may be a factor in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
A recent audit reveals major deficiencies in funding, staff, and service provision for head injured patients. Rehabilitation and follow-up services are poor, with only a third of A&E departments involved in recommended care.
The Penn team will focus on contusions and examine individual neurons' responses to injury. They aim to identify patterns of genes and proteins that are activated or suppressed, which could lead to new medications and treatments.
A population-based study found that the annual rate of potential brain injury was 16 per 10,000 among males and 7 per 10,000 among females. The leading causes of brain injury varied by age, with falls from heights being common among young children and accidents involving motor vehicles or bicycles being common among older teenagers.
A recent Ohio State University study found that substance abuse is a key factor in determining recovery from traumatic brain injuries, not violence. Patients with a history of substance abuse were less satisfied with life and less productive one year after discharge.
The Penn Head Injury Center will study the long-term effects of concussions with a $110,000 grant from NFL Charities. The center aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for traumatic brain injury and improve treatment outcomes.
A recent study found that individuals clinically identified as substance abusers have an elevated risk of injury. Alcohol-and-drug abusers had the highest risk of injury, followed by those who abused only one type of substance.
A study published in Neurology found that long-term scuba diving has no effect on brain function or structure. The researchers tested 24 professional divers and 24 non-divers and found no significant differences in cognitive function or brain imaging.
A study of over 8,000 Scottish children found that under-6s are at high risk of injury from bunk bed falls. Most injuries were classified as significant and included fractures, head trauma, and lacerations.
Fluoroscopy-guided intervention procedures can cause tissue damage due to continuous x-ray exposure. Guidelines aim to prevent this by modifying equipment and educating practitioners on efficient use.
A new UK research study found that creatine supplementation reduces brain damage in mice and rats with traumatic brain injury. Brain damage was reduced by 21%, 36% and 50% respectively when creatine was administered before or after the injury.
Researchers analyzed medical records of World War II veterans with head injuries and found a link between early adulthood trauma and later-life Alzheimer's disease. The more severe the injury, the greater the risk of developing AD, with those with severe injuries having a four-fold greater risk.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers reveals that infants' skulls are significantly weaker than adults', with one-eighth the strength, making them more susceptible to head injuries. The findings have broad implications for product design and safety standards in areas such as children's bicycle helmets and car seats.
Research shows that newborns who experience tissue injury and pain may develop a permanent rewiring of their nervous system, leading to increased sensitivity to pain later in life. The study used an animal model to demonstrate the effects of early pain exposure on adult pain pathways.
The Red Cross has identified new 'cruel weapons' such as sound beams, sticky foam, capture nets, and microwaves that can cause severe injuries. The organization's SIrUS Project aims to outlaw these weapons by defining superfluous injury and unnecessary suffering based on scientific data.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that traumatic brain injuries increase the risk of Alzheimer's Disease, with a median observed time from injury to onset of 10 years. The study suggests that traumatic brain injury interacts with other factors to hasten the onset of Alzheimer's in susceptible individuals.
Researchers have found that a biochemical storm triggered by traumatic brain injury can continue for at least a month, suggesting the need for extended treatment. This discovery challenges current thinking on treatment windows and highlights the importance of understanding the complex interactions between calpains and brain tissue damage.
Researchers found that brain trauma causes microscopic damage in the brain, leading to the formation of Alzheimer's-like plaques. The study supports previous evidence linking brain trauma to increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.
A new drug has been discovered that can prevent the death of brain cells endangered by neurological injury or disease. The drug works by switching off the production of an inflammatory protein called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is known to precede brain cell death in conditions of injury or disease.
A Penn State neuropsychologist emphasizes the need for individualized assessment when determining an athlete's readiness to return to play after a concussion. Reliable Change scores can provide a general guideline, but their application is limited by factors such as practice effects and difficulty in determining significant differences.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study highlights the dangers of heatstroke in football and recommends shorter practices, non-contact drills, and regular cooling breaks. Coaches are urged to prioritize player safety and prevent tragedies.
A team of researchers found that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may have a double-edged effect on brain-injured tissue, with potential benefits in chronic stages but harm in early stages. Blocking TNF in acute phases may be beneficial, while long-term recovery requires natural TNF presence.
Researchers found that head trauma impairs brain cells' ability to detect and repair DNA damage, leading to weeks of prolonged cell death. The study suggests that the body's surveillance system breaks down after an injury, making it difficult for cells to recover.
Researchers developed a new test to identify reading difficulties caused by brain injuries, which passed with high sensitivity compared to existing assessments. The Iowa-Chapman Reading Test can detect even subtle reading problems in patients who have trouble reading despite passing other standard tests.