Articles tagged with Brain Injuries
A study published in Neurology found that middle-age veterans who experienced concussions from blasts had lower levels of amyloid-beta in their spinal fluid, a potential marker for Alzheimer's disease. The study also linked lower spinal fluid amyloid levels to poorer performance on memory and thinking tests at older ages.
A team of researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina has discovered a novel protective response by which the brain naturally repairs itself after traumatic brain injury. Protein p17 plays a crucial role in this process, triggering the restorative mechanism of mitophagy to remove damaged tissue and initiate healing.
Researchers found that pre-existing mental health diagnoses lead to a greater emotional burden and prolonged recovery time after a concussion. The study also discovered a 'dose-response' effect, where more mental health diagnoses correlate with increased emotional symptoms and longer recovery periods. Boys with prolonged recovery exper...
Researchers found a correlation between Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait in 20 studies, noting similar brain injury causes both symptoms. Sleep quality deteriorates when dopaminergic medication is stopped, suggesting treatment potential for freezing of gait.
Researchers identified a novel bicarbonate-sensing GPCR, GPR30, that regulates reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke. GPR30 deficiency showed significant protection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
A national multicenter survey found that up to one-third of children who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 did not fully recover and experienced persistent symptoms. Children who had not recovered were more likely to have neurological symptoms, including headache and weakness.
A new study published in eClinicalMedicine found that the iTalkBetter app significantly improved patients' ability to talk after six weeks of use. The app provided digital speech therapy for over 200 commonly used words, with a 13% increase in naming items and improvements in spontaneous speech.
Neural stem cells developed into nerve cells when adhering to hydrogels with high positive charge, while those on lower positively charged gels became glial cells. The ability to influence differentiation could aid in nerve and glial cell regeneration and treatment of diseases like multiple sclerosis.
A new blood test uses the biomarker BD-tau to predict functional outcomes in patients after ischemic stroke. Higher levels of BD-tau are associated with more severe outcomes.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine found that traumatic brain injuries lead to widespread changes in neural connections throughout the brain. The study used imaging technology to track neuronal activity after a brain injury, revealing new pathways formed by both hemispheres.
A study of over 1.9 million US veterans found moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries associated with later brain cancer diagnoses, while mild TBI showed no link. The research highlights the need for further investigation into long-term health effects of TBI on war veterans.
A narrative review article in NeuroRehabilitation addresses the medicolegal challenges of litigating cases involving patients with disorders of consciousness. Clinicians and neurolitigators must be aware of the nuances, including terminology, assessment, prognosis, treatment, and patient rights.
Researchers developed a drug that targets the p17 protein to prevent brain damage after concussions. The treatment, LCL768, restores mitochondrial function and prevents secondary axonal degeneration in mouse models and human CTE cases.
A new study has shown that AT2R activation alleviates blood-brain barrier leakage, inhibits proinflammatory cytokines, and benefits cardiac function after TBI. This finding suggests that activation of AT2R may serve as a feasible strategy to benefit the long-term prognosis of TBI patients.
Researchers found that turbans greatly reduced the risk of skull fractures in areas covered with thick fabric, while different turban styles affected head injury risk. The study recommends covering larger areas with thicker fabric and reducing friction to minimize brain injuries.
A new study suggests that high-intensity training (HIT) may be beneficial for individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI), improving walking ability and potentially secondary benefits such as aerobic capacity and cognition. The study found greater increases in 6-minute walk test and peak treadmill speed during exercise testin...
A study published in Brain Injury found that processing speed deficits significantly impair delayed verbal recall and overall memory in people with acquired brain injuries. Researchers recommend cognitive rehabilitation techniques to improve processing speed and enhance quality of life.
Researchers found that low-dose X-ray irradiation reduced lesion size and reversed motor deficits in TBI and ischemic stroke mice, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic strategy. The treatment also accelerated substantial motor function recovery and promoted brain rewiring after stroke.
This study found that sports-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) result in higher rates of functional limitations six months after injury. In contrast, patients with non-sports related TBI exhibit better mental health and post-concussion symptom recovery. The findings highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of TBI outcomes.
A new large national study of collegiate student-athletes in the US finds no sex difference in concussion recovery, with similar recovery patterns on cognitive function, symptoms and mental health. Women reported more problems with eye and inner ear function after injury, but there was no significant delay in return to play.
Researchers found that bone marrow mononuclear cell infusion in children within 48 hours of severe traumatic brain injury reduced intensive care needs and preserved white matter. The treatment also enhanced connectivity in the corpus callosum, a midline structure in the brain.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger and Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new way to decrease early seizure likelihood among infants with Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Presymptomatic treatment involving anti-seizure medication and low-dose aspirin improves neurologic outcomes.
Scooter-related injuries in the US nearly tripled from 2016 to 2020, resulting in more severe injuries and higher healthcare costs. The study found that scooter riders were more likely to experience long bone fractures and paralysis than bicycle riders.
Stanford researchers found that ibogaine safely improves depression, anxiety and functioning among veterans with TBI. The study included 30 veterans who experienced significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, depression and anxiety after treatment.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have created a new treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) that leverages macrophages to deliver localized anti-inflammatory treatment. The approach reduced lesion size by 56% and significantly decreased local inflammation levels in pigs, offering a promising new direction for TBI treatment.
A new study published in The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation found that approximately 60% of people living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience chronic pain, even up to 30 years after injury. Chronic pain can significantly worsen outcomes for individuals with TBI, and medications are often the most frequently used treatment.
A new study found that COVID-19 infection can lead to persistent brain injury markers in the blood even months after recovery from hospitalization. Patients with neurological complications during the acute phase of the illness showed robust biomarker evidence of ongoing neuroglial injury.
Researchers investigated cognitive fatigue across multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and controls using two tasks, finding that fatigue was consistent across participants regardless of task. Cognitive fatigue correlated with longer response times and activation in the caudate nucleus and thalamus.
A Kessler Foundation study found that spatial neglect affects a substantial percentage of people with traumatic brain injury, with an incidence rate of 38% post-TBI. The study also revealed that right brain damage is more likely to result in spatial neglect, highlighting the need for timely treatment and screening guidelines.
A recent study published in EBioMedicine found that yellow fever virus causes myocardial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and vascular endothelium alterations, leading to cardiac conduction system disruption. The research provides new insights into the pathogenesis of YF-associated heart injury.
A NSF-funded project, MABLE, is developing a digital app using crowdsensing, AI, and robotics to empower individuals with responsive maps and turn-by-turn instructions. The app aims to improve accessibility and navigation for persons with visual or mobility impairments, such as those with low vision and wheelchair users.
Researchers have identified promising treatment candidates for morphine tolerance and cancer, as well as a biomarker for kidney injury. A monoclonal antibody targeting the mu-opioid receptor has been shown to alleviate morphine tolerance and physical dependence, while inducing excessive mitochondrial fission in tumor cells. Additionall...
Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney have developed a portable, non-invasive system that can decode silent thoughts and turn them into text. The technology has been shown to achieve state-of-the-art performance in EEG translation, with an accuracy score of around 40% on BLEU-1.
Researchers at George Washington University discover protein Snail plays key role in coordinating brain cell responses after injury, with potential to minimize damage and enhance recovery. Additional studies are needed to show increased Snail production could curtail injury or promote healing of the brain.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have identified a new source of stem cells in the brains of patients with brain injuries, which could lead to improved treatments for neurological disorders. The discovery involves specific astrocyte cells that exhibit properties of neural stem cells and can be regulated by a protein called Galectin 3.
A study found increased brain inflammation and structural changes in special operations personnel exposed to blasts, potentially increasing the risk of long-term brain-related disease. The research suggests that repetitive exposure to low-level blasts may cause brain injuries and highlights the need for better protective measures.
A study by Southern Methodist University researchers found that tennis ball head injuries can cause traumatic brain injuries, although they are rare. The study used computational modeling to simulate the impact of a tennis ball on a person's head, and found that high-speed impacts could lead to concussions or worse.
A new decision rule has been developed to identify patients who can safely forgo a head CT scan after falling, reducing unnecessary imaging and costs. The Falls Decision Rule can be applied to all older adults who have fallen, regardless of sustaining a head injury or recalling the fall.
Researchers developed a new technique using deep brain stimulation that restored cognitive abilities in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries. The study, published in Nature Medicine, exceeded expectations and showed promise against long-lasting impairments from brain injuries.
A new meta-analysis found that intravenous fluid therapy using balanced solutions can reduce the risk of in-hospital death in critically ill patients by four percent. Balanced solutions are more closely matched to human blood chemistry than commonly used saline, and may be associated with lower mortality rates.
A study found that non-deployed veterans with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to develop epilepsy due to the 'healthy warrior effect', where good health is required for deployment. Deployed veterans also had a higher risk of epilepsy, especially those with penetrating TBI.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have created a novel diagnostic device using eye-safe laser technology to detect traumatic brain injury. The device uses Raman spectroscopy to analyze biochemical and structural properties of molecules in the eye, providing information on the severity of trauma.
Researchers found high levels of a repair protein in the brains of former NFL athletes up to 12 years after they stopped playing, indicating persistent brain inflammation and long-term cognitive problems. The study suggests that repeated collision sports like football may have a direct link to long-term inflammation in the brain.
Researchers found that acoustic stimulation improved postconcussive symptoms in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury, although the benefits were largely sustained. The study's results suggest that listening to acoustic stimulation based on brain electrical activity may not improve symptoms more than randomly generated sound sti...
Researchers argue that the brain does not create new functions in previously unrelated areas but instead utilizes existing latent capacities. They provide alternative explanations for observed changes in brain activity following injury or deficit.
A study found that only 60% of ED patients with fall-related head injury followed up with their PCP, while 56% adopted a fall prevention strategy. Physical therapy was the most common intervention, used by 68% of patients.
A new study found that children with persisting symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury exhibited ongoing cerebral microstructural changes. The researchers used brain MRI-based metrics to detect these changes, which were more pronounced in symptomatic individuals than healthy controls.
Multimodal neuromonitoring (MNM) tracks blood flow, pressure, oxygen and glucose levels in the brain to inform treatment decisions. MNM has improved clinical outcomes for patients with severe traumatic brain injuries at the University of Cincinnati.
New research reveals a cocktail of approved drugs can quickly reduce brain swelling and improve outcomes in animal models of brain injury. The study suggests reopening lymph nodes as an emergency pressure release valve for the brain, addressing cerebral edema as the leading cause of TBI-related deaths.
A novel robotic system developed by USC researchers can help clinicians accurately assess a patient's rehabilitation progress. The method generates an 'arm nonuse' metric using machine learning and a socially assistive robot to track how much a patient is using their weaker arm spontaneously.
A study published in The Lancet Neurology found that monitoring brain injury biomarkers and glucose variation over the first week of hospitalization can provide a more accurate picture of the pathological process. This allows for division into different groups with distinct disease trajectories and prognoses, enabling personalized trea...
UArizona researchers are conducting a four-year clinical trial to investigate the effectiveness of angiotensin 1-7 as a potential treatment for TBI. The study aims to address the underlying inflammatory reaction that drives long-term effects of TBI.
The Otago Community Head Impact Detection study and Elite Extension study used smart mouthguard technology to measure head acceleration events in over 17,000 players. These findings provide greater clarity and confidence than ever before into the benefits and safety of rugby.
Researchers at Ohio State University will investigate the role of microglia cells in chronic inflammation and neuronal dysfunction after TBI, with a focus on preventing long-term consequences. The $7.7 million award aims to develop innovative healthcare solutions for traumatic brain injury survivors.
A study of 54 former NFL players found increased levels of translocator protein (TSPO) indicating brain injury, as well as lower learning and memory abilities. Further research is needed to understand the persistence and progression of these signs over time.
A nationwide study by Radboud University Medical Center found that approximately 32 patients in the Netherlands are in a minimally conscious state after severe brain injury. These patients were on average 45 years old and showed signs of consciousness, such as following simple commands or showing emotions.
A brain injury expert is calling for reforms to the Uniform Determination of Death Act, citing support from 83% of medical and advocacy organizations. The expert argues that the legal definition of death should align with medical standards, including clarifying what brain functions must be lost to declare someone legally dead.
A recent study by the University of Gothenburg found no correlation between post-COVID condition and ongoing viral infection or active brain damage. The study analyzed 25 participants with confirmed post-COVID condition, six without residual symptoms, and 17 control subjects, revealing undetectable SARS-CoV-2 antigens in all samples.
A new study from UTHealth Houston has found that the posterior temporal cortex and inferior frontal cortex are crucial for semantic integration during reading. This discovery may help illuminate the inner dynamics of aphasia, a disorder affecting language expression and comprehension.
Researchers analyzed 20,335 marching band injuries from 2012-2021, finding 70% occurred in high school-age females, mostly ankle and knee injuries. Mild traumatic brain injury accounted for 6% of all encounters, highlighting the need for education on risk prevention.