Research on brain injury and recovery. Covers sports concussion policy, age and recovery, CTE in athletes, and deep brain stimulation.
A Chinese Medical Journal study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution of epilepsy across China, finding significant increases in incidence and prevalence rates between 1990 and 2019. The study also showed a general decrease in age-standardized DALY rates with increasing socio-demographic index.
Researchers studied brain activity in rats as they learned a fine motor task, discovering synchronous low-frequency oscillatory activity that coordinated neural spiking in the motor cortex and cerebellum. This activity may serve as a biomarker for skill learning and a target for electric stimulation to promote motor recovery after stroke.
The American Heart Association is recognizing 10 leading stroke scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of stroke research. Among them, Dr. Cheryl Bushnell will be honored with the Ralph L. Sacco Outstanding Stroke Research Mentor Award for her exceptional mentorship and research in women's issues related to str...
A new UCLA-led study found that many patients do not receive sufficient rehabilitation therapy after a stroke, which can lead to long-term disability. Hispanic patients were particularly affected, receiving lower amounts of physical and occupational therapy.
Research highlights underuse of dual blood thinners in women after minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), with potential benefits for stroke prevention. A study analyzed electronic health records of 2,953 adults and found that women were less likely to receive the treatment regimen, despite evidence suggesting its effectiveness.
A 20-year study reveals that recent advances in surgical and clinical care have significantly reduced brain injuries in babies with congenital heart disease. Infants who received higher postoperative blood pressure had a 20% lower risk of brain injury compared to those in earlier stages.
A new biomaterial has been developed that can be injected intravenously to promote cell and tissue repair, reducing inflammation in damaged tissues. The material has shown promising results in treating heart attacks and traumatic brain injury in animal models.
Research found that experiencing three or more concussions is linked with worsened brain function in later life. Participants who reported multiple concussions showed significant cognitive decline, particularly in attention and complex task completion.
A 30-year US study found that adults with head injuries had a twice higher mortality rate than those without. Those with severe head injuries experienced nearly tripled mortality rates.
A research team led by Dr. Eddie Ma Chi-him identified a therapeutic small molecule M1 that increases mitochondrial dynamics and sustains long-distance axon regeneration, restoring visual functions in mice. Regenerated axons elicited neural activities and survived for four weeks after optic nerve injury.
A new study suggests that athletes who recover slowly from concussion may be able to return to play within a shorter timeframe. Researchers found that three-quarters of slow-recovery athletes were able to return to sports in just one more month, providing encouraging news for those trying to get back into their sport.
A UK program using magnesium sulfate to prevent cerebral palsy in premature babies has been shown to be both effective and cost-effective. The PReCePT program increased the use of magnesium sulfate by 9.5 percentage points on average, resulting in a lifetime saving of £3 million.
A new study from Duke University found that a person's race affects their inclination to ask questions, with Black women asking half as many questions as White participants. This may impact diagnosis and treatment of communication impairments resulting from right hemisphere stroke.
The INCOG 2.0 guidelines provide critical updates to address issues in cognitive rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury, including the use of telerehabilitation tools to promote clinical implementation. The guidelines aim to close the evidence-practice gap and improve outcomes for individuals with TBI.
Researchers developed a lightweight, ultra-shock-absorbing foam that outperforms existing materials in mitigating concussions. The new material exhibits superior mechanical properties and can remain robustly shock-absorbing across various temperatures.
A study of 2 million births found maternal unintentional injury during pregnancy increases risk of cerebral palsy. Children exposed to maternal injuries that resulted in hospitalization or preterm delivery are at higher risk.
Recent studies from the University of Eastern Finland found that lower education levels and previous traumatic brain injuries may increase the risk of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD patients were more likely to have cardiac disease and develop the condition earlier if they had a history of head injury.
A team from California Institute of Technology has developed a brain-machine interface device that can predict internal speech in patients with tetraplegia. The device, trained on single neurons in the supramarginal gyrus, achieved accuracy up to 91% in predicting eight words.
Researchers propose that delayed recoveries in COVID-19 patients may be due to a protective response from their brains, similar to those seen in animals exposed to extreme conditions. This theory could lead to new approaches for ICU sedation and recovery from disorders of consciousness.
A clinical trial of elite Swedish ice hockey teams found that early head-and-neck cooling resulted in a significantly shorter recovery time after concussion. The median time to return-to-play was 9 days in the intervention group, compared to 13 days in the control group.
Research found a hospital code response team arrives at least one minute quicker and leads to better patient outcomes with smartphone emergency code notification systems. The study used a secure texting system that connected with electronic medical records, reducing conventional methods' average delay of 78 seconds.
A novel algorithm uses near-infrared spectroscopy to estimate intracranial pressure (ICP) based on hemoglobin levels. The research validates the accuracy of this method using invasive ICP data.
A new study has identified a specialized and distinctive type of microglia with enhanced antioxidant function in the ischemia/reperfusion injured brain, linked to stroke. The presence of Peroxiredoxin-1 protects against acute I/R injury, reducing microglial cell death and inflammatory responses.
A study of over 700 children aged 8-16 with concussions found that engaging in moderate screen time was associated with faster symptom clearance. The researchers suggest using moderation as the approach to screen time, rather than complete bans, to support concussion recovery.
Researchers found that synthetic turf football fields have a greater impact deceleration compared to natural grass, increasing the risk of injury and concussion. The study's findings suggest that considering safety in sports requires widening our view to include playing surfaces.
Between 2011-2020, e-scooter injuries in children increased, with over 10% of patients sustaining head injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, and internal bleeding. Hospital admittance for e-scooter injuries rose from 4.2% to 12.9%, highlighting the need for helmet safety.
The study attributes the uptick in injuries to disruption of family routines and stay-at-home orders during pandemic, resulting in decreased helmet use and increased head injuries. The research found a 37% increase in pediatric injuries from 2018 to 2020, with most problematic for publicly insured patients.
The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System will provide ongoing care and research, aiming to improve learning and memory impairment in TBI patients. The system's site-specific study will examine the impact of aerobic exercise training on managing new learning and memory impairment.
A new CAPSTONE study aims to identify inflammatory biomarkers associated with positive and poor outcomes in patients after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) strokes. By analyzing patient blood and plasma samples, researchers hope to develop targeted treatments to prevent long-term brain degeneration.
Researchers found elevated traumatic brain injury biomarkers in football players in skill positions, including quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs. The study suggests that head impact magnitude, not frequency, causes the greatest elevations in TBI biomarkers.
Research has found that former Scottish international rugby union players are at a significantly increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and motor neurone disease. The study's findings suggest that strategies to reduce head impact and traumatic brain injury in all sports are necessary.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
A new study found that treating brain injury with anti-inflammatory medication as early as three days after birth may prevent severe cerebral palsy. The research showed that giving Etanercept to foetal sheep after oxygen deprivation reduced cystic white matter injury.
Scientists developed a laser-based zebrafish model to simulate traumatic brain injuries and identify molecular targets for treatment. The model revealed the importance of microglia activation and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain recovery.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that children who experience a mild traumatic brain injury are more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems. The study, which analyzed data from thousands of children, revealed a 15-percent increased risk of these problems in kids with a mild TBI.
A study published in Injury Prevention found that adolescents who experienced a concussion in the past 12 months were 25% more likely to be in poor academic standing. This association was stronger with a history of repeated concussions, and varied by race/ethnicity.
A groundbreaking crowdsourced study has provided the first epidemiologic data on coma in the United States and United Kingdom. The research, involving nearly 2,000 participants, identified 714 plausible cases of common coma, providing critical insights into its incidence and causes.
Researchers studied axolotls to understand brain regeneration, finding similarities between development and regeneration processes. They discovered a rejuvenated state of development during regeneration, which could lead to improved treatments for severe injuries in humans.
Researchers found a lower concussion rate in Florida, where headgear was mandated, compared to states without. The rate was 0.39 concussions/1000 athlete exposures with mandatory headgear, vs 0.44 without. This suggests that headgear may be worth considering for high schools and other levels of play.
A study reveals that four nonexcitatory amino acids can cause irreversible brain destruction after a stroke or traumatic brain injury. The amino acids flood the brain cells, leading to swelling and cell death.
Researchers developed a blood test that predicts poor outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), allowing clinicians to make decisions earlier on possible treatment. The test, which measures protein biomarkers GFAP and UCH-L1, showed high accuracy in predicting death and severe disability six months after injury.
The new guidance provides a comprehensive approach to preventing unrecognised oesophageal intubation, addressing both technical and human factors. It recommends standardising carbon dioxide monitoring and pulse oximetry, using videolaryngoscopes for correct placement, and addressing stress-related management of crises.
Researchers developed a peptide that can be administered through nasal spray to reduce seizure activity and protect neurons in both Alzheimer's and epilepsy. The A1R-CT peptide inhibits neurabin, a protein that prevents the overactivation of neurons, allowing for increased action by adenosine receptors.
University of Cincinnati researchers are studying whether targeting an inflammation pathway can improve patient results for soldiers with burn injuries combined with traumatic brain injuries. The research focuses on a specific protein that causes inflammation, which can lead to complications such as anemia and death.
Researchers propose a new learning method for individuals with autism, utilizing 'memory flashes' to accelerate learning and improve visual perception capabilities. The study showed significant improvement in both learning speed and generalization of skills, even under new conditions.
A study in biomechanics measures the impact of head-first, hand-first, and feet-first diving to provide data-driven recommendations for safe diving. The researchers found that spinal cord and neck injury is likely above eight meters in a head-first dive, while knee injury is likely above 15 meters with feet-first diving.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered molecular signatures associated with acute and chronic phases of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study aims to address current limitations in TBI diagnosis and treatment by identifying biomarkers and understanding the blood-brain barrier's role in drug delivery.
A study found an association between prior head injury and a reduced sense of smell in older adults, particularly those with multiple injuries and more severe trauma. The researchers suggest that repeated blows to the head may damage olfactory receptors, leading to anosmia.
A multi-site trial found OP-101 to be effective in reducing inflammatory markers and markers of neurological injury, with improved outcomes for patients. The study showed a significant reduction in the composite outcome of mechanical ventilation or death at 30 and 60 days after treatment.
Kessler Foundation researchers will conduct studies on brain injury, knee osteoarthritis, and pediatric cerebral palsy using mixed-reality technology, robotic exoskeletons, and cycling feedback systems. The grants aim to improve safety and mobility for elderly individuals with cognitive impairments and those with neurological disorders.
A new study from Tel Aviv University found a promising treatment for long-term COVID-19 symptoms using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Patients treated with HBOT showed significant improvement in cognitive function, attention, and executive functions.
Researchers have discovered neural plastic changes that can improve functional recovery after a cervical spinal cord injury. Using an optogenetic neuromodulation strategy, they found that the intact corticospinal system in the opposite side of the brain and spinal cord can be modulated to take over control of the damaged forelimb, resu...
Biomedical engineers have created a novel 3D synthetic structure that mimics the extracellular matrix, guiding neural progenitor cells and promoting their differentiation. The results show promise for developing brain-healing treatments, including biogels that can repair and regrow brain tissue after a stroke or other trauma.
A major public health concern, consumer product-related traumatic brain injuries have increased significantly in school-aged children, peaking in 2012 and declining in boys but increasing substantially among girls. The study highlights the need for awareness and training on screening and treatment of TBI in children.
A new study found that subtle brainwaves detectable with EEG are the strongest predictor of eventual recovery for brain-injured patients who appear unresponsive. Covert consciousness, detectable through customized artificial intelligence software, is linked to higher and faster rates of recovery.
A new study found that people with severe speaking difficulties pay more attention to hand gestures when their verbal communication is impeded. This highlights the importance of incorporating gestures into therapy for individuals with aphasia.
Astrocytes in the thalamus play a key role in susceptibility to seizures after brain injuries. Targeting a specific protein, GAT3, in these cells may prevent long-term damage.
A new study by University of Missouri found that Black nursing home residents and those under 65 are significantly more likely to experience repeat hospital transfers. This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors including 'full-code' status regarding end-of-life care, comorbidities, and inadequate staffing. The study suggests ...
Researchers evaluated 435 employed adults with mild traumatic brain injury over 12 months, finding a significant association between return to work and improved economic outcomes. The study suggests that employer assistance plays a crucial role in supporting workers' transitions back to the workforce.
Researchers developed a new method using magneto-active polymers to study cellular behavior and replicate complex biological processes. The system allows for real-time control of mechanical forces on cells, enabling the analysis of mechanisms behind traumatic injuries and tissue damage.