Traumatic Brain Injury News and Research

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Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. Other symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking. A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.

Pediatric TBI can cause significant deficits in working memory

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) during childhood can have long-term effects on cognitive and psychosocial functioning, including poor academic achievement. Pediatric TBI can cause significant deficits in working memory, as demonstrated in a study published in Journal of Neurotrauma, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

27 Sep 2013

Changes due to single mild explosion in brain has similarity with Alzheimer's

A new study published in the September issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease reports that even a single mild explosion can cause changes in the brain that have similarities to those found in diseases like Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

25 Sep 2013

Environmental enrichment protects against atrophy in chronic stages of TBI

For the first time, scientists at Toronto Rehab have found that in people with chronic moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), atrophy (shrinkage) in the brain may be countered by participating in environmental enrichment - increased physical, social and cognitive stimulation.

24 Sep 2013

Study shows beneficial effects of mild hypothermia on cellular responses to TBI

Moderate reductions in body temperature can improve outcomes after a person suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI). New research that identifies positive effects of mild hypothermia on brain tissue is presented in an article published in Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

24 Sep 2013

WUSTL engineers apply new imaging technique to understand brain’s biomechanics

The human body has a lot of jobs to do, and its mechanical features, such as strength and flexibility, are important to how well it does them. Washington University in St. Louis engineers are now applying a new imaging technique to a model of brain tissue to see how stiff or soft it might be.

20 Sep 2013

University of Chicago researchers awarded NIH grant to develop novel multiple sclerosis treatment

Researchers from the University of Chicago have been awarded a five-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop stimulated dendritic cell-derived exosomes that show remarkable promise as a treatment for multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases involving loss of myelin, the insulation around nerve fibers.

18 Sep 2013

Repeated exposure to low level blasts causes harmful effects in brain

Repeated exposure to low level blasts (LLB) can cause symptoms similar to sports concussion. Soldiers or law enforcement officers called "breachers" receive training in using low level blasts for forced entry.

17 Sep 2013

IFHF dedicates new $11 million centre to provide crucial treatment of TBI and PTS to returning veterans

Since September 11, 2001, more than 2.5 million U.S. troops have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and hundreds of thousands of service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, due to IEDs, combat related incidents and training activities.

12 Sep 2013

Research: Men who exercise vigorously may reduce risk of epilepsy later in life

New research suggests that men who exercise vigorously as young adults may reduce their risk of developing epilepsy later in life. The study is published in the September 4, 2013, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Epilepsy is a brain disease that causes repeated seizures over time.

5 Sep 2013

Researchers develop novel transparent skull implant that provides a window to the brain

A team of University of California, Riverside researchers have developed a novel transparent skull implant that literally provides a "window to the brain", which they hope will eventually open new treatment options for patients with life-threatening neurological disorders, such as brain cancer and traumatic brain injury.

4 Sep 2013

Kessler Foundation scientist evaluates virtual reality office task in participants with MS and TBI

Denise Krch, Ph.D., research scientist for Traumatic Brain Injury Research at Kessler Foundation, presented "Pilot results from a virtual reality executive function task," at the International Conference on Virtual Rehabilitation. In the pilot study, Dr. Krch evaluated the Assessim Office, a virtual reality office task, in participants with multiple sclerosis and TBI.

28 Aug 2013

Comparison of guidelines highlights when player can resume athletic activity after concussion

Concussions are a common sports injury that can have long-term neurological consequences if not properly diagnosed and treated. Several new or updated guidelines for managing sports concussions were released earlier this year, and their key areas of consensus, including recommendations for return to play, are presented in an article in Journal of Neurotrauma, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

27 Aug 2013

VA health system scrutiny draws headlines

Howard and Jean Somers have been meeting with VA officials and congressional staffers to tell their son's story. "If your system is so difficult to get into," Howard Somers asked, "how the hell are you going to prevent suicides?" ... (Daniel's) service in Iraq, including multiple combat missions as a turret gunner, left him with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

27 Aug 2013

RTI International takes initiatives to understand long-term effects of TBI in military members, veterans

As part of a federal initiative to better understand traumatic brain injuries suffered by the nation's military service members and veterans, researchers at RTI International will join a consortium led by Virginia Commonwealth University to better understand the long-term effects of chronic mild brain injuries, or concussions.

21 Aug 2013

Montana researcher receives $1M army grant to develop drug that limits damage caused by TBI

The U.S. Army has awarded University of Montana researcher Dave Poulsen a $1 million grant to further develop a drug that limits damage caused by traumatic brain injuries.

21 Aug 2013

Scientist study irregular brain activity during concussion recovery with fMRI

For the first time, researchers have documented irregular brain activity within the first 24 hours of a concussive injury, as well as an increased level of brain activity weeks later-suggesting that the brain may compensate for the injury during the recovery time.

20 Aug 2013

Nine risk factors for YOD in late adolescence

A study of Swedish men suggests nine risk factors, most of which can be traced to adolescence, account for most cases of young-onset dementia (YOD) diagnosed before the age of 65 years, according to a report published by JAMA Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

13 Aug 2013

Observation time in ER is associated with reduced CT rates for children at risk of TBI

The longer a child with minor blunt head trauma is observed in the emergency department, the less likely the child is to require computed tomography (CT) scan, according to the results of a study published online Friday in Annals of Emergency Medicine ("Impact of the Duration of Emergency Department Observation on Computed Tomography Use in Children with Minor Blunt Head Trauma").

7 Aug 2013

Alcohol Research Program at Loyola University receives four NIH grants totaling $3M dollars

The Alcohol Research Program at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine recently received four research grants, totaling more than $3 million, from the National Institutes of Health.

26 Jul 2013

Primer provides physicians with current approaches to diagnose and manage concussions in patients

Concussions, the most common traumatic brain injury, can have serious long-term health effects; therefore, diagnosis and management of these injuries are important. A primer published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) provides physicians with current approaches to diagnosing and managing concussions in patients.

23 Jul 2013