BRAIN INJURY - NEWS - UPDATES
THE FUTURE OF RECOVERY
Many parents in the dark about concussions, research shows
Science Daily | Jul 17, 2017
Despite the large volume of information about sports related concussions on the Internet, many parents and guardians of young athletes have a limited understanding of concussions, according to a study co-authored by a faculty member of UTA's College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Memory-enhancing drug reverses effects of traumatic brain injury in mice
Science Magazine | Jul 12, 2017
The study “offers a glimmer of hope for our traumatic brain injury patients,” says Cesario Borlongan, a neuroscientist who studies brain aging and repair at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Borlongan, who reviewed the new paper, notes that its findings are especially important in the clinic, where most rehabilitation focuses on improving motor—not cognitive—function.
Smartphone apps can be memory aids for people with brain injuries
Medical Xpress | Jul 12, 2017
Smartphone apps allow us to outsource remembering appointments or upcoming tasks. It's a common worry that using technology in this way makes our brain's memory capacity worse, but the reality is not that simple. In fact, these platforms can be useful, not only for people with memory impairments, but also the general population.
Detecting long-term concussion in athletes
Detecting long-term concussion in athletes McGill University | Jul 12, 2017
Lawyers representing both sides in concussion lawsuits against sports leagues may eventually have a new tool at their disposal: a diagnostic signature that uses artificial intelligence to detect brain trauma years after it has occurred.
PTSD may be physical and not only psychological
Medical Xpress | Jul 12, 2017
The part of the brain that helps control emotion may be larger in people who develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after brain injury compared to those with a brain injury without PTSD, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's Sports Concussion Conference in Jacksonville, Fla., July 14 to 16, 2017.
PTSD treated successfully in 10 sessions or less
Huffington Post | Jul 12, 2017
Kaiser’s peer-reviewed publication, The Permanente Journal, recently published practice guidelines for using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with patients diagnosed with PTSD.
Childhood brain injury tied to adult anxiety, depression
The Washington Post | Jul 10, 2017
Children who sustained traumatic brain injuries may experience such psychological effects as anxiety, phobias and depression more than a decade later, researchers say. The new study suggests that brain injury is in some way related to longer-term anxiety symptoms, while previously it was thought that brain injury only leads to short-term effects.
Why does it seem like nobody cares about female concussions?
ESPN | Jul 10, 2017
Women suffer more concussions than men in the sports that both play, tend to suffer different symptoms, take longer to recover and hold back information about their injuries for different reasons than males. Anyone involved in sports should have a grasp of these key facts. Yet the guidelines for understanding sports concussions and returning injured athletes to play ignore key differences in how women and men experience brain injuries.
Pro players speak out about the ‘absurdity’ of the concussion protocol in women’s soccer
Excelle Sports | Jul 10, 2017
The National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) concussion protocol, unlike that adopted by the NFL, relies on a different premise: Players must report if and when they have a possible concussion. The problem with this premise: I can speak from experience that almost no player will report a possible concussion because they want to keep playing. In addition, soccer coaches and trainers often advise players not to report concussion symptoms so they can continue to be used in match play.
High School football Star Kevin Brady tackles brain injury
TAPinto | Jul 10, 2017
Kevin Brady is tough, really tough. On August 19, 2016, Kevin’s life changed. He received a concussion that would end his football career forever and challenge his academic path. It’s been nearly a year and Kevin has made an excellent recovery. This is his story and his message.
Concussion Can Spur Short-Term Change in Women's Periods
UPI | Jul 5, 2017
After a concussion, a young woman might notice that her next few menstrual periods are a bit off-schedule, a new study finds. "The findings suggest that adolescent and young women have significantly increased odds of multiple, abnormal menstrual patterns following concussion, compared to those with an orthopedic injury," said lead researcher Anthony Kontos. He's director of research at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
KARE 11 Investigates: Study of Veterans with TBI
KARE 11 | Jul 5, 2017
A first of its kind study published in JAMA Neurology is shining light on the complexity of war time brain injuries. The study followed 50 soldiers starting just after they suffered a concussive blast injury and tracked their conditions through brain imaging and other techniques over several years. The findings bring into question medical beliefs that individuals with TBI will stabilize within a year after their injury.
With $2.6M Grant, NFL Taps UNC to Conduct Concussion Research
WRAL | Jul 4, 2017
As the concern rises about concussions and head injuries among young athletes, the National Football League is calling on one University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill department to explore rehabilitation strategies.
Studies Shed Light on Teen Mental Health After Concussions
CBS News | Jun 30, 2017
Two new studies offer good news for any high school athlete who's suffered a concussion: For most athletes, mental or physical effects may resolve themselves over the long term.
Triathlete Megan Kruth Overcomes Brain Injury to Race Again
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Jun 27, 2017
McCandless teacher and triathlete battles her way back after serious bike accident to raise money for others with traumatic brain injury.
To Root and Rise: Accepting Brain Injury
Catching Health | Jun 26, 2017
It took Carole Starr many years to accept her brain injury and let go of her old life. Today, Carole is the founder and facilitator of Brain Injury Voices, a survivor education, advocacy and peer mentoring volunteer group, and author of the book To Root & To Rise: Accepting Brain Injury. Listen to Carole’s inspiring story.
Dad’s Brain Injury Leads to Daughter’s Brain-Rehab Startup
Isreal21c | Jun 25, 2017
After her father suffered a brain injury, Israeli neuroscientist Son Preminger noted deficiencies in the rehabilitation process and felt a calling to correct them. Preminger invited a group of fellow neuroscientists, clinicians and engineers to join her in founding Intendu, a startup that has developed cloud-based software comprised of motion-based adaptive video games for brain training and rehabilitation.
Understanding Aphasia After Brain Injury
Huffington Post | Jun 23, 2017
Difficulties for people with aphasia can range from occasional trouble finding words to losing the ability to speak, read, or write; their intelligence, however, is unaffected. Since no two brain injuries are ever the same, the way aphasia affects one person can vary greatly from the next person.
Warren Sapp to donate his brain to concussion research
Tampa Bay Times | Jun 22, 2017
Since being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot four years ago, Warren Sapp has traveled each August to Canton, Ohio, to join the game's greats returning for induction ceremonies. But with each passing year, it seemed too many of his fellow NFL players were in failing health and slipping further into a fog as a result of head injuries sustained during their careers."I said, 'I can't do this. I can't stay on the sideline and watch Tony Dorsett and Willie Brown and all the great ones deteriorate before my eyes,' " Sapp told the Tampa Bay Times.
The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force's Briefing on Female Concussion and TBI
Pink Concussions | Jun 22, 2017
Created by Katherine Snedaker, Executive Director of PINK Concussions, to capture "the spirit" of the briefing, share lessons learned, provide scientific references, and inspire further conversations. This is not an official report but rather a summary of Katherine's experience leading up to the event, her tweets from the event, photos taken by PINK concussion interns and references submitted by the speakers to PINK Concussions.
Severe Headaches Plague Vets with Traumatic Brain Injuries
MedicalXpress | Jun 21, 2017
U.S. veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injuries may struggle with severe headaches years later, a new study finds. "These new findings fill an important gap in our understanding of TBI—which many deployed troops experience—and its impact on headache severity over the long term that can be a key driver of disability for them," Dr. Peter Goadsby, chairman of the American Headache Society's scientific program committee.
Childhood Brain Injury Tied to Adult Anxiety, Depression
Reuters | Jun 19, 2017
Children who sustained traumatic brain injuries may experience psychological effects like anxiety, phobias and depression more than a decade later, researcher at Monash University School of Psychological Sciences in Melbourne, Australia. “The study suggests that brain injury is in some way related to longer-term anxiety symptoms, while previously it was thought that brain injury only leads to short-term effects,” said lead author Michelle Albicini.
Disrupted Brain Pathway, Altered Stress Hormones Key to TBI Impact Differences in Men, Women
Huffington Post | Jun 19, 2017
The brains of men and women are wired differently, and when it comes to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), women are more likely to develop subsequent neuropsychiatric disorders, like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Until now, it’s been unclear why that is, but a new study by researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) provides that missing link – a potentially disrupted pathway in the brain.
Disrupted Brain Pathway, Altered Stress Hormones Key to TBI Impact Differences in Men, Women
Huffington Post | Jun 13, 2017
The brains of men and women are wired differently, and when it comes to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), women are more likely to develop subsequent neuropsychiatric disorders, like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Until now, it’s been unclear why that is, but a new study by researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) provides that missing link – a potentially disrupted pathway in the brain.
Childhood Brain Injury Tied to Adult Anxiety, Depression
Reuters | Jun 12, 2017
Children who sustained traumatic brain injuries may experience psychological effects like anxiety, phobias and depression more than a decade later, researcher at Monash University School of Psychological Sciences in Melbourne, Australia. “The study suggests that brain injury is in some way related to longer-term anxiety symptoms, while previously it was thought that brain injury only leads to short-term effects,” said lead author Michelle Albicini.
First of Its Kind Imaging Library Launched for TBI
PR Newswire | May 30, 2017
Cohen Veterans Bioscience and the American College of Radiology (ACR) announced the creation of the first Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Imaging Reference Library. The library will be essential to the development of effective clinical imaging tools for diagnosing and managing patients with mild TBI.
The Washington Post | May 18, 2017
CTE, a brain degeneration disease, has been found in the brains of deceased NFL Hall of Famers. Here's what you need to know about it.
Cohen Veterans Bioscience and the VA Announce Landmark Brain Research Partnership
Cohen Veterans Bioscience | May 18, 2017
Cohen Veterans Bioscience and the VA are spearheading the Research Alliance for PTSD/TBI Innovation and Discovery Diagnostics (RAPID-Dx). This effort will capitalize on recent advances in brain imaging, genetics and other areas that are bringing the previously unseen impact of #PTSD and #TBI into focus.
The Real Trouble With Brady's Undisclosed Concussion
Sports Illustrated | May 18, 2017
Maybe his wife is mistaken, or maybe the Patriots kept it under wraps, but if the NFL’s biggest star was unwilling to self-report symptoms it’s a much bigger issue for the league. Plus, the good and the bad of the Eagles signing Blount, and a sneaky good roster in L.A.
How Technological Advances Could Create Better Tests for Brain Injury, Change Sports Culture
SportTechie | May 18, 2017
How companies are working toward a more objective way to diagnose brain injuries and concussion and maybe even CTE for the living.
Miami Dolphins Nick Buoniconti shines light on CTE
Miami Herald | May 18, 2017
Nick Buoniconti was a linebacker in the NFL for 14 years. He estimates that during that time he absorbed a whopping 520,000 hits. Buoniconti recently revealed that he is likely suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, more commonly known as CTE — the scourge that has plagued veteran football players who made a living as human battering rams, and who received the blows as we watched and cheered.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article151193552.html#storylink=cpy
Wounded Troops Discharged for Misconduct Often Had PTSD or TBI
The New York Times | May 17, 2017
From 2011 to 2015 nearly 92,000 troops were discharged for misconduct — the military equivalent of being fired. Of those discharged, 57,000 had a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD or a related condition. In recent years the military adopted regulations to require mental health screening to detect PTSD and TBI before a soldier was punished. Tuesday’s report found that screenings were often not conducted. In the Army and the Marine Corps, about 40 percent of cases reviewed by investigators did not have the required screening.
Ex-NFL Players Matt Hasselbeck, Leonard Marshall Pledge Brains To Support CTE Research
SportTechie | May 17, 2017
Former NFL players Matt Hasselbeck and Leonard Marshall announced they will both be donating their brains to help researchers to learn more about the ways football affects the brain. The former players have pledged their brains to the Concussion Legacy Foundation and specifically, the foundation will be using the brains to research concussions and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease that affects the brains of those who have suffered repeated blows to the head.
Commentary: Changing cycling's concussion culture
Velonews | May 17, 2017
Toms Skujins’s crash during Monday’s stage of the Amgen Tour of California underscores the challenge cycling still faces with head injuries. Riders are often free to continue participating in the race even if they are suffering from a concussion
Moving More After a Concussion
The New York Times | May 17, 2017
Restricting all forms of activity after a concussion is known as “cocooning.” But now new guidelines, written by an international panel of concussion experts and published this month in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, question that practice. Instead of cocooning, the new guidelines suggest that most young athletes should be encouraged to start being physically active with a day or two after the injury.
San Diego Doctors Using Special Treatment to Combat CTE
CBS New San Diego | May 17, 2017
How Kaizen Brain Center in California is using magnetic stimulation to fight brain disease in former athletes and veterans.
Outcomes getting worse in veterans years after mild concussion
UPI | May 16, 2017
A new study suggests U.S. military members who have mild concussion after blast injuries are experiencing worse outcomes five years later, and that treatment has been largely ineffective. "Most physicians believe that patients will stabilize 6-12 months post-injury, but this study challenges that, showing progression of post-concussive symptoms well after this time frame," said Christine L. Mac Donald, associate professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle
Mother Rehabbed Son 22 Years After Brain Injury
The Daily Commercial (CT) | May 16, 2017
It’s not much of a stretch to say that Nancy Foryan gave birth to son Ed Simone twice — the first time in the conventional manner, the second as she rehabilitated him following a traumatic brain injury. The process is now at 22 years and counting. When asked if there’s any achievement she is particularly proud of, Foryan says “my son.” She’s proud of him because he never gave up. He’s proud of her for the same reason. She’s his hero.
"˜I Feel Lost. I Feel Like a Child': The Complicated Decline of Nick Buoniconti
Sports Illustrated | May 10, 2017
From tough-guy captain of the Dolphins’ perfect team to driven force behind the nation’s premier spinal-cord research program, Nick Buoniconti was always in charge, always on top. Now, as his body and mind succumb to the ravages of football, he and his loved ones are left angry, confused and grasping to understand.
Sidney Crosby takes the fall for NHL's failed procedures
USA Today | May 10, 2017
The Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby again finds himself answering questions after Monday's playoff game against the Washington Capitals about the league’s concussion protocol and whether it failed him, a topic he’s tired of and, quite frankly, doesn’t think is anyone’s business. But the curiosity and concern are warranted, given both Crosby’s history and stature and the NHL’s record of denial when it comes to head trauma.
Spit Test May Reveal The Severity Of A Child's Concussion
NPR | May 4, 2017
By measuring fragments of genetic material in saliva, scientists were able to accurately predict whether a young person's concussion symptoms would last days or weeks.
DoD awards Abbott $11 million to create mobile test for TBI
Healthcare IT News | May 4, 2017
The U.S. Department of Defense has picked Abbott Laboratories to develop a traumatic brain injury test in a one-bid contract. Abbott will collaborate with the U.S Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity in Frederick, Maryland, according to the DoD.
World-Renowned Brain Injury Expert to Lead CNRM
NewsWise | May 4, 2017
Dr. David Brody, who is considered one of the world’s foremost researchers on traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases, has been appointed to the faculty of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), a Department of Defense agency, and will direct the university’s Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM).
Gauging 5-year outcomes after concussive blast traumatic brain injury
Science Daily | May 2, 2017
Most wartime traumatic brain injuries are mild but the long-term clinical effects of these injuries have not been well described. A new article published by JAMA Neurology identifies potential predictors of poor outcomes in service members diagnosed with concussive blast TBI.
Women 50% higher risk for sports-related concussion
Medscape | May 2, 2017
Investigators at Columbia University in New York found that among college athletes of both sexes who competed in sports such as soccer, football, and basketball, women were 50% more likely to sustain sports-related concussions.
Boston VA incorrectly processed 1 in 6 traumatic brain injury cases
Boston Herald | May 2, 2017
An inspection of the Boston VA Regional Office found an “unacceptable” error rate in assessing the degree of disability in traumatic brain injury claims despite a warning four years earlier to add more oversight and safeguards.
Mild TBI and Chronic Cognitive Impairment
The National Law Review | May 2, 2017
Researchers concluded that, in contrast to the prevailing view that most symptoms of concussion are resolved within three months post-injury, approximately 50 percent of individuals with a single mTBI demonstrate long-term cognitive impairment.
Approximately 80K Students to have Concussion Insurance
WSAW-TV | Apr 27, 2017
Staring in August, about 80,000 Wisconsin student athletes will have concussion insurance. The insurance policy will act as a secondary insurance for students so families don't have to worry about out-of -pocket costs. "Primary will pay their portion and this program is set up to pay for all the gaps. There is zeros deductible with this program, so if there is no primary insurance set in place this will drop down and become primary," said Scott Lunsford, Senior Vice President of K&K Insurance Company.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s biggest victory was raising concussion awareness
USA Today | Apr 27, 2017
For everything he accomplished on the race track, and there was plenty, nothing carried as much weight as what Dale Earnhardt Jr. did off of it. By being open and honest about his concussions and the impact they had not just on his racing career but his entire life, Earnhardt broadened the discussion about head trauma. Be it other athletes, his fans or people who just recognized his famous last name, there are countless others who are better because of his struggles.
More teen knowledge about concussion may not increase reporting
Reuters | Apr 27, 2017
High school athletes with access to a certified athletic trainer are more knowledgeable about concussions and their consequences, but that doesn’t make them more likely to report a concussion, a U.S. study finds.
Resources help Soldiers cope with brain injuries
Fort Hood Sentinel | Apr 27, 2017
Traumatic brain injuries are hard to diagnose and difficult to treat because of the disease’s symptom diversity that can include anything from depression and anxiety to balance and memory issues. “There are so many forms of comorbidity associated with TBI that it makes for a very complex case presentation,” said Dr. Scott Engle, director of Fort Hood’s Intrepid Spirit Center. Recent data confirms that National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) and its programs are making a difference in helping Soldiers manage depression and post-traumatic stress.
Lawsuit: Army Should Factor PTSD in Discharge Decisions
Military.com | Apr 27, 2017
A federal lawsuit alleges the U.S. Army has issued less-than-honorable discharges for potentially thousands of service members without adequately considering the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. The plaintiffs, two Army veterans from Connecticut who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, say in the lawsuit that they were wrongly denied honorable discharges. The lawsuit filed in Connecticut by Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic is seeking class-action status.
Brain's ability to rewire after injury can lead to long-term strains
Medical News | Apr 26, 2017
Like air-traffic controllers scrambling to reconnect flights when a major hub goes down, the brain has a remarkable ability to rewire itself after suffering an injury. However, maintaining these new connections between brain regions can strain the brain's resources, which can lead to serious problems later, including Alzheimer's Disease, according to researchers.
Team Wendy to target blast waves and rotational injuries in next-gen military helmets
New Atlas | Apr 26, 2017
Born out of family tragedy, Team Wendy has transitioned from small ski-gear manufacturer to supplier for the Australian and American military. Their next generation of helmets is being designed to better counteract rotational injuries and blast waves.
The invisible causes of homelessness
The Irish Times | Apr 26, 2017
In the United Kingdom, about 50 per cent of homeless people have suffered a traumatic brain injury and the vast majority of these injuries occurred before they became homeless, according to a recent report in The Psychologist.
Study provides missing link for sex-dependent effects of mild brain blast injury
Medical News | Apr 26, 2017
The brains of men and women are wired differently, and when it comes to traumatic brain injuries, women are more likely to develop subsequent neuropsychiatric disorders, like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Until now, it's been unclear why that is, but a new study by researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences provides that missing link - a potentially disrupted pathway in the brain.
Is there a connection between PTSD and combat blast exposure?
PBS NewsHour | Apr 20, 2017
In part three of PBS NewsHour's series War on the Brain, special correspondent Soledad O’Brien reports on how talks to a neuropathologist who is studying the brains of people who suffered traumatic brain injuries and the possible connection to PTSD.
The NFL concussion protocol cannot save football
SB Nation | Apr 19, 2017
There is no consensus among players that faking the concussion protocol is as prolific as some suggest. The one thing most would seem to agree on is that there is motivation to try. The tests used to screen concussions are inexact and need to be interpreted by a qualified medical professional. There is financial incentive for players to try to skew that interpretation and team goals that can encourage lax oversight. In short: The NFL environment is ripe for players to try to fake.
Researchers move forward with biomarker test to uncover babies' brain injury
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Apr 18, 2017
At Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, researchers have created a blood test to detect bleeding in the brain that may have resulted from abusive head trauma — sometimes called shaken baby syndrome.
How many parents hold their kids back from sports due to concussion risk?
CBS News | Apr 18, 2017
A recent survey shows which sports parents think are safer, but they may be off base, say experts.
Study: Head impact-measuring devices limited in ability to predict, diagnose concussions
USA Today | Apr 12, 2017
In a new study conducted by members of both the NeuroTrauma Research Laboratory at the University of Michigan and the School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences at Virginia Tech, researchers studied available head-impact devices and their clinical utility. Among the conclusions were that “head-impact sensors have limited applications to concussion diagnosis but may provide sideline staff with estimates of athlete exposure and real-time data to monitor players.”
Out Of Bounds: NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. On Concussions
NPR | Apr 12, 2017
NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks to NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., about how concussions have changed the sport, and his driving.
Charlie Garner's post-football life ruled by fear as his brain fails him
Sporting News | Apr 10, 2017
It's lunchtime and Charlie Garner sits in a restaurant near his home, looking and sounding like a man on top of the world. But, all of the sudden, it becomes horribly obvious all is not right with Garner. He is in the middle of a sentence when his sandwich drops from his hands to his plate for no discernible reason. His hands also fall to the table and don't move. The person with Garner looks at him with no idea what has just happened or how to react.
For years, former CU and Broncos lineman Ryan Miller refused to tell his full story. Not anymore.
The Denver Post | Apr 10, 2017
Ryan Miller, who was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, pledged to donate his brain to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) research. He doesn't know if he has CTE. There’s no way he can know yet. But he knows he has to talk about it -- finally.
Caregivers For Veterans Dropped From VA Plan
NPR | Apr 5, 2017
There's a Department of Veterans Affairs program to pay family members to be caregivers for disabled veterans. But several caregivers say they're being dropped from the program with no explanation.
Do U.S. Troops Risk Brain Injury When They Fire Heavy Weapons?
NPR | Apr 5, 2017
Some modern shoulder-fired weapons produce blast waves powerful enough to rattle the brain. A $30 million study aims to help the military figure out how much blast exposure, over time, is too much.
Studying the brain's suspension system in traumatic brain injuries
Science Daily | Apr 5, 2017
Researchers know that the membranes separating the skull from the brain play a key role in absorbing shock and preventing damage caused during a head impact, but the details remain largely mysterious. New research from a team of engineers at Washington University in St. Louis takes a closer look at this "suspension system" and the insight it could provide to limit or perhaps prevent TBI.
A Microwave Helmet May Help Diagnose Brain Injury
Smithsonian | Apr 3, 2017
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden think that a helmet called the Strokefinder could quickly diagnose intracranial bleeding.
How a protein called "˜NFL' could help the NFL with brain injuries
The Washington Post | Mar 27, 2017
Scientists are examining blood samples for proteins that have been shown to correlate with concussion and other injuries. One of the most intriguing of these proteins, which could help create better tests for traumatic brain injury, is called neurofilament light — or, as it’s known for short, NFL.
Surviving a brain injury is just the beginning
Santa Fe New Mexican | Mar 27, 2017
Brain injury survivors, advocates and doctors say countless people still struggle to get treatment and support services after sustaining a brain injury. Across the nation, too few doctors and other medical professionals are trained to diagnose and treat the problem, and private insurers don’t want to cover the high costs of long-term rehabilitation.
Rugby Union tackles concussion problem with blue card
CNN | Mar 27, 2017
Yellow and red cards are used to discipline players in rugby and now one international federation is to trial a blue card to safeguard their health. The system -- to be launched by the Australian Rugby Union and effective Saturday across grassroots competitions -- gives the referee full authority to dismiss from the pitch any player showing signs of concussion during a match.
The Bioengineer trying to predict and prevent concussions
Ozy.com | Mar 24, 2017
Advances in brain imaging and other technology have yielded a slew of metrics for measuring head impacts. The Holy Grail is to translate these data into biomarkers for diagnosing and preventing concussions. Researchers are racing to develop sensor systems that measure the forces the head sustains during an impact — with bioengineer David Camarillo among those in the lead.
Goggles help brain-injury patients see the whole picture
CBC News | Mar 24, 2017
Following a brain injury, people can lose their ability to see the left side of the world, but with a special set of lenses developed by researchers at Dalhousie University, patients can train their brains to see both sides of the world. Researchers are developing "prism-goggles" to help patients experiencing hemi-spatial neglect as a result of an injury to the right side of the brain, most commonly from stroke.
Concussion in Kids: Less-Recognized Visual Changes
Medscape | Mar 22, 2017
In our clinical and research practice here at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), we have found that a number of children have visual issues after a concussion, but they're not typically visual acuity issues. This is something we'd like to get the message out about. The kids we see in our offices who have had a concussion often also have oculomotor issues, whether they are related to problems with smooth pursuits, saccadic function, or the vestibulo-ocular reflex function.
Research suggests diagnostic approach for veterans suffering hearing impairment and TBI from blasts
Purdue University News | Mar 22, 2017
New research findings suggest mild blast trauma suffered by military personnel affects portions of the auditory system that have not been extensively studied after injuries occur, and this impairment might be diagnosed using well-established testing methods. The findings raise the possibility that noninvasive auditory tests could identify undiagnosed mild brain injuries earlier.
Why We Can't Ignore the Silent Epidemic of Traumatic Brain Injury in Prisons
The Good Men Project | Mar 21, 2017
Traumatic brain injury is a huge “hidden disability” within prison populations in the US and the UK. Despite evidence that TBI can lead sufferers to be more violent and reoffend, there is a worrying lack of information about the extent of the problem and there is no standard screening process. At a time when there is huge concern about escalating prison population rates, is it not time this issue was addressed?
5 Reasons Why Suffering a Concussion Was The Most Difficult Experience Of My Life
Warrior | Mar 20, 2017
Surprisingly few people understand the dark realities behind head injuries. In this article, I’m going to shed light on this issue and go over five reasons why suffering a concussion was the hardest experience of my life. In doing so, I’ll hopefully be able to spread awareness towards this issue.
Study of football team produces largest known dataset for concussion diagnostics
Science Daily | Mar 20, 2017
Following a three-year study of the Arizona State University football program, researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) have created the largest dataset to date of extracellular small RNAs, which are potential biomarkers for diagnosing medical conditions, including concussions.
Veteran's ordeal highlights effects of PTSD, brain injury
Craig Daily Press (CO) | Mar 20, 2017
Cory Hixson, an infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Iraq War, and his wife, Shala, are fighting for adequate care from the Veterans Affairs health care system following Hixson's disappearance last week due to medication-related memory loss and disorientation.
UCLA researchers' finding holds promise for treating children after brain injuries
UCLA Newsroom | Mar 16, 2017
A new biological marker may help doctors identify children at risk of poor outcomes after a traumatic brain injury, UCLA scientists report in a preliminary study. The discovery, published in the online issue of the medical journal Neurology, will allow researchers to zero in on ways to prevent progressive cognitive decline seen in roughly half of children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries.
Anxiety, Depression, and Traumatic Brain Injury
The Good Men Project | Mar 16, 2017
Living with a traumatic brain injury can be a very lonely, painful place. It’s a place that is often misunderstood, and a place that no one is talking about. Amy Zellmer shares her experience and guides anyone suffering from TBI to seek help.
Which High School Sport Has the Most Concussions?
WebMD | Mar 15, 2017
For the study, the researchers analyzed data on nearly 41,000 injuries suffered by high school athletes in nine sports between 2005 and 2015. The injuries included nearly 6,400 concussions.
A Struggle Back to Financial Independence After a Brain Injury
The Good Men Project | Mar 15, 2017
While in a coma, Harvey lost his civil rights and all control over his own money, due to a court-ordered conservatorship. A durable power of attorney could have prevented this nightmare situation.
Reader's Digest | Mar 15, 2017
Stephanie Peirolo had an excellent health plan, so when her 16-year-old son sustained a traumatic brain injury, she thought his claims would be covered. She was dead wrong.
What is an Acquired Brain Injury?
SBS (Australia) | Mar 15, 2017
Guests share their experiences of how suffering a brain injury has changed their lives, personalities, work and their relationships to those who love and care for them, what's the science behind ABIs?
Study Finds Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury
UPI | Feb 13, 2017
Researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital found that the impact of a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, in a child can have long-lasting effects years later. The study found that patients with mild to moderate brain injury are twice as likely to have developed attention problems when examined seven years after injury. The research also found that children with severe TBI are five times more likely to develop secondary ADHD than children without TBI.
Study Tracks Veterans with Brain Injury
WTOP (DC) | Feb 13, 2017
A far-reaching federal study hopes to provide new detail for veterans suffering from a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Early research from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows at least 20% of all veterans who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan have suffered a TBI. Many heal within weeks or months, but others suffer long-lasting implications. This study hopes to track 1,100 veterans over a 20-year period to learn more about the issue and how such an injury can best be evaluated or treated. Only 700 have signed up so far.
Concussion Recovery Takes Longer for College Students
HealthDay News | Feb 13, 2017
Researchers reviewed the medical charts of 128 students who suffered a concussion during the 2014-2015 academic year at Northwestern University. Overall, the students took much longer to recover from a concussion than the national average of 7 to 14 days.
Valley News (ND) | Feb 13, 2017
Concussions are something many people think are just a temporary injury, not realizing they can bring on other health issues. A West Fargo girl has been suffering from a concussion induced injury for nearly three years. It's changed how she and her family live. "I feel like I am not a normal kid," 15-year old Ashtyn Gooselaw said.
UC Study: Concussion affects peripheral vision
The Cincinnati Enquirer | Feb 8, 2017
Patients with concussion, followed by visual problems, experienced delayed central and peripheral vision reaction times, a study by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine reported.
If Only The Rest Of America Got Concussion Care Like NFL Players
The Huffington Post | Feb 7, 2017
The league’s neurotrauma program isn’t without its faults, but it’s a lot better than what goes on in the average ER.
Knowing These 9 Concussion Symptoms Could Save Your Brain
Health | Feb 7, 2017
Symptoms of concussion can be obvious and show up immediately, or they can be subtler, not appearing for days—or weeks—later. Here are the concussion symptoms to know, so you can spot them in yourself, or in others.
Soccer Ball Heading May Cause Concussion Symptoms
The New York Times | Feb 3, 2017
Soccer players who frequently head the ball may be increasing their risk for concussion, a new study reports. The study, published Wednesday in Neurology, included 222 amateur soccer players who reported the number of times they headed the ball over a two-week period. The athletes also reported any unintentional head impacts, such as collisions with other players or the goal post.
Concussion foundation received nearly 650 new brain donations in 2016
Houston Chronicle | Feb 3, 2017
The Concussion Legacy Foundation, devoted to studying and preventing head trauma in sports, announced Thursday that 647 new athletes pledged last year to donate their brains after death for research, which brings the total to 1,467.
VA Hospitals Still Struggling With Adding Staff Despite Billions From Choice Act
NPR | Jan 31, 2017
The $16 billion Veterans Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 was designed to get veterans medical care more quickly. But an investigation by NPR found that: the VA has about the same number of new hires as the VA would have been projected to hire without the additional $2.5 billion; the new hires weren't sent to VA hospitals with the longest wait times; and the VA medical centers that got new hires were not more likely to see improved wait times.
BrainScope's Handheld Head Injury Assessment Device Made Available In College, Pro Sports
SportTechie | Jan 31, 2017
BrainScope’s Ahead 300, a handheld point of care device that objectively and rapidly assesses mild head injury, is helping clinicians and others to gather data that will aid in head injury diagnosis. BrainScope announced this month that it is doing a limited launch to a select group that includes college and professional sports institutions.
Fort Riley soldiers to help in study on how running might help in brain injury recovery
Army Times | Jan 31, 2017
More than a hundred Fort Riley soldiers are helping University of Kansas researchers study how intense running affects wounded soldiers with mild traumatic brain injury. Clinical trials will assess whether intensive cardiorespiratory exercise helps wounded warriors recover from mild traumatic brain injury.
Researchers offer new hope in treatment for TBI
Melbourne Herald Sun | Jan 31, 2017
Melbourne researchers are working on an injectable treatment for traumatic brain injury using the protein implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. The University of Melbourne team hopes doctors could inject players after a head clash, or paramedics could administer the peptide to car crash victims, so as to stop the chain reaction of damage after a traumatic brain injury.
State Looks to Survey Veterans with PTSD and TBI
New Hampshire Public Radio | Jan 31, 2017
The New Hampshire Legislative Commission on PTSD and TBI released a report in 2014 that looked at how many veterans in the state had these injuries and whether they felt they were getting the help they needed. It’s been a few years since that first report came out and the commission is now is now re-interviewing veterans by questionnaire to find out: Did we hit the mark? Did we do the right thing? And where do we go from here?
Photo Essay: My Road to Recovery from TBI
PetaPixel | Jan 30, 2017
My name is Trevor Gavin and I’m a photographer based near San Francisco. I’d like to share a very personal story of my darkest time. It’s a part of my healing and a part of moving on. It’s the only way I know how to express my emotions.