Brain Injury Blog

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Researchers Report that Thymosin beta 4 Improves Neurological Function after Stroke

TB4 Found to Stimulate Oligoprogenitor Cells

ROCKVILLE, Md., Mar 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) - REGENERX BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (NYSE Alternext US:RGN) announced that a research team from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI reported that Thymosin beta 4 (TB4), administered to rats one day after embolic stroke, improved neurological functional outcome compared to control animals. Improvement in neurological function was measured at various time intervals over a seven week period and was statistically significant.

An increase in remyelination of axons (regeneration of the nerve sheath) was observed in rats receiving TB4 compared to control animals, likely due to an increased mobilization of oligodendrocyte progenitors (stem cells surrounding axons) that differentiate into mature myelin-producing oligodendrocytes. In cell culture, TB4 treated neuronal progenitor cells isolated from normal and stroke rats demonstrated increased mRNA levels of epidermal growth factor receptor. This receptor has previously been shown to be a regulator of oligoprogenitor cell expansion and tissue regeneration in response to brain injury and further supports the role of TB4 in stem cell-mediated tissue repair.

To read the balance of this press release, click on the link below:

 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/researchers-report-that-thymosin-beta-4-improves-neurological-function-after-stroke-2010-03-05?reflink=MW_news_stmp

After all the concern over possible damage to health from using mobile phones, scientists have found a potential benefit from radiation.

Their work has been carried out on mice, but it suggests mobiles might protect against Alzheimer’s. Florida scientists found that phone radiation actually protected the memories of mice programmed to get Alzheimer’s disease. They are now testing more frequencies to see if they can get better results. The study by the Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre is published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Genetically altered mice

It involved 96 mice, most of which had been genetically altered to develop beta-amyloid plaques in their brains, which are a marker of Alzheimer’s disease, as they aged. The rest of the mice were non-demented. All the mice were exposed to the electro-magnetic field generated by a standard phone for two one-hour periods each day for seven to nine months. Their cages were arranged at the same distance around a centrally located antenna generating the phone signal.

The researchers, led by Professor Gary Arendash, said that if the phone exposure was started when the Alzheimer’s mice were young adults, before signs of memory impairment were apparent, their cognitive ability was protected. In fact, the Alzheimer’s mice performed as well on tests measuring memory and thinking skills as aged mice without dementia. If older Alzheimer’s mice already showing memory problems were exposed to the electro-magnetic waves, their memory impairment disappeared.

Professor Arendash was the author of a previous study that said coffee could protect against Alzheimer’s. He said: “It will take some time to determine the exact mechanisms involved in these beneficial memory effects.”One thing is clear, however - the cognitive benefits of long-term electro-magnetic exposure are real, because we saw them in both protection and treatment-based experiments involving Alzheimer’s mice, as well as in normal mice.”

Memory benefits

The memory benefits of phone exposure took months to show up, suggesting that a similar effect in humans would take years.

To read more about this topic, click on the link provided below: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8443541.stm

Source: BBC News 7 January 2010

The use of morphine may prevent the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military personnel injured in combat, an observational study showed.

Those who received the drug during resuscitation or trauma care were about half as likely to later develop PTSD (OR 0.47, P<0.001), according to Troy Lisa Holbrook, PhD, of the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, and colleagues.

“Our findings suggest that the use of morphine after serious injury may be a first-line defense against the development of PTSD,” they wrote in the Jan. 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

They said that any benefits, if causal, would likely be seen with other opiates as well.Previous studies have found that pharmacotherapy following trauma may be effective for secondary prevention of PTSD, with the primary goal of interfering with memory consolidation and the associated conditioned response to fear, according to the researchers. And a small study found a protective effect from morphine specifically in children with burn injuries.

To evaluate the drug’s effect in adults, Holbrook and her colleagues turned to a U.S. Navy-Marine Corps combat trauma database that included information on medications administered after injury. They analyzed data for 696 military personnel who were hurt during Operation Iraqi Freedom but who did not have serious traumatic brain injury. Nearly all of the injured personnel were male and the mean age was about 24. The most common mechanisms of injury were improvised explosive devices, gunshots, mortar fire, and rocket-propelled grenades.

About one-third (35%) of the injured personnel developed PTSD. Those who did were less likely to have been administered morphine shortly after their injury (60% versus 76%). The use of morphine was associated with a significantly lower risk of PTSD (ORs ranging from 0.48 to 0.66, P<0.05 for all) in models adjusting for several factors, including severity and mechanism of injury, need for amputation, resuscitation, and the presence of mild traumatic brain injury. Morphine dose had no effect on the relationship.

Although causality could not be established, any beneficial effect morphine might have on PTSD risk might involve pain reduction; previous studies have identified associations between lower pain levels after serious injury and a reduced risk of developing the disorder. “The logical conclusion to be made on the basis of these data is that a reduction in perceived pain levels through the use of morphine or other opiates as part of trauma care may lower the rate of PTSD onset after major trauma,” Holbrook and her colleagues wrote.

In an accompanying editorial, Matthew Friedman, MD, PhD, of the National Center for PTSD at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vt., said, “This finding adds to a small but growing body of observational and experimental studies that have reported similar results.” “Since physical injury from a traumatic event (especially injury that is associated with severe pain) is a risk factor for the later development of PTSD, such findings suggest a potential for prophylactic use of rapid pain reduction among injured, traumatized persons in both military and civilian acute care settings,” he said.

He noted, however, that use of opioids would likely not be an acceptable treatment for individuals exposed to trauma who had not suffered major, painful injuries. The findings of the current study, he wrote in his editorial, are consistent with theories about the adrenergic mediation of fear-conditioned traumatic memories.

“These results should motivate researchers to redouble efforts to test adrenergic antagonists such as propranolol and clonidine (an α₂-adrenergic agonist) in the search for a morning-after pill to prevent the later development of PTSD among persons after major trauma.”

Holbrook and her colleagues acknowledged that the study was limited by its observational design, missing or incomplete data on medication for patients who were ultimately excluded from the study, and the inability to thoroughly address the question of a dose-response relationship.

Reviewed by Zalman S. Agus, MD; Emeritus Professor University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner

Source: medpagetoday.com 13 January 2010

Soon, people suffering from ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain damage from traumatic brain injuries will be able to enhance their memories while being analyzed and monitored by computerized assistants with human faces. An article in Wired detailed the possibilities being explored by various companies in the search for more effective and efficient treatment for the many veterans returning to the United States with brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Mercury News reported recently that Intel has invested large amounts of money on research and development of thought-controlled devices, otherwise known as brain-computer interfaces. Research is underway to determine the best way to harness the power of thought. The internal method requires a craniotomy to implant electrodes in or upon the brain, while the external method consists of applying electrodes to the scalp to monitor brainwaves.

The implications of the research could hold many benefits for spinal cord injury sufferers and traumatic brain injury survivors. Electrodes implanted directly into a patient’s brain may control prosthetic limbs of the near future. The devices might even include some kind of sensors to simulate the sensation of touch along the prosthetic skin.

Monitoring devices grow increasingly complex, as companies develop computers that can collect psychological data. Attention Control Systems Inc. is developing a bot that will, “collect psychological data, detect panic attacks and measure psychological symptoms,” according to the Wired article.

For veterans suffering with the symptoms of traumatic brain injury, the military has invested in high-tech schedulers to remind patients to complete various tasks, to help them stay focused throughout the day, and to monitor their movement and give them prompts when necessary.

With current advances in neurology, electronics, brain-computer interfaces, wireless technology, biotechnology, genetics, stem cells, and prosthetics, the future looks bright for spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury survivors.

References:

Drummond, Katie. (April 15, 2009) “Pentagon’s New PTSD Treatments: Wireless Monitors, Software Pals.” Retrieved on January 17, 2010 from the Wired Web site: www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/04/pentagons-new-p/

Source: brainandspinalcord.org

NELSON, B.C. Former “Crazy Canuck” Dave Irwin says he never should have skied in two Olympic Games.

He’d already suffered two concussions during his time as one of this country’s downhill daredevils, when the group of Canadian ski racers, often accused of being wild and reckless, rose to prominence during the 1970s and 1980s.

And Saturday, when Irwin ran in the Olympic torch relay in Nelson, B.C., — on Day 86 of the flame’s cross-Canada journey — he said he wasn’t running as a former athlete. “I’m carrying the Olympic torch now for every Canadian with a brain injury,” he said. “That’s what I’m doing. I’m representing Canada now, not as a Canadian athlete but as a Canadian brain-injured person.”

These days, after a catastrophic 2001 ski crash that put him in a coma for two weeks, the 55-year-old Irwin has trouble remembering details of his day-to-day life.But he does remember his Olympic races at Innsbruck in 1976 and at Lake Placid in 1980.

“I had my first brain injury just before the ’76 Olympics and they let me race and I was something like eighth,” he said. “It was amazing they let me race. They didn’t have a clue about brain injuries back then and barely had a name for it.”He suffered another concussion just before Lake Placid. “It was the same kind of brain injury but a much bigger magnitude because it compounds,” he said.

“It’s horrible what happened. That Olympics, again, I shouldn’t have raced but I was 11th. So here I was and it shouldn’t have happened.” Irwin was part of the Crazy Canucks team that included Steve Podborski, Ken Read and Dave Murray. Irwin says he can’t remember details of any of his injuries or where they were. But he does remember his Olympic races and believes that, had he been healthy, he would have been on the podium.

He still lives in Canmore, Alta., and, since the 2001 crash, has organized the Dave Irwin Foundation for Brain Injury. The foundation raises money for research and to increase awareness about prevention and treatment to help 30,000 to 55,000 people a year who suffer acquired brain injuries in Canada. “I set it up because, No. 1, I found it so difficult to get around and do this and that and go to this appointment and that recovery session,” he said. “Then I saw other people around Alberta going all over the place, trying to get around and I decided it’s just silly, the amount of time and energy people was going through just to recover.”

Irwin said he still skis “quite well” and is a regular on the slopes at Sunshine Village, near Banff, and enjoys watching world cup ski races on TV. He says he’ll likely be in Whistler during the 2010 Games, enjoying the atmosphere and talking about fast skis, fast wax and fast racing suits. And Irwin says he has no regrets, despite the debilitating injuries that have robbed him of critical brain function.

“I was on the national ski team for 11 years, I raced around the world, I helped organize the Crazy Canucks,” he said. “It was stunning — fantastic. We were a good bunch of guys and we competed and we had fun.” Irwin was one of the final torchbearers when the relay reached Nelson, 650 kilometres east of the flame’s final destination — Vancouver — on Saturday night.

Earlier Saturday the relay travelled via Creston and over the 1,774-metre Kootenay Pass summit, the highest point on the trek. The Olympic flame will have passed through more than 1,000 Canadian communities, before arriving at Vancouver’s BC Place to light the Olympic Cauldron and open the 2010 Winter Games on Feb. 12, 2010. Canada’s 2010 Olympic torch relay will be the longest in history contained within the host country.

Source: The Windsor Star – 23 January 2010

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Head injuries reduced without harm to neck, researchers find

Helmets reduce skiers’ and snowboarders’ risk of head injury by 35 percent and don’t increase the risk of neck injury, a new study shows.

Some people believe that helmets may increase the risk of neck injury when skiers and snowboarders fall, particularly children, who have a greater head-to-body ratio.

In this study, Canadian researchers analyzed the findings of 12 studies conducted in Asia, Europe and North America and concluded that helmets were beneficial.

“The use of helmets significantly protects against head injuries among skiers and snowboarders,” wrote Brent Hagel, of Alberta Children’s Hospital, and colleagues. “Risks of head injury can be reduced by 35 percent.”

“Based on this evidence, we encourage helmet use,” they concluded. The study was published Feb. 1 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Data from numerous countries suggest that head injuries account for up to 19 percent and neck injuries up to 4 percent of all ski and snowboard injuries reported by ski patrols and emergency departments. Among skiers and snowboarders, traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury.

Source: HealthDay News  7 February 2010

1.4 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury each year. They can be the result of a fall, an auto accident or perhaps a blast injury.

The road to recovery can be a long, painful one. But a local optometrist has found a way to cure many of the symptoms almost instantly.

Many of these patients have been suffering for years. But Dr. Feinberg found that in many cases their brain isn’t coordinating the images from their two eyes.

“When the eyes aren’t lined up with each other we don’t feel the best, we’re a bit nauseous, car sick,” Dr. Feinberg explained.

But in many cases, all it takes is a little prism to make the eyes work as a team again.

By incorporating a prism into regular eye glasses, the patient immediately has a more normal view of the world.

“They begin to actually feel calmer and relieved and less dizzy less headachy, less neck ache. I track all those symptoms including light sensitivity and within that first visit they feel at least 50% better, if not higher.

That’s exactly what happened with Patricia when she got her lenses.

“I got my first pair and my headaches stated getting better, my balance was better, I felt more upright, I was standing taller and it was just, that was like the first miracle.”

Dr. Feinberg tweaks the prescription until its perfect. The treatment is not only easy, it’s relatively cheap – just the cost of a pair of glasses

According to Dr. Feinberg, “Traditionally the traumatic brain injury patient goes through multiple sessions of therapy that costs tens of thousands of dollars.”

Source: www.wxyz.com – 17 February 2010

Douglas Smith, MD, director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair and professor of Neurosurgery at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine, will present information on the molecular mechanism at play in mild TBI (mTBI), commonly called concussions. Although mTBI affects over 1 million people each year in the United States, it is generally ignored as a major health issue. However, this ‘mild’ form of injury induces persisting neurological and cognitive problems in many of these patients, exacting an enormous emotional and financial toll on society.

Despite the prevalence and impact of mTBI, little is known about how mTBI affect nerve cells and connections in the brain, and therefore clinical outcomes after injury. Smith and colleagues have begun to amass data from human and animal studies on mTBI at 2-4 days after injury using advanced neuroimaging techniques. They have found distinct changes throughout the white matter in the brain. Also, protein markers of brain pathology were identified after mTBI in the blood of mTBI patients.

The team proposes a potential molecular mechanism to explain their findings. Specifically, they found that the stretching and disconnecting of nerve-cell axons after mTBI induces problems to the sodium channels found on the surface of neurons.

“This is not inconsequential” say Smith. “Indeed, the observation that brain pathology can be detected after a concussion calls for much more extensive efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat mild traumatic brain injury.”

Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine - Karen Kreeger 19 February 2010

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Parents and doctors often underestimate the severity of concussions among children, Canadian researchers contend, and they think the best solution is to scrap the word and replace it with “mild traumatic brain injury.”

Carol DeMatteo, an occupational therapist and associate clinical professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., says children diagnosed with concussions are treated differently from kids with other mild brain injuries.

In a study to be published in the February issue of the journal Pediatrics, she found that kids with concussions spend fewer days in hospital, and return to school sooner than kids with head injuries not diagnosed as concussion. “Even children with quite serious injuries can be labelled as having a concussion,” DeMatteo said in a news release.

“Concussion seems to be less alarming than ‘mild brain injury’ so it may be used to convey an injury that should have a good outcome, does not have structural brain damage and symptoms that will pass.”

Despite the perception that concussions are benign, they are actually an injury to the brain that can leave patients with a severe headache, amnesia and sometimes a loss of consciousness. While most patients recover, concussions can have lasting effects. Some patients develop “post-concussion syndrome,” a poorly understood complication that causes symptoms to last for weeks and sometimes months.

There also is evidence that people who’ve had multiple concussions, such as boxers and football players, can experience cumulative neurological damage. Some have even suggested that repeated concussion increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

And yet, many patients, their parents, and even their doctors think of concussions as benign, found DeMatteo, an associate member of the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster University.

Link for CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster University:  http://www.canchild.ca/en/

Link for Brain Injury Association of Canada link: http://biac-aclc.ca/en/

She decided to launch her research after hearing a parent say: “My child doesn’t have a brain injury; he only has a concussion.” The remark so struck her, she used the phrase to title her study.

For the research, DeMatteo and a team analyzed medical records for 341 children admitted over two years to McMaster Children’s Hospital with traumatic brain injuries. Among the group, 300 children had a severity score recorded and, of that group, 32 per cent received a concussion diagnosis.

The researchers found that despite the severity of the injury, children with the concussion label were discharged earlier from hospital. They were also more than twice as likely to return to school sooner following hospital discharge.

“Our study suggests that if a child is given a diagnosis of a concussion, the family is less likely to consider it an actual injury to the brain,” DeMatteo said.

“These children may be sent back to school or allowed to return to activity sooner, and maybe before they should. This puts them at greater risk for a second injury, poor school performance and wondering what is wrong with them.”

DeMatteo points out that the other problem with the term “concussion” is that it can be vague. Concussions are usually diagnosed through symptoms since they are an “invisible injury”; a CT scan of the brain will typically find no abnormalities.

DeMatteo believes that using the term “mild traumatic brain injury” instead of “concussion” would help people understand that a concussion is an injury to the brain, not just the head. She also thinks “concussion” should be scrapped for more specific descriptors of the injury, so that patients can better understand their injuries and doctors could accurately describe them.

Source: CTV.ca