|
Home / Health
Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Research and Methods Increase
By:Katie Kelley
Each year in America, there are millions of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that severely debilitate citizens from a number of common, everyday activities that often depend on the severity of their injury.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), common TBI disabilities include difficulties with cognition affecting memory and reasoning; communication through expression and understanding; sensory processing, affecting the five senses in various combinations and ways; behavior and mental health problems ranging from personality changes to increased aggression to social inappropriateness; and TBI can also cause an individual to become unresponsive and even fall into a coma.
The seriousness for which TBI can range and the length of time these disabilities affect a victim is based on the severity of the injury, and while there are several common treatments, a large number of individuals suffering from TBI are never fully rehabilitated.
Luckily, with advances in technology a breadth of emerging alternative treatments and research methods are being developed to help lessen and even cure the ill effects of a severe brain injury.
A Tidal Wave of Brain Injury Treatment Research
The U.S. National Institute of Health currently monitors and recruits over 150 clinical trials for TBI victims ranging from preventing epilepsy in a victim after TBI to continued research for Vietnam head injuries to TBI-related hormone deficiency treatments of adults.
Testing For TBI Injuries Gets a One-Up
One of the most recent TBI research studies was completed by senior author and neurology professor at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Ramon Diaz-Arrastia, M.D., Ph.D. Diaz-Arrastia along with other researchers developed a method for a new technique of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyzation. The study will help individuals who suffer from an overlooked condition called diffuse axonal injury (DAI).
According to researchers, DAI is a type of brain injury that affects axons, which are a type of nerve cell. The injury occurs when something happens to disrupt movement of the head, such as in an automobile accident. Even modern day computerized tomography scans or MRIs are not adequately capable of detecting the damage done by a DAI.
Scientists use a technique in this method deriving from a mathematical analysis known as diffusion tensor tractography where water, which has been released by damaged axons, is monitored to determine healthy axons, which absorb water, compared to dead axons, which release water when they die.
Similarly, neurologists discovered a new method of brain scanning that helps to identify and measure brain activity in real time to more accurately assess injury while increasing ability to more adequately diagnose and treat a TBI patient.
The scan is known as magnetoencephalography (MEG) and allows victims who suffer from TBI-induced epilepsy to find reprieve through more accurate diagnosis and monitoring.
According to Anto Bagic, M.D., a neurologist at the Center for Advanced Brain Magnetic Source Imaging at UPMC in Pittsburgh, who was recently quoted in news reports, the imaging scan allows for thousands of magnetic field samples of brain activity to be recorded every second, which is unlike any other scan.
Additionally, when using a combination of the MEG scan with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it will enable neurosurgeons to have a detailed map of the brain allowing them to remove damaged tissues and keep healthy tissue intact.
Cognitive Developmental Methods
One of the most researched and augmented methods of treatment for TBI deals with cognitive repair and it's controversy is often discussed among the science and medical community. Many argue that permanent injuries cannot be changed, however, as researchers are learning, it is becoming more noted that the winning side of this argument sees that once thought as a permanent injury can actually be reversed.
A recent study completed by the Laboratoire de Neurobiologie des Processus Adaptatifs found exactly this when TBI victims that suffered from brain damage are likely to have the ability to restore cerebral function.
Scientists found that by development of a small amount of new and specifically targeted innervations proves successful in restoring cerebral functions. Reinnervation is when nerve function restoration occurs, often through nerve grafting.
The scientists found that with behavioral tests, there was a high success rate of new cell axons "interacting with the network of undamaged neuronal cells to restore their associated functions, such as synchronized movement and spatial orientation," according to a Science Daily news report. Previously, researchers were using a large amount of non-specific connections when attempting reinnervation.
Uncovering Controversial Drug Treatments
There are a multitude of medications available on the market that allegedly treat of a TBI injury, however, as dangerous medications slip onto shelves and under the radar of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) it is important to research and understand any and all medications prescribed after a TBI accident.
An example of semi-controversial drug treatments comes from a recent research team at the Hangzhou Normal University. Researchers there concluded a study that uncovered a common component found in progesterone, which is a contraceptive pill, "may actually improve the neurological outcome for patients with severe head injuries."
The team, supervised by Weiqi Yan, a professor, that the female hormone may be a safe and effective treatment, although the test could not expand on the neuroprotective effects. However, the results did conclude that progesterone was adequate in treating individuals with a TBI for up to six months.
Likewise, a rather interestingly and debatable study by a group of physicians reported on the link of alcohol blood content levels among TBI patients who survived. The physicians recently discovered that patients who had a low- to moderate-level of alcohol in their bloodstreams after arriving at the hospital because of a TBI-related accident were less likely to die or become worse because of the alcohol, which physicians believe to act as a neuroprotective.
Neuroprotection occurs after a brain-related injury and happens when a mechanism in the nervous system protects cells and neurons within the brain from degeneration. However, individuals with a significantly high amount of blood alcohol in their system were more likely at risk for death. But the study suggested an interesting method that may be explored where administering small doses of alcohol into patients of TBI upon arrival may improve their outcome.
Although the authors of this study were extremely hesitant in clarifying their results, and research will likely continue for extremely injured TBI victims.
Protecting and Healing TBI Victims
Because TBI is so prevalent in the United States it is important to understand that there is are vast plentitude of causes of brain injury as well as types of brain injuries, symptoms and treatments. The best way to protect an individual suffering from TBI is to consult a medical professional immediately.
Once a victim has been diagnosed, it will be apparent that medical bills can quickly calculate to large sums of money, which is why speaking with an experienced traumatic brain injury law firm is also just as important to protect and heal a brain injury victim.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: brain injury, traumatic brain injury, brain damage, tbi in children, TBI statistics, TBI, lawyer, la
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
Visit the brain injury causes and treatment homepage at http://brain-injury.legalview.com/. Or peruse other legal issues on the LegalView homepage, http://www.LegalView.com, such as the recent discovery of levaquin side effects, which include tendon injury, or the latest on the Chantix recall.
|
|
| Top Health Articles |
- 1). Collarbone Injury By : Frank Vanderlugt
The clavicle or “collar bone” connects the scapula bone in the shoulder to the sternum in your chest. It functions to hold the shoulder upward and backward.
Clavicle fractures are common bone injuries. A break in the clavicle bone is usually a closed fracture that normally takes approximately 6 weeks to heal in an adult, 4 weeks in a child. The injury rarely requires surgery.
|
- 2). The Hottest Hair Trends And The Sexiest Hairstyles For 2007 By :
Copyright 2006 David Maillie
Hair has become unequivocally important as it can literally make one look like a movie star or a has been from Hee Haw, which died out many years ago. It is big enough that it is a multi billion dollar industry and the average bill in a salon is approaching $100. In the big cities with a hot hairstylist like Jonathon in Beverly Hills prices can easily top $500 for a cut and style.
|
- 3). Muscle Imbalance And Chronic Injuries By : Jeff P. Anliker, LMT
Injuries can occur anywhere and at anytime, but the most prevalent place of occurrence is in the workplace. The reason for such a high rate of injury is that people spend 8-18 hours a day, 5-7 days a week performing unidirectional (one-way) movement patterns, causing an imbalance in the musculoskeletal system that results in the overuse and under use of certain muscle groups.
|
- 4). Why Whey Protein? By : Sandy Knoll
With all of the recent negative press given to body supplements, it makes good sense to be cautions about using different nutritional supplements as a part of your body building efforts.
Whey protein has been lauded as a safe, natural and simple supplement. It's use has become popular for those genuinely interested in good health through physical fitness and body building.
|
- 5). Autism and its Generated Behavioral and Mental Impairments By : Groshan Fabiola
Autism is a complex neurological disorder that dramatically affects people’s behaviors and social interactions. The disorder can be revealed in early childhood, by the age of 3. Although the first signs of autism can sometimes be identified in infants, the disorder is usually discovered at a later stage of life. Autistic children present a wide range of behavioral abnormalities, and they can be easily identified among normal children.
|
- 6). Why Asbestos Cancer Affects More Men? By : Alfred J.James
Who needs to be examined?
Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the job or at home via a family contact should inform their physician of their exposure history and any symptoms. Asbestos fibers can be measured in urine, feces, mucus, or material rinsed out of the lungs.
A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended.
|
- 7). The Benefits of Martial Arts Training By : Clint Leung
As any martial arts practitioner will tell you, there are multiple benefits in martial arts training. Of course, the most obvious benefit is a knowledge of self defense which is one of the major reasons why the martial arts were developed in the first place. Knowing how to defend oneself and loved ones in a potentially dangerous situation is an asset in today’s world just as it was hundreds of years ago.
|
- 8). Study Says Obesity May Be Caused By Virus By : Rick Hendershot
In new study published this month, a research team claims to have found evidence that a contagious virus can contribute to obesity.
The team found that a specific human adenovirus Ad-37 seems to trigger obesity in chickens. Previous studies had linked other adenoviruses -- Ad-36 and Ad-5 -- to obesity in animals.
These and other adenoviruses cause colds and other common illnesses in people.
|
- 9). How Long Will It Take To Gain Muscles| Build Muscle Mass By : Chris Chew
There are many factors to consider when you want to know how long will it take for you to gain and build muscle mass. Questions like are you eating enough and the right nutrients to accelerate muscle growth, are you exercising correctly and regularly and do you have the genes for quick muscle growth need to be addressed.
In this article, we shall discuss whether you have the genetic make up to gain and build muscles quickly.
|
- 10). Breathe Easy: Some Asthma Relief Tips By : Nick Carter
Asthma is the seventh-ranked chronic health condition in the United States and the leading chronic illness of children. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that makes airways (bronchial tubes) particularly sensitive to irritants.
During an asthma attack, tightening of the smooth muscles around the bronchial tubes causes them to become inflamed, narrow inside, and produce excess mucus.
|
| New Health Articles |
- 1). How To Break An Addiction By : John Morris
You need to evaluate the problem and find what triggers your addicts and what specific need it is using. Once you have determined that, you can begin breaking yourself of the habit one step at a time...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 5). Make Your Heart More Healthy By : Dan Sherman
Does it seem like there are more health risks these days than there were in the past? Well, the plain and simple truth is, there are. Now, more than ever, people around the globe grapple with various heath afflictions.
|
- 6). The Best Ways To Quit Cigarette Smoking By : Jonty Smith
The author packed in his 40-a-day habit within a few hours. He did it quickly, easily and painlessly. Why then do so many other smokers struggle to quit? In this article, the author explains the best ways to quit cigarette smoking, and why many of the established methods are counter-productive.
|
- 7). Can Chocolate Really Kill Your Dog By : Gregg Hall
We have all heard this all of our lives but how big a threat is it really? Is it life threatening or will it just make him sick? How much chocolate does the animal have to eat for it to cause a negative reaction?
|
- 8). The Attraction Of Magnetic Therapy By : John Morris
Magnetic therapy is an alternative treatment for common ailments. The most commonly treated ailments for that magnetic therapy is used for are arthritis, pain, inflammation, muscle tension, migraines, tumors, asthma, allergies, diabetes and many other joints or healing complaints...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
