Mild Brain Injuries and Blood-Brain Barrier Damages
Recently, a research study out of Stanford University reported that the blood-brain barrier, a crucial part of the central nervous system, can sustain serious damage in cases of a mild traumatic brain injury. While moderate and severe TBIs have been studied extensively, the same cannot be said of a mild head injury. The blood-brain barrier plays an important job. It protects the brain from bacteria, viruses, and toxins that might otherwise cause harm. The barrier is very selective in what it allows through to the brain. Therefore, if this barrier is damaged, it might place the brain itself at risk.
The researchers studied the blood-brain barrier and mild traumatic brain injuries. If mild TBIs damage the blood-brain barrier, it might change the way people look at these traumatic events. It is important to understand injuries that might damage this barrier and the researchers published their findings in a peer-reviewed journal.
The Design of the Study
It is challenging to diagnose a mild TBI because they often do not produce severe symptoms or show up on routine imaging. The researchers believe that the blood-brain barrier might be damaged in cases of a mild TBI. Therefore, the barrier itself might be able to be used as a diagnostic tool in the future.
The researchers took a population of high-risk individuals who had likely sustained a TBI in the past. Of note, these individuals had never been diagnosed with a moderate or severe TBI. The researchers used a specialized imaging tool that looked specifically at the blood-brain barrier. This tool was an advanced MRI machine that had been engineered to identify for biological markers that indicate damage to the barrier itself.
The researchers found that a large proportion of these individuals showed evidence of damage to the blood-brain barrier. Of note, a typical MRI scan would not have shown any damage to the barrier and did not demonstrate any evidence of a TBI. These results can have significant implications for the future.
The Significance of the Results
These results are important for multiple reasons. First, this scan shows that imaging of the blood-brain barrier can be used to diagnose a mild TBI. This can help doctors catch more patients who might have suffered a head injury. The researchers note that moderate and severe TBIs are relatively easy to catch on other imaging scans, such a traditional MRI or a CT. On the other hand, these traditional scans often miss mild TBIs. To prevent these patients from falling through the cracks, a specialized diagnostic tool looking specifically for a damaged blood-brain barrier should be used.
In addition, damage to this crucial barrier is serious. This barrier’s job is to protect the brain from infectious sources and toxins that would otherwise damage the nervous system. If a mild TBI damages this barrier, measures need to be taken to repair it and protect the brain from harm.
Promoting Healing of the Blood-Brain Barrier
The researchers also say that their work is far from complete. The team is still working on developing a quick, reliable, and cost-effective way to look for damage to the blood-brain barrier. Until a fast and inexpensive method of looking for this damage is developed, this diagnostic tool will remain experimental.
The researchers also want to study whether or not this damage will heal on its own. The researchers want to deliver accurate prognoses regarding how long it will take this barrier to heal. In some cases, the barrier will heal on its own. In other cases, this damage might require medical intervention. These are questions that the researchers will address in future studies. Patients who have suffered a mild TBI need to be aware of the potential damage to the brain’s protective barrier.
San Francisco Brain Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a San Francisco Brain Injury Attorney. The blood-brain barrier plays an important role in protecting the brain against pathogens. If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury due to the fault of another person or entity, please reach out to me at (415) 805-7284 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
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