Promising Treatments for Brain Injury Patients
Those who have experience dealing with a brain injury understand the devastating consequences that can result. They could lead to lifelong comorbidities for patients, such as chronic pain. Recent research performed by Rutgers University may open a new avenue for the treatment of brain injuries.
Brain Injuries can Cause Chronic Complications
Many areas of the body that are injured, such as cuts on the skin, heal and regenerate with time; however, the same is not true of the brain. That is why people who suffer a stroke or a traumatic brain injury often fail to make a full recovery. The brain is made up of countless neurons that control everything from motor function to sensory perception, memory perception, and judgment. When these are damaged in traumatic injuries, they rarely regenerate. This means that the sensory and motor pathways that were controlled by these neurons are permanently lost.
New Protection for Brain Cells
In an article recently published in Scientific Reports, scientists at Rutgers University used lithium and rapamycin to protect nerve cells in the brain. While lithium is already a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder and rapamycin is a medicine used to treat various forms of cancer, the use of these medications for traumatic brain injuries would be novel. In a head and brain injury, a chemical signal called glutamate is transmitted to nerve cells throughout the injury site. This signal causes nerve cells to die, causing brain damage. The Rutgers scientists’ results were promising and demonstrated evidence that lithium and rapamycin could protect these nerve cells from damage by stopping the transmission of the glutamate signal that leads to brain damage.
The Potential to Help Millions
Traumatic injuries, such as those sustained in auto accidents, are a major source of morbidity and mortality throughout the country on an annual basis; however, traumatic brain injuries are particularly severe. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 1.5 million people develop a traumatic brain injury every year. Furthermore, around 30 percent of all injury-related fatalities are somehow related to a traumatic brain injury. They could be considered wrongful deaths. These injuries impact the elderly and children at a disproportionately high rate. With statistics such as these, it is obvious that more research into the treatment and prevention of traumatic brain injuries must be performed.
Santa Barbara Car Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith
Santa Barbara Car Accident Lawyer and Brain Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara Brain Injury Lawyer. While the field of brain injury treatment has seen some impressive advancements, it can still irreparably damage a patient’s quality of life. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain injury, please contact me at (805) 372-0200 for friendly, free advice. Those calling from outside of the immediate area are invited to use my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400.
I have been inducted into the California Chapter Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This is a group of personal injury lawyers rated among the top attorneys in the country. Each lawyer is invited to join due to their settled cases or verdicts won in excess of $1 Million.
Some of my verdicts and settlements can be viewed here.
My client reviews and ratings are located on Avvo, Yelp, and Google.
Image Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
:dr ab/cv