A New Diagnostic Tool For Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are common in traffic accidents. Usually, the severity of a brain injury is determined by neuroimaging, which is taking a photo of the brain, assessing the patient’s consciousness, and seeing whether they suffer from amnesia. The Glasgow Coma Scale is also used, which rates a patient’s eye, motor, and verbal response. However, scientists may have discovered a new way to indicate the severity of a TBI, which could improve diagnosis and the severity of a brain injury following an accident.
A traumatic brain injury can be severe and frightening for the patient and the entire family. In many cases, it results in a long period of hospitalization. In others, the prognosis is so poor that the injured person remains in a coma long-term or can never return to their former way of life. At AutoAccident.com, we have handled many negligence claims involving a TBI. This is important for the injured person and their family since many of these injuries can continue and be financially draining.
Brain Protein Can Indicate TBI Severity
Cathepsin B is a protease in normal cells and tissues essential to the brain’s function and development. Researchers at Walter Reed have demonstrated that it can be used as a biomarker indicating how severe a TBI is. Since brain injuries can have a wide range of symptoms, it can be difficult for specialists to locate the problem and extent of trauma. Researchers believe that biomarkers can drastically improve the diagnosis of a TBI, which can lead to quicker and more accurate treatment. In addition, a biomarker can help indicate strategies, such as whether a drug is reaching its target and whether the therapy is beneficial.
Causes of Brain Injury
Brain trauma can result in several ways, the most common cause of injury being a motor vehicle accident. They also occur from sports injuries, falls, wounds, and other reasons. Those in the military, children, the elderly, and athletes are in particular danger of suffering a TBI. In an article that appeared in the Journal Of Neurotrauma, it was demonstrated by the researchers that cathepsin B levels increase in the areas of the brain that are injured. Those areas include language, critical functions, memory, and the senses.
What Does Cathepsin B Do in an Undamaged Brain?
There are several roles that this biomarker performs. It helps eliminate cells that are damaged, maintains order, and degrades proteins that are injured. If the level of cathepsin B isn’t controlled tightly, it can lead to tissue death or inflammation, which could cause additional brain damage following an injury. The researchers believe it can also be used as a blood-based biomarker that can not only identify the seriousness of a TBI but can be used in the cerebral spinal fluid as well as different regions of the brain.
Benefits of This New Strategy
Using a biomarker test, according to the study’s lead author, can improve patient care and minimize the need for MRI or CT scans. Instead, more portable tests could be used, even at an accident site, or in the case of soldiers, on the battlefield.
Galt Brain Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Galt brain injury lawyer. If you or your loved one suffered a brain injury because of someone else’s negligent actions, please call for my free and friendly advice. My phone number is (209) 227-1931 in the Galt area or (800) 404-5400 long-distance. An online form to connect with me is also available.
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Since 1982, I’ve helped numerous Galt residents to get compensation for all kinds of traffic collisions, traumatic injuries, and losing a loved one to wrongful death.
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