Research
Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine have just published a study in the peer-reviewed journal Radiology showing that soccer players who “head” the ball with high frequency show abnormalities in the white matter of their brains and poorer memory scores on cognitive tests. Read More
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has announced the results of a recent study showing that bright light therapy following Mild TBI (concussion) may improve sleep, cognitive and brain function. The study results were presented at the June 3, 2013 meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC and published in an online supplement to the journal Sleep. Read More
The topic of sexual dysfunction after a traumatic brain injury shouldn’t be taboo. Millions of people in the United States live with the physical, cognitive and emotional consequences traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sexuality is often impacted, but not often discussed or addressed. Failure to address this issue can compound the adverse effect of TBI symptoms on important relationships and self-esteem. NeuroRehabilitation: An International Journal recently published a critical review of fourteen studies on this topic. Read More
Further evidence that the term “mild” should never be used in connection with brain injury can be found in a study published in the March 2013 issue of the Journal Radiology.
In the study, NYU medical school researchers measured changes in global and regional brain volume over a one year period in 30 patients with “mild” traumatic brain injuries and typical post-injury symptoms including anxiety, depression and fatigue, and other symptoms such as headache, dizziness and perceived cognitive problems.
The “BRAIN” initiative, which stands for Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies, is already underway at the National Institute of Health (NIH). And, on April 2, 2013 President Obama announced that his 2014 budget will include $110 million in funding to advance the initiative, which supports human brain research that could be used to treat a range of neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury (TBI).
I expect the additional funds to elevate the project’s urgency, as it would be a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Science Foundation along with other private and public entities. If this initiative goes forward, it also promises to augment work already underway at other research centers throughout the country.
One of the best, if not the best, educational resources for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), including mild brain injury (i.e., concussions), can be found on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. The site offers a credible, reliable and accessible resource for anyone seeking basic information about TBI or wants to keep up to date on current research and findings.