Chronic seizures caused by traumatic head injuries may result from chemicals released by the brain’s immune system attempting to repair the injured site, according to a study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder.  Studies like this are exciting because they give hope to further treatments for underlying conditions caused by traumatic brain injuries.  I marvel at the ability of my clients who have suffered brain injuries to cope with the myriad of different complexes that occur after such an event.  Whereas a broken leg is a broken leg and the victim of that has a definable limit on the rehabilitation process, brain injuries have so many clinical outcomes, including cognitive deficits, physical deficits, seizures, memory and organizational problems, that I am constantly amazed at how families and victims of brain injury cope with all of the different problems.  I like to keep up with the latest studies on brain injury treatment so that I can keep my clients and their families informed of the cutting edge of the TBI rehabilitative process.  To view the entire article surrounding this new study, please click HERE:

I have several friends who have had multiple deployments to Iraq.  This concerns me for obvious reasons, but one of which is the severity of the wounds being suffered by our troops.  The incidence of brain injury for our soldiers is increasing at ever faster rates, given the types of weapons being used by the enemy.   A 2008 study by the think tank RAND estimates that 19 percent of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan experience possible traumatic brain injury.  Many of these injuries are more subtle than the direct blast wound to the head, since we know that simple concussions can result in serious long term consequences for a soldier, such as memory and cognitive deficits.   More concerning is the possible lack of self-reporting done by soldiers in the field, who may think of brain injury as a “psychological wound”   and therefore not want to suffer the perceived stigma of not being able to return to battle.    We do know that immediate treatment is absolutely critical to properly manage an injury to the brain, and therefore we must encourage reporting of concussive symptoms so that treatment can be rendered.  For more discussion of this topic, please click HERE:

A recent study in Texas found that rapidly administering a single dose of estrogen, a strong anti-oxidant and an anti-inflammatory drug, following a stroke increases brain cell survival by up to 65 percent. Estrogens delivered intravenously post injury may have similar effects on people with traumatic brain injury.  Given the long term consequences of serious brain injury, such as cognitive deficits, memory loss, and loss of executive function, studies like these can be life changing.  For the full article, please click HERE.

In a recent vacation in the mountains, I saw many people enjoying motorcycle rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It is a tempting hobby, especially when the weather is wonderful and the air is crisp.  However, motorcycle riders should be very conscious of the risks, and take every precaution to protect themselves from brain injury and other serious injuries that can occur when riding. 

Some recommendations from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to increase motorcycle safety include:

- Improving the motorcycle braking system by utilizing anti-lock braking technology
- Making motorcycles and motorcyclists more visible with enhanced lighting
- Increasing the use of helmets
- Making other drivers more aware of sharing the road safely with motorcycles 

Please be careful if you are riding a motorcycle.  Our goal is to do everything we can to reduce head injuries, especially to those trying to enjoy their summer.

The debate regarding proper treatment and approach to concussions suffered by high school athletes rages on.   The controversy concerns when it is appropriate to allow an athlete to return to the sport after suffering a concussion; some say the decision should be left to sports medicine specialists on the sideline, and others support a broad recommendation preventing players from returning the same day regardless of the circumstances.  I can tell you that, based on my experience with brain injuries, post-traumatic concussion, and cognitive deficits following a seemingly minor head injury, there is absolutely no way I would allow my son back on the playing field the day he suffered a concussion.  Not only would I insure he did not return to play that day, I would make sure he received an evaluation from a physician trained in brain injury and knowledgeable about all manifestations of concussion.  For a full link to the article, please follow this link:  http://www.orthosupersite.com/view.asp?rID=41231