A new study was recently released by the researchers involved with Track-TBI. The Track-TBI studies involve patients with traumatic brain injury who have been seen at 18 Level I trauma centers in the United States from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018.
Continue Reading Outcomes in Patients With Mild TBI Without Acute Intracranial Traumatic Injury
mTBI and Parkinson’s Disease
It has been known for some time there is an increased risk of neurologic decline following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A new study published in PLOS ONE adds further proof. In a recent study, epidemiologists reported a 56% increased risk of veterans with mild traumatic brain injury developing Parkinson’s disease within 12 years post-injury. According to the researchers, “the goal of the study was to obtain evidence for premature cognitive decline in young veterans with a positive mTBI by comparing their cognitive scores against veterans without mTBI, healthy non-veteran controls and older early-stage, non-demented subjects with Parkinson’s disease.”
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Long Term Post-Concussion Symptoms
I recently took the deposition of a neuropsychologist who maintained that all patients having sustained a mild traumatic brain injury recover within six months. When presented with recent studies demonstrating the inaccuracy of that opinion, he acknowledged that he was unfamiliar with those studies. Rather, he relied on a 2004 paper by Carroll, et al. and two chapters authored by defense forensic neuropsychologists.
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Real Recovery Time for mTBI: New Study Concludes Difficulties at 1 Year Post-mTBI are Common
A new study published in JAMA Neurology further debunks the myth often heard by defense doctors in litigation: everyone recovers from an mTBI within 6 to 8 weeks.
Continue Reading Real Recovery Time for mTBI: New Study Concludes Difficulties at 1 Year Post-mTBI are Common
Study Finds that Cognitive Impact can Persist in Young Adults with Concussions
A new study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience has found that young adults with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), or concussions, can experience persistent cognitive changes as well as altered brain activity.
Continue Reading Study Finds that Cognitive Impact can Persist in Young Adults with Concussions
Saliva Test Predicts Prolonged Concussion Symptoms in Children
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, although the majority of concussions that are diagnosed annually occur in children, clinical guidelines are usually based on adult concussion sufferers. The lack of guidelines may limit the ability of pediatricians to accurately predict the duration of a child’s symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and concentration problems — which can interfere with school and other activities.
In many concussion cases, concussion symptoms last only a few days. However, up to 25 percent of children have prolonged concussion symptoms which can last for months.
Concussion Symptom Saliva Test Study Presented at Annual Meeting
New research presented at the 2017 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting suggests that a saliva test for children may offer answers as to how long concussion symptoms will last. Researchers presented an abstract of the study, “Peripheral microRNA patterns predict prolonged concussion symptoms in pediatric patients.” The PAS Meeting is produced through a partnership of four organizations: Academic Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Pediatric Society, and Society for Pediatric Research.
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Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and the Pupillary Light Reflex
According to a recent review study of Pubmed Central/National Library of Medicine databases, the pupillary light reflex provides an optimal opportunity to investigate mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
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Impact of Financial Compensation on Late Mortality After TBI
A recent study evaluated the impact of financial compensation on late mortality after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The findings suggest that compensation may reduce late mortality risk.
To determine the impact of financial compensation on long-term mortality in adults with severe TBI, the outcomes of 2545 adults discharged from three post-acute inpatient rehabilitation services were analyzed. Compensation data were available for 1851 participants, with 826 receiving financial compensation. The study noted that yearly standardized mortality ratios were elevated above general population norms for six to ten years in both groups.
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Fewer Recurrent Concussions Among School Athletes Following Implementation of State Laws
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health noted a significant decrease in recurrent concussions among high school athletes following the implementation of laws in many states relating to sports play.
As reported by Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research, these laws aim to reduce harm from brain injuries occurring during youth sports activities. They address such factors as removal from play following injury, requirements for return-to-play clearance after a concussion, and education of coaches, parents, and athletes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 300,000 youths suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or concussions while playing sports each year. TBIs can cause serious health consequences in children, which may be short-term or lifelong.
In response to these injuries, all states have passed laws for the purpose of reducing brain injuries during youth sports play. Data is now available to analyze the possible impact of those laws on reducing brain injuries in children.
Is the Discharge Destination for Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Predictive of Recovery?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause cognitive, behavioral, and physical limitations, and impact an individual’s ability to return to work, reintegrate into the community and live independently.
A new study will undertake a systematic review of the predictive nature of discharge settings following acute care of TBI patients. Researchers believe the results of this review will aid healthcare providers, and TBI patients and their families, in making informed discharge decisions to the next level of care.