2010 February | Brain Injury Blog | Traumatic Brain Injury TBI

Hormone problems after traumatic brain injury

23. February 2010

Hormonal problems caused by damage to the pituitary gland are considered common in traumatic brain injury. However, reports of rates of pituitary gland impairment after traumatic brain injury have varied from 15-90%. Researchers from the Netherlands recently suggested that this variation could be due to differences in diagnostic criteria, in the type of tests given, [...]

Hearing loss prevalent in traumatic head injury

23. February 2010

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Hearing loss in head injury poses a difficult problem—patients are sometimes unaware of their hearing problems because of cognitive impairment, and others may mistake their hearing loss as a memory or communication problem. It has long been known that hearing loss is common in head injury, and yet it is not always properly diagnosed.

Aggression in TBI not associated with substance abuse or a history of behavioral problems

17. February 2010

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Aggressive behavior after traumatic brain injury, whether it comes in the form of physical or verbal expressions, can interfere with family life, rehabilitation, and recovery. Prevention of aggressive behavior after traumatic brain injury is important, and yet how exactly aggressive behavior was related to injury had not previously been explored. A group of researchers from Johns [...]

Forgetting to remember: Prospective memory and TBI

17. February 2010

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Whether you promise to pick up milk after work, or you make doctor’s appointment for the next day, a little post-it note forms in your mind to remind you of the task. And hopefully, that post-it note will signal you to remember that task at the right time. This process of remembering to remember is [...]

NFL football player with spinal cord injury recovers with hypothermia

15. February 2010

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Complete spinal cord injuries do not often occur in professional sports, but they can produce devastating results when they do. Although the primary injury is serious, a substantial amount of damage occurs during the secondary response to the injury. Much research has focused on reducing this secondary response, by slowing inflammation, cell death, or bleeding.

Injury to the thalamus and its connections related to cognitive deficits.

15. February 2010

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Approximately the size and shape of a big egg, the thalamus is located deep and somewhat center in the brain. Thick projections of white matter connect the thalamus to other areas of the brain, which is why the thalamus to often referred to as a “relay system” of the brain, or in simpler terms, “Grand [...]

Changes in residence after traumatic brain injury

10. February 2010

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A change in residence also represents dramatic financial, social, and emotional changes in the lives of survivors of traumatic brain injury. The long-term effects of residence changes had not been previously been examined, but was important in order to properly anticipate the evolving needs of patients and families. A collaborative effort of researchers in the [...]

Carbon monoxide poisoning after hurricanes

10. February 2010

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Power outages can continue for several days after a disastrous storm. Many people who live in hurricane-prone areas prepare their household by keeping a portable generator on hand to maintain refrigeration and air temperature, or for powering electronic or entertainment devices. However, improper use of these generators can lead to an increased risk of carbon [...]

Sudden cardiac death and stroke in TBI patients taking antipsychotics

9. February 2010

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It is generally acknowledged that antipsychotic drugs can slow cognitive and motor recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury. Recent studies have shown that antipsychotic use is also associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death and stroke.

The effect of motorcycle helmet laws on brain injury and fatality

9. February 2010

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In 1997, Texas implemented a law that made motorcycle helmets optional for motorcycle operators and passengers (age 21 or older). Past research, however, has consistently shown that wearing a protective helmet during a motorcycle accident increases survival rates and decreases the chance of brain injury and fatality.

Archive | February, 2010