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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . Research Helps to Explain Depression

Research Helps to Explain Depression

 

newsboy-thDepression affects many TBI survivors, but, until now, no one knew why a person became depressed. Basic research at the Wiezmann Institute of Science in Israel has resulted in revealing an important part of the pathway that regulates a key chemical (serotonin) responsible for depression and anxiety. The scientists identified a small RNA molecule (microRNA miR135) that determines whether a person becomes depressed or not.

MicroRNAs were recently discovered. In this case, microRNA miR135 regulates the level of serotonin. The regulation of serotonin by miR135 was proven in mice genetically engineered to have high or low levels of miR135. As a result, the level of serotonin was affected. Too little serotonin resulted in signs of depression and anxiety in mice. Humans who were depressed had unusually low levels of miR135. Higher miR135 levels were observed in people who were not depressed. Such people are known to have higher levels of serotonin. The ability to measure the level of miR135 in people means better diagnosis of depression. It also means it will be possible to screen for therapeutic drugs that can boost the miR135 level (and therefore serotonin level). (Full story)

 

 

 

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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . . Michael Schumacher, F1 Champion, Leaves Hospital

Michael Schumacher, F1 Champion, Leaves Hospital

 

Record-setting seven-time Formula 1 racecar champion, Michael Schumacher, had a harrowing skiing accident in the French Alps in December. The accident was so severe that his helmet split. He was placed into a medically induced comanewsboy-th to protect his brain as much as possible. He took considerably longer than expected to awaken, causing much concern. The last news report was in April, and he was not fully awake then. He did eventually awaken and was recently discharged from the hospital. He faces what will certainly be a long period of rehabilitation, which his family hopes to keep private. (Full story)

 

 

 

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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . . . . . Kyle Turley Raises Awareness of Head Injuries

Former NFL Player, Now Country Singer, Raises Awareness of Head Injuries

 

Newsboy thFor 10 years, Kyle Turley was a first-string offensive lineman in the NFL and had several mild TBIs. Today he is retired and has a Country-Rock band. He is outspoken about head injuries in the NFL; he fights for retired players who are struggling because of head traumas; and he works passionately toward a reasonable NFL policy on concussions. In the video, he sings his hit song, “Fortune and Pain,” which is about the lives of former players. (Full story and video)

 

 

 

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Speak Out! NewsBit . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Helmet Saves Time in Stroke Diagnosis

Newsboy th

New Helmet Saves Time in Stroke Diagnosis

Scientists from Chalmers University of Technology, Sahlgrenska Academy, and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden have presented clinical evidence that a helmet able to generate and analyze microwaves can quickly distinguish the type of stroke. A stroke resulting from a ruptured blood vessel can be differentiated from a stroke caused by a blood vessel blocked by a loose clot. Since clots can be dissolved by therapeutic drugs, treatment of this class of strokes (85% of all strokes) can begin as soon as the diagnosis is made. The helmet has no effect on the other class of strokes. Time is important. Stroke-caused deaths and disabilities are fewer with earlier treatment. The clinical studies on the helmet were done in a hospital, but the helmet is designed for use in the ambulance. (Full story)

 

 

 

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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . . . How Stem Cells Form Specific Tissues

How Stem Cells Form Specific Tissues

Stem cells have the potential to form any kind of tissue. But, they were only recently discovered, and research is in its early stages on this highly promising cell type. Exciting research at Case Western Reserve University has identified a type of genetic signal Newsboy ththat induces stem cells to form a specific tissue. The clinical implications are immense. It will eventually be possible to remove stem cells from an individual to avoid immune rejection and grow neural cells (for example) that can repair or replace damaged neurons. (Full story)

 

 

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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . . . . . Rats Paralyzed by Stroke Recover Almost Fully

Rats Paralyzed by Stroke Recover Almost Fully

 

Breakthrough research at the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich’s Neuroscience Center, and the University of Heidelberg has shown that well-timed treatment and therapy can lead to new nerve growth and allow rats to recover 85% of motor function after stroke. Newsboy thWhen nerves are damaged, certain proteins (Nogo proteins) block growth of those nerves. The researchers used antibodies against the Nogo proteins to block their inhibitory action. They then saw new and functional nerve fibers begin to sprout. Rehabilitation therapy that began immediately had little effect, but when time was allowed for nerve growth to occur, rehabilitation therapy had a dramatic effect: the paralyzed rats recovered almost fully. The scientists believe that rehabilitation at the right time helps solidify key neural circuits. First author Anna-Sophia Wahl said “This new rehabilitative approach at least triggered an astonishing recovery of the motor skills in rats, which may become important for the treatment of stroke patients in the future.” (Full story)

 

 

 

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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . . Brain Implant to Control Epilepsy

A Brain Implant to Control Epilepsy

Epileptic seizures can be caused by a TBI. The FDA recently approved a Michigan company’s experimental brain implant that has the potential to prevent seizures. Microprocessors were surgically inserted into the craniums of adult patients. The device monitors Newsboy thbrain activity and stops seizures. Once the brain activity that leads to a seizure is localized and identified, it can be interfered with by programming the implant to emit specific electrical signals. The result should be that the patient never has the seizure. (Full story)

 

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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . . Finding May Lead to Better Screening of Brain Aneurysms

Newsboy thFinding May Lead to Better Screening of Brain Aneurysms

An international team of scientists has found that a major structural protein of cerebral blood vessels in aneurysms is significantly younger than thought. They used radioactive carbon dating to determine the age of a protein, type I collagen. The team found that samples from people with risk factors for stroke (e.g., smoking, high blood pressure) had type I collagen that was far younger than it was in samples from people with no risk factors. The finding of new type I collagen contradicts the widely held assumption that the protein in cerebral aneurysms is long-lived. The scientists feel that the difference in the ages of type I collagen could lead to a screen for aneurysms that could rupture yet be early enough to take measures that would prevent a hemorrhage from happening. (Full story)

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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . . White House Concussion Summit

Newsboy thWhite House Concussion Summit

 

Parents, coaches, teachers, and others are becoming increasingly concerned that youth sports can affect children’s brains and in many cases cause life-altering injuries (see “Children’s Brains at Risk,” in my “So Whaddya Think?” category, May 28, 2014). To address this epidemic-like problem and to increase awareness of the hazards of concussions, President Obama held the Healthy Kids & Safe Sports Concussion Summit today. The President called for more research into the brain and in better equipment. Several organizations, both commercial and publically funded, have made commitments of money and effort to find a solution to this “invisible crisis.” The goal is a national plan that will cover all youth sports. (Story 1 with video, story 2, story 3, and the White House fact sheet)

 

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SPEAK OUT! NewsBit . . . . . . . . . . . Military and Traumatic Brain Injury

The Military and Traumatic Brain Injury

 

Newsboy thIt has been said that traumatic brain injury is the signature wound of troops returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mild TBIs (mTBIs), many of which are concussions, constitute the majority of TBIs. Often an mTBI is invisible. Even the injured soldier may not be aware that he/she has an mTBI. Treatment, if it is obtained at all, is sometimes sought weeks or months later. mTBIs are common, but they can have serious consequences. The Military has increased its awareness of TBI. For example, they are supporting research to develop a hand-held eye-tracking device that will enable a troop with an mTBI to be diagnosed quickly in the field. It will help soldiers get immediate treatment, and it will prevent those troops from being sent back into the field. Here are two powerful videos (parts 1 and 2) of returning soldiers with a TBI and their families discussing their new lives. I have also provided a link to the Department of Defense’s material on TBI. (Videos Part 1 and Part 2) (DoD page)

 

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