Articles: traumatic-brain-injuries.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jan 2015
Moderate and severe traumatic brain injury: effect of blood alcohol concentration on Glasgow Coma Scale score and relation to computed tomography findings.
The influence of alcohol is assumed to reduce consciousness in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), but research findings are divergent. The aim of this investigation was to study the effects of different levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores in patients with moderate and severe TBI and to relate the findings to brain injury severity based on the admission CT scan. ⋯ Influence of alcohol significantly reduced the GCS score in a dose-dependent manner in patients with moderate and severe TBI and with Rotterdam CT scores of 1-3. In patients with Rotterdam CT scores of 4-6, and therefore more CT findings indicating increased intracranial pressure, the brain injury itself seemed to overrun the depressing effect of the alcohol on the CNS. This finding is in agreement with the assumption of many clinicians in the emergency situation.
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Neuropsych Dis Treat · Jan 2015
ReviewTreatments for traumatic brain injury with emphasis on transcranial near-infrared laser phototherapy.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a growing health concern affecting civilians and military personnel. In this review, treatments for the chronic TBI patient are discussed, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cognitive therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. All available literature suggests a marginal benefit with prolonged treatment courses. ⋯ Symptoms were monitored by depression scales and a novel patient diary system specifically designed for this study. NIR light in the power range of 10-15 W at 810 nm and 980 nm can safely and effectively treat chronic symptoms of TBI. The clinical benefit and effects of infrared phototherapy on mitochondrial function and secondary molecular events are discussed in the context of adequate radiant energy penetration.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
ReviewEmbracing failure: What the Phase III progesterone studies can teach about TBI clinical trials.
Despite positive preclinical studies and two positive Phase II clinical trials, two large Phase III clinical trials of progesterone treatment of acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) recently ended with negative results, so a 100% failure rate continues to plague the field of TBI trials. ⋯ Better definitions of injury and healing and better outcome measures are essential to change the embrace of failure that has dominated the field for over 30 years. This review offers suggestions to improve the situation.
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Brain injury : [BI] · Jan 2015
Observational StudyPrediction of neuropsychological outcome after mild traumatic brain injury using clinical parameters, serum S100B protein and findings on computed tomography.
To identify if demographics, clinical and computed tomographic (CT) characteristics at first presentation and S100B concentrations at 3 and 6 hours after mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) predict the development of post-concussion syndrome (PCS) after 1 month. ⋯ Outcome prediction using baseline characteristics (post-traumatic headache and seizure), CT and laboratory findings (6-hour S100B) were valuable factors for identification of the individual MTBI patient at risk for developing PCS 1 month after the injury.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite extensive preclinical research supporting the effectiveness of neuroprotective therapies for brain trauma, there have been no successful randomized controlled clinical trials to date. TBI results in delayed secondary tissue injury due to neurochemical, metabolic and cellular changes; modulating such effects has provided the basis for neuroprotective interventions. ⋯ We discuss the concept of utilizing multipotential drugs that target multiple secondary injury pathways, rather than more specific "laser"-targeted strategies that have uniformly failed in clinical trials. Moreover, we assess data supporting use of neuroprotective drugs that are currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for TBI, as well as promising emerging experimental multipotential drug treatment strategies. Finally, we describe key challenges and provide suggestions to improve the likelihood of successful clinical translation.