Articles: brain-injuries.
-
Journal of neurosurgery · Nov 1995
Chronic postinjury administration of MDL 26,479 (Suritozole), a negative modulator at the GABAA receptor, and cognitive impairment in rats following traumatic brain injury.
The present experiment examined the efficacy of postinjury administration of MDL 26,479 (Suritozole), a negative modulator at the gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor that enhances cholinergic function, in attenuating spatial memory deficits after traumatic brain injury in the rat. Two experiments were performed. In the delayed-dosing experiment, rats received a moderate level (2.1 atm) of fluid-percussion brain injury and were tested in the Morris water maze 11 to 15 days following injury. ⋯ However, those treated chronically beginning 24 hours after injury had significantly shorter latencies than the injured, saline-treated rats (p < 0.05). These results suggest that administration of agents that enhance cholinergic function may be an appropriate strategy for promoting cognitive recovery when given after traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, prolonged treatment may be necessary to elicit beneficial effects.
-
Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Oct 1995
ReviewThe radiologic evaluation of craniocerebral missile injuries.
A brief overview of the imaging findings in craniocerebral missile injury is presented here. CT scanning has established itself as the primary imaging modality for the complex injuries seen in CMI as well as its acute and delayed complications. ⋯ With regard to outcome prediction, imaging has also proved to be of some, albeit limited, usefulness, primarily as adjuncts to clinical criteria such as the GCS. Future research with CT as well as magnetic resonance imaging will likely expand the clinical role of these modalities, particularly in the realm of outcome analysis.
-
Journal of neurotrauma · Oct 1995
ReviewSystemic hypothermia in treatment of severe brain injury: a review and update.
Laboratory studies of moderate hypothermia (30-33 degrees C) after injury show diminished neuronal loss after ischemia, diminished excessive neurotransmitter release after ischemia, prevention of blood-brain barrier disruption after ischemia and brain injury, and behavioral improvement after brain injury. Clinical literature suggests that brief periods of moderate hypothermia (> or = 30 degrees C) in humans are not associated with cardiovascular, hematologic, metabolic, or neurological toxicity. Clinical studies were, therefore, organized to investigate the potential application of moderate systemic hypothermia in patients after severe brain injury. ⋯ A randomized study of moderate hypothermia in 46 patients with Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) 4-7 gave an indication of improved neurologic outcome in the hypothermia group. A multicenter, randomized protocol to test the effect of moderate systemic hypothermia in patients with severe brain injury is in progress. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, The National Acute Brain Injury Study: Hypothermia tests the hypothesis that systemic hypothermia to 32-33 degrees C if rendered within 6 h of injury improves Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS) at 6 months after injury in patients with severe brain injury (GCS 3-8).
-
Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Oct 1995
ReviewMultivariate analysis and prediction of outcome following penetrating head injury.
Schemes for predicting outcome in craniocerebral missile injury have ranged from Cushing's analysis that was based on the physical characteristics of the injury to complex logistic analyses that incorporate radiographic, laboratory, and clinical data. Generation of predictive scales is discussed, focusing on the utility of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at presentation, presence or absence of coagulopathy, and radiographic evidence of the volume and type of tissue damage.
-
Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Oct 1995
ReviewPenetrating injuries in the Vietnam war. Traumatic unconsciousness, epilepsy, and psychosocial outcome.
The WF Caveness Vietnam Head Injury Study includes over a thousand men who survived penetrating head injuries during the Vietnam War and on whom detailed medical and follow-up data are available. This population offers unique opportunities for the study of recovery from brain injury and of brain structure-function relationships. The authors briefly review long-term outcome in this cohort with respect to traumatic unconsciousness, post-traumatic epilepsy, and elements of psychologic and psychosocial function, including returning to work.