Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Are you at risk for TBI?
Are you at risk for TBI? Are you 18-24? Are you a male? Do you serve in the miliary? If you said yes to all of those questions, then you are a high risk candidate to suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury. Males are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from TBI; as well as, the age demographic of people 18-24. Of those 2 demographics, that is predominatly the age and gender make up of the U.S. military. People who serve in the military the leading causes of TBI are:
- Bullets
- Fragments
- Blasts
- Falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
And for those military personnel serving in war-zones overseas, blasts are the leading cause for TBI and "signature" injury of the military. These blasts can come from Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's), Rocket-propelled grenades (RPG's), or landmines. These blasts affect the brain due to the overpressue wave or the complex pressure wave that is generated. A blast overpressure wave travels at a very high rate of speed and its effects can be especially concentrated and devistating when soldiers are travelling in a military vehicle. Air-filled organs such as lungs, ears; as well as, organs that surrounded by fluid-filled cavities such as the brain and spinal cord are especially susceptible. Another blast injury is the secondary blast effects, such as flying debris. These flying fragments such as pieces of the bomb itself, asphalt, concrete, or whatever happened to be lying near by or what struck and detonated the bomb. Lastly, being thrown due to the blast itself can also cause brain injuries. And it isn't just to be thrown, you could be thrown against a wall or the side of a vehicle, basically anything solid. This rapid acceleration/deceleration force and blunt force trauma that comes from hitting something all mimic or mirror traffic accidents that cause TBI.
This leads me to an earlier post, how do we mitigate the effects of TBI? Blast shields are definitely a way to minimize the effects of the blast wave affecting the brain. But that doesn't do everything, especially when it comes to "after" you've been exposed. What can you do for yourself "before" you've been exposed? This is where some more research has turned up an article entitled "Pre-Injury Exercise May Mitigate the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice." Now, I know we aren't mice, but this study sounds very promising and should give all those serving more incentive to do more physical training! The study, performed by Jerome Badaut, Ph.D, from Loma Linda University, was perfomed using 9 mice. Of the 9 mice, 4 were allowed to exercise on wheels, while 5 mice were sedentary. The running mice were allowed to run for 2 weeks before they underwent a procedure that mirrors or mimics a TBI. The mice's brains were examined using Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI). The MRI images revealed that the lesions in the exericsing mice were 34 percent smaller in volume than those mice who did not run. This is some exciting news and further stresses the importance of being phsycially fit. I hope that more studying is being done.
http://www.dvbic.org/TBI---The-Military.aspx
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101116100457.htm
- Bullets
- Fragments
- Blasts
- Falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls
And for those military personnel serving in war-zones overseas, blasts are the leading cause for TBI and "signature" injury of the military. These blasts can come from Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's), Rocket-propelled grenades (RPG's), or landmines. These blasts affect the brain due to the overpressue wave or the complex pressure wave that is generated. A blast overpressure wave travels at a very high rate of speed and its effects can be especially concentrated and devistating when soldiers are travelling in a military vehicle. Air-filled organs such as lungs, ears; as well as, organs that surrounded by fluid-filled cavities such as the brain and spinal cord are especially susceptible. Another blast injury is the secondary blast effects, such as flying debris. These flying fragments such as pieces of the bomb itself, asphalt, concrete, or whatever happened to be lying near by or what struck and detonated the bomb. Lastly, being thrown due to the blast itself can also cause brain injuries. And it isn't just to be thrown, you could be thrown against a wall or the side of a vehicle, basically anything solid. This rapid acceleration/deceleration force and blunt force trauma that comes from hitting something all mimic or mirror traffic accidents that cause TBI.
This leads me to an earlier post, how do we mitigate the effects of TBI? Blast shields are definitely a way to minimize the effects of the blast wave affecting the brain. But that doesn't do everything, especially when it comes to "after" you've been exposed. What can you do for yourself "before" you've been exposed? This is where some more research has turned up an article entitled "Pre-Injury Exercise May Mitigate the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice." Now, I know we aren't mice, but this study sounds very promising and should give all those serving more incentive to do more physical training! The study, performed by Jerome Badaut, Ph.D, from Loma Linda University, was perfomed using 9 mice. Of the 9 mice, 4 were allowed to exercise on wheels, while 5 mice were sedentary. The running mice were allowed to run for 2 weeks before they underwent a procedure that mirrors or mimics a TBI. The mice's brains were examined using Magnetic Resonance Imagine (MRI). The MRI images revealed that the lesions in the exericsing mice were 34 percent smaller in volume than those mice who did not run. This is some exciting news and further stresses the importance of being phsycially fit. I hope that more studying is being done.
http://www.dvbic.org/TBI---The-Military.aspx
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101116100457.htm
TBI and the military
Did you know that the military has a higher incidence and that active duty service members are at an increased risk for suffering a TBI when compared to their civilian counterparts. One of the main reasons for this is simply demographics: the largest age demographic for people who are the greatest risk to suffer from TBI are 18-24 and the very nature of what the military does and its personnel are exposed to. For people serving in the military, you are at an increased risk for suffering TBI due to:
- Bullets
- Fragments
- Blasts
- Falls
- Assaults
- Motor vehicle traffic accidents
For those military personnel serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, the single most leading cause for TBI is blast-related injuries. Another statistic is that males are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from TBI. So when you combine that age demographic, gender, and the military role in war, you can easily see why serving in the military places you in a higher risk category.
So knowing this, I suppose the next thing to consider is how to mitigate your risk if you are exposed to a blast that could cause TBI. We have already discussed face shields that are being studied by the military and scientists as a way to reduce the effects. Through the course of some of my research I uncovered a little bit of information concerning fitness. A November, 2010 article Pre-Injury Exercise May Mitigate the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice is beginning to show some promise. In the study, 9 mice were used. 4 mice were allowed to exercise on a wheel, while 5 mice were sedentary. After 2 weeks, the mice were subjected to a procedure that "mimics" TBI. After the
- Bullets
- Fragments
- Blasts
- Falls
- Assaults
- Motor vehicle traffic accidents
For those military personnel serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, the single most leading cause for TBI is blast-related injuries. Another statistic is that males are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from TBI. So when you combine that age demographic, gender, and the military role in war, you can easily see why serving in the military places you in a higher risk category.
So knowing this, I suppose the next thing to consider is how to mitigate your risk if you are exposed to a blast that could cause TBI. We have already discussed face shields that are being studied by the military and scientists as a way to reduce the effects. Through the course of some of my research I uncovered a little bit of information concerning fitness. A November, 2010 article Pre-Injury Exercise May Mitigate the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice is beginning to show some promise. In the study, 9 mice were used. 4 mice were allowed to exercise on a wheel, while 5 mice were sedentary. After 2 weeks, the mice were subjected to a procedure that "mimics" TBI. After the
Thursday, March 17, 2011
How do we detect TBI after it happens on the battlefield?
I have made a few posts concerning the strides that are taking place in trying to mitigate the effects of blast-related TBI and with detecting the possible effects of the blast on the brain. But what about a test to determine if the Soldier actually has TBI? In the past, the Army had used a test called "Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics" to create a baseline that could be used in future treatment.
Army Surgeon General, Lt. General Eric Schoomaker testified before the House Armed Services Commitee that the test is in effect, flawed. Lt General Schoomaker stated the test "is insensitive and nonspecific. It misses about a quarter to a third of [troops] who are concussed and includes about 50 percent of [troops] not concussed." What Lt General Schoomaker is proposing, is that the Army move to use the "Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, known as ImPACT, a tool the National Football League uses to assess brain injuries in its players." Lt General Schoomaker went on to state that short of a clinical diagnosis on the battlefield, there is no definitive test.
There may be some hope on the horizon. Recently, researchers for the United States Army have developed a blood test that they believe can detect even the mildes forms of TBI. There is hope that this test could be used in the future to detect Shaken Baby Syndrome in child abuse cases. The blood test works by looking for "unique proteins that spill into the bloodstream after injury and is akin to the test that doctors currently use to diagnose heart disease." It looks as though approximately 1,200 patients will be used in the large trial before it goes before the FDA for approval.
I certainly hope this blood test will provide the detailed results that the doctors are looking for. Traumatic Brain Injury has been called the "signature" wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. To read the articles that are discussed in this blog comment, please click below.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110316_3265.php?oref=topnews#
http://www.amsvans.com/blog/2795-new-blood-test-to-diagnose-traumatic-brain-injury-tbi/
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100524_1840.php#
MARCH is National Brain Injury Awareness Month:
http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/
Army Surgeon General, Lt. General Eric Schoomaker testified before the House Armed Services Commitee that the test is in effect, flawed. Lt General Schoomaker stated the test "is insensitive and nonspecific. It misses about a quarter to a third of [troops] who are concussed and includes about 50 percent of [troops] not concussed." What Lt General Schoomaker is proposing, is that the Army move to use the "Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, known as ImPACT, a tool the National Football League uses to assess brain injuries in its players." Lt General Schoomaker went on to state that short of a clinical diagnosis on the battlefield, there is no definitive test.
There may be some hope on the horizon. Recently, researchers for the United States Army have developed a blood test that they believe can detect even the mildes forms of TBI. There is hope that this test could be used in the future to detect Shaken Baby Syndrome in child abuse cases. The blood test works by looking for "unique proteins that spill into the bloodstream after injury and is akin to the test that doctors currently use to diagnose heart disease." It looks as though approximately 1,200 patients will be used in the large trial before it goes before the FDA for approval.
I certainly hope this blood test will provide the detailed results that the doctors are looking for. Traumatic Brain Injury has been called the "signature" wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. To read the articles that are discussed in this blog comment, please click below.
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20110316_3265.php?oref=topnews#
http://www.amsvans.com/blog/2795-new-blood-test-to-diagnose-traumatic-brain-injury-tbi/
http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100524_1840.php#
MARCH is National Brain Injury Awareness Month:
http://www.armymedicine.army.mil/
Monday, March 14, 2011
Helmet Sensors that Detect Brain Injuries
In my quest to learn more about TBI and the technology that is aiding and assisting patients suffering from TBI, I wondered if there any technology out there that is helping in the diagnosis of the injury. And sure enough, there is. In the article "Helmets That Detect Brain Injury" by BAE Systems, BAE Systems is working on developing a sensor that will monitor the soldier and help in diagnosing Combat-related TBI.
The sensor is being called Headborne Energy Analysis and Diagnostic System (HEADS). I know, the military just loves acronyms. At least this time, the acronym actually makes sense. According to BAE Systems, the sensors will be outfitted into the helmets that Combat troops will wear and will provide a visual indication whether a Soldier has sustained a Combat-related TBI.
If you are interested, please read the rest of the article: http://www.baesystems.com/AboutUs/Helmetsthatdetectbraininjury/index.htm
The sensor is being called Headborne Energy Analysis and Diagnostic System (HEADS). I know, the military just loves acronyms. At least this time, the acronym actually makes sense. According to BAE Systems, the sensors will be outfitted into the helmets that Combat troops will wear and will provide a visual indication whether a Soldier has sustained a Combat-related TBI.
If you are interested, please read the rest of the article: http://www.baesystems.com/AboutUs/Helmetsthatdetectbraininjury/index.htm
Saturday, March 12, 2011
How to mitigate blast injuries - prevent TBI in Soldiers
I stumbled across a couple of great articles today concerning the addition of blast shields to the helmets Soldiers wear in combat. The Army Combat Helmet (ACH) can be outfitted with blast shields that can imped the blast waves. According to the article Better Helmet Design Might Lower Soldiers' Risk for Brain Injury, by Maureen Salamon, "The addition of a face shield made with transparent armor material to the advanced combat helmets (ACH) worn by most troops significantly impeded direct blast waves to the face, mitigating brain injury."
The research was conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). According to Raul Radovitzky, an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, he and his research team members created computer models to simulate blast explosions to simulate the effects on brain tissue. This all stemed from the fact little was known about how blast waves interact with the brain, or how a Soldiers' protective gear "affects the brain's response to such blasts." This is particularly important because approximately 130,000 U.S. Servicemembers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered blast-induced TBI from explosions.
"Results revealed that without the face shield, the ACH slightly delayed the blast wave's arrival but did not significantly lessen its effect on brain tissue. Adding a face shield, however, considerably reduced forces on the brain." Its hard to imagine something as common and as simple as motorcycle face shield being able to reduce or possible eliminate the devestating effects of a road-side bomb causing TBI in our Soldiers serving overseas. If you would like to read more, please click on the following 2 links:
http://web.mit.edu/press/2010/brain-injuries-1123.html
and
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=122500
The research was conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). According to Raul Radovitzky, an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, he and his research team members created computer models to simulate blast explosions to simulate the effects on brain tissue. This all stemed from the fact little was known about how blast waves interact with the brain, or how a Soldiers' protective gear "affects the brain's response to such blasts." This is particularly important because approximately 130,000 U.S. Servicemembers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered blast-induced TBI from explosions.
"Results revealed that without the face shield, the ACH slightly delayed the blast wave's arrival but did not significantly lessen its effect on brain tissue. Adding a face shield, however, considerably reduced forces on the brain." Its hard to imagine something as common and as simple as motorcycle face shield being able to reduce or possible eliminate the devestating effects of a road-side bomb causing TBI in our Soldiers serving overseas. If you would like to read more, please click on the following 2 links:
http://web.mit.edu/press/2010/brain-injuries-1123.html
and
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=122500
Sunday, March 6, 2011
This Blog
I have decided to try and write a paper about technology and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). More specifically, how technology, is aiding and assisting patients suffering from TBI. I know that it isn't just people in the military who have been affected by TBI, but according to the Department of Defense (DOD), since 2000, there has been over 195,000 documented cases of TBI.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is estimated that 1,700,000 patients suffer from TBI. Of those numbers, 52,000 patients die from TBI, and over 1,300,000 patients are treated and released from emergency rooms across the country. As you can see, this is a serious injury, and one that can certainly and hopefully benefit from technology.
I am going to research and read into the types of the technology that is currently being used and what is the future of technology in aiding and assisting those who are affected by TBI. The CDC further estimates that the direct and indirect costs to America are estimated at 60 billion dollars. This is not only an expensive and devasting injury, but one that I hope one day we can not only mitigate the effects of, but hopefully prevent.
http://www.dvbic.org/TBI-Numbers.aspx
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is estimated that 1,700,000 patients suffer from TBI. Of those numbers, 52,000 patients die from TBI, and over 1,300,000 patients are treated and released from emergency rooms across the country. As you can see, this is a serious injury, and one that can certainly and hopefully benefit from technology.
I am going to research and read into the types of the technology that is currently being used and what is the future of technology in aiding and assisting those who are affected by TBI. The CDC further estimates that the direct and indirect costs to America are estimated at 60 billion dollars. This is not only an expensive and devasting injury, but one that I hope one day we can not only mitigate the effects of, but hopefully prevent.
http://www.dvbic.org/TBI-Numbers.aspx
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