tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87455871345353243392024-02-08T09:04:30.091-07:00Colorado Brain Injury Law BlogDella Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-76857277463223103302013-08-13T18:16:00.000-06:002013-08-13T18:16:21.274-06:00Progesterone Treatment for TBIs in Final Trial Before USDA Approval
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Brain-Injuries-Due-to-Car-Accidents.shtml"><span style="color: blue;">Car
accidents</span></a>, falls, and even <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Brain-Injuries-and-Athletics.shtml"><span style="color: blue;">sports-related
accidents</span></a> are some of the causes of 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (“TBIs”)
experienced by Americans every year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">TBIs
have caused 52,000 deaths and cost more than $60 billion, according to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">And
for those with a moderate or severe brain injury, there's little help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.bhr-pharma.com/research/brain-injury.html"><span style="color: blue;">BHR Pharma</span></a> is
currently conducting Phase III trial of a study with support from the <a href="https://cymbalta.nsc.vcu.edu/ABIC/home.cfm"><span style="color: blue;">American Brain Injury
Consortium</span></a> and the <a href="http://www.ebic.nl/"><span style="color: blue;">European Brain Injury
Consortium</span></a> which tests the hypothesis that the hormone progesterone can
reduce the number of TBI related deaths or severe disability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">This
study that began in 2010 has doctors in 21 countries comparing severely
brain-injured patients who receive an intravenous progesterone infusion to
those who receive a placebo infusion. The study is designed to test the
hypothesis that the hormone progesterone can reduce mortality and disability if
administered right after a TBI. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patients
must begin the infusion within four hours of the injury, with outcomes assessed
after six months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The
Phase III trial is expected to end this summer after enrolling 1,180 patients. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Results should be available in 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Phase
III is the last round of testing a treatment must go through before approval
can be requested from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That approval could come as early as the end
of 2014, said Neta Nelson, global project director of the study and vice
president of project management.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Small
amounts of progesterone are found in the brains of both women and men,
suggesting that it has neuroprotective as well as reproductive functions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Experts
believe progesterone appears to affect multiple physiologic processes that
follow an acute injury. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reduces the
cerebral swelling that leads to brain cells dying off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Progesterone also may blunt cellular damage
from free radicals and promote myelin production in damaged nerve cells.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-88496867320085745472013-01-28T11:48:00.000-07:002013-01-28T11:48:28.551-07:00Obama Concerned About Brain Injuries in Football<h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Super
Bowl is just around the corner and brain injuries in the sport are getting
almost as much attention as the teams themselves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even President Obama has weighed in on the
subject, saying that as a parent, he’s not sure he’d allow a son to play. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m a big football fan, but I have to tell you
if I had a son, I’d have to think long and hard before I let him play
football.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obama said in an interview
with the <i>New Republic</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I
think that those of us who love the sport are going to have to wrestle with the
fact that it will probably change gradually to try to reduce some of the
violence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some cases, that may make
it a little bit less exciting, but it will be a whole lot better for the
players, and those of us who are fans maybe won’t have to examine our
consciences quite as much.”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">The NFL
has taken most of the public criticism for head injuries, with former players
suffering the consequences of years of hard blows. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Obama said his greater concern is for
amateur players who aren’t getting paid and may not have as full an
appreciation of the risks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“I tend
to be more worried about college players than NFL players in the sense that the
NFL players have a union, they’re grown men, they can make some of these
decisions on their own, and most of them are well-compensated for the violence
they do to their bodies,” Obama said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
read some of these stories about college players who undergo some of these same
problems with concussions and so forth and then have nothing to fall back on. That’s something that I’d like to see the NCAA
think about.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">The NFL
has stayed a step ahead of the NCAA, both in enforcing rules designed to limit
hits to the head and in treating players who suffer concussions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But fans of football at every level should be
prepared for more political pressure on the sport to dramatically reduce hits
to the head.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-27638410147656371562012-08-15T14:52:00.000-06:002012-08-15T14:52:57.295-06:00CU Coach Takes Stance On One Too Many Concussions
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, </span><a href="http://www.cubuffs.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&SPID=255&SPSID=3843"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CU football player</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Will Harlos suffered a concussion
during practice, something not uncommon for this player. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier this year Colorado coach Jon Embree
said he would not allow redshirt freshman Harlos to continue playing football for
the Buffs, if the defender from Somerset, Texas, suffered another concussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">concussion</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to
the head that can change the way your brain normally works.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Embree followed through on that promise Tuesday when he informed
Harlos and his family that he and CU medical staffers consider it unsafe and
unwise for Harlos to continue to play for the team.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Embree said Harlos has the option of
remaining at CU on scholarship if he medically retires.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coach Embree understands the </span><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">severity of brain
injuries</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and their potential impact on the player’s future. His keen
understanding of the subject was gained after coaching in the NFL for 5 years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The league is being sued by nearly 3,500
plaintiffs who claim that it hid information linking concussions and football
related head trauma to long-term brain injuries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several former NFL stars who had suffered
concussions have even taken their own lives in the last several years. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With his first-hand knowledge, Embree decided to draw a line
where he would no longer allow a player with a history of concussions to play
for him at CU.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I don't take that lightly," Embree said in the
spring. "We have some guys who if they get one more concussion, they're
done. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's not up for debate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they want to play, they've got to go
somewhere else. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm not having it on my
shoulders."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Many players, like Harlos, are aware of the dangers of
continuing to play with a history of concussions but love the sport too much to
give it up. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" I love football more than I fear for a concussion," Harlos said in the spring. "It really overcomes it. I'm not really worried about it. I just want to come out here and play ball and show these people what I can do." </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, Coach Embree took a stance to promote safety for his team players here at CU. Hopefully, this will set a trend throughout not only college athletics, but even the NFL. </span></span><br />
Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-32052083275241507232012-05-15T11:41:00.000-06:002012-05-15T11:41:08.764-06:00Concussions and Youth Soccer<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fitness and training industries are also conscientious about concussions in youth sports. Check out Jen Lesea-Ames, CEO of Fitwise Training, Inc.'s post about ways to identify <a href="http://soccerskillsandconditioning.com/soccer-info/concussions-and-youth-soccer-ways-to-identify/">Concussions in Youth Soccer!</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/">Nelson Law Offices</a> helps those families of children who are injured in youth sports by the negligence of others. </span>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-41336024748804475472012-01-03T18:43:00.002-07:002012-01-03T18:49:33.316-07:00New Study Calls for Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury Victims as Potential Violence Risks<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In recent findings
published in the online journal, </span><a href="http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1001150"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Public
Library of Science Medicine</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, British and Swedish scientists found that head
injuries can dramatically increase the chances of someone committing violent
crime.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><o:p>I</o:p></span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">n a group
of 22,914 traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) victims examined between 1973 and
2009, almost 9% went on to commit acts of violence after diagnosis, which is
three times the rate in the general population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The British and Swedish scientists who carried out the research defined
violent criminals as those convicted of homicide, assault, robbery, arson,
sexual offences, or illegal threats or intimidation. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Epilepsy was
also investigated, as previous studies had suggested it can also increase the
risk of violence, but the study found no significant association between it and
violent crime. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the TBI <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>group, diagnosis before age 16 was associated
with a lower risk of violence, as was sustaining a concussion rather than a more
severe brain injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And individuals
whose brain injuries were focal (where the injury occurs in a specific location
rather than a more wisespread area) had a higher risk for violence compared
with those having more diffuse brain hemorrhagic injuries or </span><a href="http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=30899"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cerebral
edema</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Author Dr.
Seena Fazel from Oxford University, and colleagues wrote: “For traumatic brain injury,
absolute and relative risks more clearly suggest that there are certain groups
of patients who would benefit from violence risk assessment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As current guidelines for the assessment of
brain injury make no recommendations in relation to the assessment or
investigation of violence risk, our findings suggest that these may need
review, at least for some groups of patients with traumatic head injury,
particularly if they abuse illegal drugs or alcohol.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Damage to
the brain is more than physical; it has </span><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Long-Term-Effects-of-a-Brain-Injury.shtml"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">behavioral
consequences</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to this new
study, a TBI victim has the potential to put another unsuspecting victim in
danger of being injured in a violent crime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now when a careless driver causes an accident resulting in a victim's TBI,
he has potentially created the ripple effect of injuring yet another victim who
sustains a TBI.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-74468285256079257412011-12-06T17:24:00.000-07:002011-12-06T17:24:01.466-07:00Soccer 'Headers' Linked to Brain Injury<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ‘non-contact sport’ of soccer may now be linked to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) for certain players. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A study by the </span><a href="http://www.einstein.yu.edu/home/default.asp"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Albert Einstein College of Medicine</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of Yeshiva University in New York</span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">of 38 amateur soccer players found that frequent and repeated ‘heading’ of soccer balls may cause TBI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>he study established a threshold of 1000-1500 headings a year as the point where injury was most likely to occur.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Heading a soccer ball is not an impact of a magnitude that will lacerate nerve fibres in the brain," said Michael Lipton, M.D., Ph.D., director of radiology research at the Albert Einstein College and lead author of the study. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"But repetitive heading may set off a cascade of responses that can lead to degeneration of brain cells."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study the effects of soccer 'heading' and found that players who met the threshold number of headings have abnormalities similar to those found in TBI patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The researchers identified five areas, in the frontal lobe (behind the forehead) and in the temporo-occipital region (the bottom-rear areas) of the brain that were affected by frequent heading. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those areas are responsible for attention, memory, executive functioning, and higher-order visual functions.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Lipton and colleagues also gave the same 38 amateur soccer players tests designed to assess their neuropsychological function. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Players with the highest annual heading frequency performed worse on tests of verbal memory and psychomotor speed (activities that require mind-body coordination) relative to the other players.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"These two studies present compelling evidence that brain injury and cognitive impairment can result from heading a soccer ball with high frequency," Dr. Lipton said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"These are findings that should be taken into consideration in planning future research to develop approaches to protect soccer players."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Heading is currently an essential part of the game and the focus of many training drills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Dr. Lipton hopes his team’s findings will be used to create safe guidelines for play,</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">especially for younger players, in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <a href="http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;105/3/659">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> currently recommends that adults who supervise participants in youth soccer should minimize the use of heading the ball until the potential for permanent cognitive impairment is further studied.</span></span>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-65052380338425219302011-11-16T10:36:00.000-07:002011-11-16T10:36:54.445-07:00Gabby Giffords' Road to Recovery Is Simply Remarkable<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congresswoman Gabby Giffords is certainly an inspiration for those who suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her remarkable road to recovery was well documented and shown on the recent <a href="http://abc.go.com/watch/2020/SH559026/VD55153303/gabby-giffords--mark-kelly-courage-and-hope">ABC 20/20 Episode</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Statistically, only about 10</span>% <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of those who are shot in the head even survive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Severe brain injuries, such as from gunshot wounds, can leave the victim with physical disabilities, cognitive problems, and behavioral symptoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The potential physical symptoms can run from total or partial paralysis to things like vision and speech problems, and general fatigue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cognitive and behavioral disabilities from a severe brain injury can pose devastating problems for the victim too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are innumerable cognitive and behavioral issues that a TBI victim may have to deal with, including attention, concentration, learning, and memory issues, as well as depression, irritability, and inappropriate behavior issues. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recovery from such a devastating injury is very slow, and improvements can continue to be seen months up to several years later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the recovery is attributable to rewiring of neurons in the brain, sprouting new connections to attempt to regain their former functions and take over functions of the neurons that were lost.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As shown with Congresswoman Giffords, one of the most important parts of the rehabilitation process is family understanding and support for the TBI victim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dealing with the effects of TBI is a lifelong issue for the family, as well as the victim.</span>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-90339938355768329532011-11-07T11:46:00.000-07:002011-11-07T11:46:44.168-07:00Public Documents Need Not Be Automatically Disclosed in Litigation in Colorado<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm changing my post's focus from traumatic brain injury ("TBI") issues, to legal issues from the Colorado Supreme Court's opinion that came out today in </span><a href="http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Supreme_Court/opinions/2011/11SA66.pdf"><strong><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Averyt v. Wal-Mart</span></em></strong></a>,<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em> </em></strong>because of the significance it has to cases filed in Colorado, including <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Causes-of-Brain-Injury.shtml">TBI injury cases</a>. <em><strong> </strong></em>The Court in<strong><em> <a href="http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Supreme_Court/opinions/2011/11SA66.pdf">Averyt</a></em></strong> essentially carved out an exception to a party in a lawsuit's mandatory automatic disclosure of documents obligation under the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for "public documents." </span><a href="http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpExt.dll/corules/1/3/aa7/ab8?fn=document-frame.htm&f=templates&2.0#"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rule 26(a)(1)(B)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> states, "[e]xcept to the extent otherwise directed by the court, a party (to a lawsuit) shall, without awaiting a discovery request, provide to other parties: . . . [a] listing, together with a copy of, or a description by category and location of, all documents, data, compilations, and tangible things in the possession, custody, or control of the party that are relevant to disputed facts alleged with particularity in the pleadings. . ." <a href="http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpExt.dll/corules/1/3/aa7/ab8?fn=document-frame.htm&f=templates&2.0#">C.R.C.P. 26(a)(1)(B)</a>(parentheses added). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In summary, the court in <strong><em><a href="http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Supreme_Court/opinions/2011/11SA66.pdf">Averyt</a></em></strong> ruled that a City of Greeley public document - a document that could have been located equally by either the plaintiff or defendant in the lawsuit - did <em>not</em> have to be disclosed by the party that actually found the document after the trial that already started.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div align="LEFT"></div></span><div align="LEFT"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a very significant ruling in Colorado because now, each party in a lawsuit must be diligent in doing their own research into finding public documents that are relevant to their specific case. The court in <em><strong><a href="http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Supreme_Court/opinions/2011/11SA66.pdf">Averyt</a></strong></em> specifically mentioned a few public documents that do not have to be automatically produced under <a href="http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpExt.dll/corules/1/3/aa7/ab8?fn=document-frame.htm&f=templates&2.0#">Rule 26(a)(1)(B)</a>: newspaper articles, minutes from meetings of governmental bodies, customer reviews, reports of health and safety inspections, complaints lodged with business rating agencies, grievances filed with professional licensing authorities, and even legal documents filed in other cases. But the court did not foreclose the possibility that a party could still obtain, either through written discovery or depositions, information about another party's knowledge or possession of a public document. </span></div><div align="LEFT"><br />
</div><div align="LEFT"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With this new ruling, victims of accidents should be even more diligent in finding a personal injury attorney to represent them who is knowlegable and who is going to work hard to find all the relevant public documents that could affect their case. At </span><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nelson Law Offices</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, we are dedicated to doing just that - building strong personal injury cases for all persons who are the victim of the negligence of others.</span> </div></span><strong></strong>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-91067024403737512292011-10-19T11:03:00.000-06:002011-10-19T11:03:10.814-06:00Cholesterol Drugs Studied for Traumatic Brain Injury Patients<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Johns Hopkins study reported in the </span><a href="http://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Abstract/2011/10000/Premorbid_Statin_Use_Is_Associated_With_Improved.5.aspx"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Journal of Trauma</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> found that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may have a role in the treatment of </span><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">traumatic brain injuries (“TBI”)</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Older adult TBI victims, who had previously been on cholesterol-lowering statin drugs such as Lipitor and Mevacor, when hospitalized with serious head injuries, were 76 percent more likely to survive than those not taking the drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prior use of statin cholesterol drugs was also associated with improved functional recovery at 12 months post-injury for those older patients. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, those TBI victims with heart disease did not benefit from the prior statin drug use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eric B. Schneider, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, believes that it is not the lowering of cholesterol that’s helping the brain recover, but that there are other, less well-known properties of statins that are causing these results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Statins also have an anti-inflammatory effect, and they also are known to modulate the body’s immune response. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Schneider wants to now do a clinical trial administering statins to brain-injured patients, not already on the cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, immediately upon arrival in a hospital emergency department to see if the same effect is achieved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The researchers have cautioned that they cannot recommend that statins be used as a blanket treatment for TBI patients at this time, because there are unknowns and downsides to the drugs, including the risk that some people may develop serious muscle disorders. But if a significant benefit in patients treated with statins after a TBI were found, it would open up a wide variety of possibilities for its use, including giving statins people who are likely to be exposed to mild TBI, such as football players or soldiers in combat.</span>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-49215443597034225172011-10-03T14:41:00.000-06:002011-10-03T14:41:15.099-06:00October 5th Free Lecture on Sports Concussion at Boulder High School<div align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 600px;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=u4lqn9eab&et=1107772859780&s=8329&e=001cDqWyhR1HKPRQKnAzumWk19ahSpaVU1-cviJpHWqRaa0h7KhElZK6j55YAS-8A-bXeNQor_QSY7KvRDj93J8clK4LxBgNTCA99V2Jhbr3-3EAE_8aTov2__X8NhJRbJ8" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img alt="Register for Lecture Now" border="0" height="300" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://bchlectures.org/1011/images/header_concussion.jpg" width="600" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Hits to the head are almost unavoidable in contact sports. But with any bump to the head, caution should be the name of the game. That bump could cause a concussion.<br />
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Concussions are brain injuries that can lead to long-term problems — memory loss, chronic headaches, concentration difficulties — and, in some cases, death. Getting medical help quickly offers the best chance for avoiding serious consequences. Unfortunately, concussions can be difficult to spot.<br />
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Learn the warning signs of concussion and when a hit to the head should mean a trip to the doctor or emergency room. Then get a review of treatment options and rehabilitation for concussions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 520px;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in; width: 62.25pt;" valign="top" width="83"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speakers<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in; width: 327.75pt;" valign="top" width="437"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=u4lqn9eab&et=1107772859780&s=8329&e=001cDqWyhR1HKNjsA-rqnnmHuSq57b9S7cBRSUTsJ62EM7cgMK7H_QDK9cKEnZwlGq1RZJc4PndE13y26KmeYIqLJATf5aQjyvbswC-lIjDt4SfjUaZ2xPCGkgy7HlExpVrKZz4-Xf-OGV0jyOuiIVRiIe79c4qA27k" target="_blank">Jason Glowney, MD</a>, board-certified sports medicine physician<br />
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=u4lqn9eab&et=1107772859780&s=8329&e=001cDqWyhR1HKOvR19eBMZPzVskUCDgmu3C-Rcy7YDLvHKxlsB8q9BcZ7-WRKPmspifKWSgm3O_upgiFvMtTyi5PdQGICXPHJJeQaFvtR3He-kFAML0CE0ZcPoFbqwc9Zup-M_BtBH53n0u9x_dclbx_UKLHZdXrGd-ZcPsTU4kgWU0ryEFylJ54Q==" target="_blank">Julie Stapleton, MD</a>, board-certified physiatrist specializing in neuro-trauma<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in; width: 62.25pt;" valign="top" width="83"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;" valign="top"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 7 to 8 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in; width: 62.25pt;" valign="top" width="83"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;" valign="top"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=u4lqn9eab&et=1107772859780&s=8329&e=001cDqWyhR1HKMWAyYCSshL7RSJgC4jgl31UknU7kr4nDzpj8TOeAEn7sdlkkoXExIkexOzT4IqatnstBGF-TgBk2UwsS8tCfcPeB3JeDErMV1IxIBzhsRy4Ob4QMlwUARXDFpsHhooFzRo6uVs5Mi-gWvXgKNerqb8b94JIs3PgT0e0dU5Xr_x-OLFFAFW7NkGXb8dcdIjaWtX7S15TcsVofquhuLvywPf2xxoBmurugvHmKOZyGg5p9Lp9Wm7sLiNgCUcnKsM2XYv0oL32eMnJhwDJkziop7JyZW7NNwVxmVjRVWpy-mf8m7IAK7gVVJQPaowf1MlZTxXrJyfTDC0-8q4wsj9VptF9TvIuF-RFHmnYfSHO605LKSZs4UWQlXFO3GJSXmDTLlawAdbscrbIxziNrjEJ7tUaOp4z5B3Dd8floQfd7rM3T0oiXE0avOB1CjYiLHwl0HLj9skPukI7EDDEusx9jQwPh5XEhqnUwHgzW_kr3Rz6LuMJXkdJI3SfmKMqc_utaeoTmg7qGCj8wdakgR3OMBUDUDXEOuRlBuGmFGNs2ltszGto2NPw95Qy9OG56itnyo=" target="_blank">Boulder High School (Performing Arts Auditorium)<br />
1604 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder</a><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in; width: 62.25pt;" valign="top" width="83"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RSVP<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;" valign="top"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reservations required</span></strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <br />
Call 303-441-0580 or visit <a href="http://bchlectures.org/concussion">bchlectures.org/concussion</a> to register.<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
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</div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 520px;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in;"> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=u4lqn9eab&et=1107772859780&s=8329&e=001cDqWyhR1HKPRQKnAzumWk19ahSpaVU1-cviJpHWqRaa0h7KhElZK6j55YAS-8A-bXeNQor_QSY7KvRDj93J8clK4LxBgNTCA99V2Jhbr3-3EAE_8aTov2__X8NhJRbJ8"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img align="middle" alt="Register Now" border="0" height="89" id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://bchlectures.org/1011/images/registernow.jpg" width="520" /></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
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<a href="http://www.bchlectures.org/1011/images/concussion.pdf">http://www.bchlectures.org/1011/images/concussion.pdf</a>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-23673370844619567122011-09-30T15:29:00.000-06:002011-09-30T15:29:48.369-06:00Blood Protein Test May Help Diagnose Concussions<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doctors in Cleveland, Ohio are currently conducting a study on local college football players, testing their blood for a protein that could indicate they’ve sustained a concussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood samples are being screened to see if they contain a protein that's known to leak into the blood after sustaining a head injury. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the study confirms the predictive value of the protein, it could lead to simple blood tests to confirm concussions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounts for more than 1 million emergency room visits each year throughout the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The test could also help track the long-term effects of high-impact sports like football or boxing, and it could be valuable to the military, as soldiers often face head injuries caused by the pressure wave from bomb explosions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-34897247059683228062011-08-05T17:04:00.000-06:002011-08-05T17:04:55.001-06:00Higher Risk for Dementia for TBI Victims<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new study revealed that Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), whether mild, moderate, or severe, has been linked to a doubling of risk for dementia.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Presented at this year's </span></span><a href="http://www.alz.org/aaic/overview.asp"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alzheimer's Association International Conference</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in Paris, France, a seven year study of veterans over 55 found that the veterans with TBI were twice as likely to develop dementia over that 7 year period of time, with 15% of the TBI veterans vs 7% of non-TBI veterans developing dementia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"[The findings] suggest TBI may predispose people to earlier manifestation of [dementia] symptoms and raises hope that treatment or rehabilitation may have a role in preventing downstream dementia," says Kristine Yaffe, MD, professor of psychiatry and epidemiology, University of California, San Francisco and director of the Memory Disorders Program at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to Dr. Yaffe, the most plausible explanation for the relationship between increased dementia in TBI victims is that diffuse axonal injury, or swelling of the axons that form connections between the neurons, would disrupt neuronal communication.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clinicians need to recognize TBI as a major risk factor for dementia, and individuals who have sustained a head injury constitute a group that should "probably be followed very carefully as they age and be screened for dementia and other cognitive problems," Dr. Yaffe said.</span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><st1:stockticker w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">TBI</span></st1:stockticker><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> is a widespread problem, far too common among veterans, as well as <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/"><span style="color: blue;">car accident victims</span></a>, <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Drews-Story/"><span style="color: blue;">athletes</span></a>, people who experience falls, and many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 1.7 million <st1:stockticker w:st="on">TBI</st1:stockticker>-related deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits occur in the United States every year.</span></span></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-44849320893591183662011-07-21T14:20:00.000-06:002011-07-21T14:20:48.011-06:00NFL Sued for Concealing Effects of Multiple Brain Injuries on Players<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Seventy-five former NFL players filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court this week, alleging that the league has covered up the harmful effects of concussions for almost 70 years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All of the players in the litigation claim they suffered injuries as a result of <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Drews-Story/"><span style="color: blue;">multiple concussions</span></a>. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">They contend the injuries left them with problems such as dementia, headaches, memory loss, blurred vision, sleeplessness and ringing in the ears. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some claim the injuries caused depression, anxiety, "explosive mood changes," poor judgment and substance abuse.<o:p></o:p></span> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The suit alleges that “the NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the harmful effects on a player’s brain of concussions; however, they concealed these facts from coaches, trainers, players and the public.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The suit also names helmet-maker <a href="http://www.riddell.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Riddell</span></a>, the NFL's official helmet supplier, as a defendant.<o:p></o:p></span> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The suit claims the NFL commissioned a study in 1994, titled "NFL Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury" that published a "false, distorted and deceiving" report in 2004, concluding there was "no evidence of worsening injury or chronic cumulative effects" from multiple concussions.<o:p></o:p></span> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The suit alleges that the NFL finally acknowledged in June 2010 that concussions can lead to dementia, memory loss, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CTE is a degenerative brain condition that has been linked to the deaths of several former NFL players, including former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson and former Cincinnati Bengal Chris Henry. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Even though this litigation could take years of trials </span>and appeals before any final conclusion, its affect could potentially change the future of the NFL and how players' traumatic brain injuries are assessed and handled. </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-36919057905410664092011-06-23T14:02:00.000-06:002011-06-23T14:02:04.122-06:00Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Android Mobile App For Health Care Professionals<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) teamed with the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2) to develop a mobile application called the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) Pocket Guide. It is a free mobile application developed to provide health care professionals with a comprehensive, quick reference that includes clinical practice guidelines for assessing and treating service members and Veterans who have sustained a </span><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Symptoms-of-Brain-Injury.shtml"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MTBI</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><h2 style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #7b9726; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">App Screenshot</h2><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://market.android.com/publish/images/PQAAANexiohlP18mA7b4lhOTjZu2hhAs5SI3pUQCS9JMPYX7NK2fjXObd6Dkpyglx0SPBA93_qvOefK7naPLRJV8jxcAzfqVabnIToiLLmvlWS8d0RurmXF8D3mL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://market.android.com/publish/images/PQAAANexiohlP18mA7b4lhOTjZu2hhAs5SI3pUQCS9JMPYX7NK2fjXObd6Dkpyglx0SPBA93_qvOefK7naPLRJV8jxcAzfqVabnIToiLLmvlWS8d0RurmXF8D3mL.png" width="192" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mobile application is free and available for download on Android smartphones. It is not yet available for iPhone users. Since the mobile application was specifically intended for healthcare professionals who care for service members and veterans, it is not currently appropriate for use for other victims of a MTBI. To download the app, go to: </span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmarket%2Eandroid%2Ecom%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dorg%2Et2health%2Emtbi&urlhash=tLYJ&_t=tracking_anet"><span style="color: #005287; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://market.android.com/details?id=org.t2health.mtbi</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-51127131257971187352011-06-17T08:33:00.000-06:002011-06-17T08:33:10.139-06:00New MMR Device Approved to Diagnose Traumatic Brain Injuries<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new device was recently cleared by the FDA to help diagnose brain injuries in patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span><a href="http://www.medical.siemens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-11&catTree=100010,1007660,12754,1037316&langId=-11&productId=4142478&storeId=10001&_nc_showLayer=1&stc=wwhim170040"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siemens Biograph mMR</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> system is the first machine to simultaneously perform a positron emissions tomography (PET) scan and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PET scans involve a radioactive injection that traces blood flow, while <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Drews-Story/"><span style="color: blue;">MRIs</span></a> produce images of the brain through the use of magnetic fields. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The Siemens PET/MRI system allows two tests to run simultaneously without having to move the patient to a different scanning system,” said FDA representative Alberto Gutierrez in a statement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Minimizing changes in a patient’s position between tests allows for physicians to compare images more easily and helps them get the most accurate information possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The two-in-one scanner both saves time and reduces radiation levels exposed to patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The system has been cleared for anyone who needs diagnostic PET or MRI imaging, with an exception for people with implanted electronic devices like pacemakers or defibrillators.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-26865681694856013422011-05-06T16:20:00.000-06:002011-05-06T16:20:12.268-06:00TBI May Be Helped By Early Nutrition Intervention<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A report by the </span><a href="http://iom.edu/Reports/2011/%20Nutrition-and-Traumatic-Brain-Injury/Report-Brief.aspx"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Institute of Medicine</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, commissioned by the U.S. Defense Department, recommends that in the first 24 hours after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), patients need to receive a level of nutrition that represents more than 50 percent of the injured person’s total energy expenditure and that provides 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This nutrition level should be continued for two weeks in order to reduce inflammation and swelling of the brain and provide enough energy to help the brain repair itself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early feeding was found to mitigate the effects of head injuries and reduce mortality in critically ill people by between 25% and 50%.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"The one major [conclusion] is a focus on getting protein and calories in as quickly as possible," said John Erdman, a nutrition researcher at the University of Illinois, who headed the panel of independent experts that produced the report. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">TBI among U.S. soldiers is a growing problem. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Defense Department says reported cases have tripled to more than 30,000 in the past decade, reflecting injuries from so-called improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, that troops frequently encounter in Afghanistan and Iraq.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Also, because of the parallels between some types of TBI found in combat personnel and those found in civilian brain injuries, such as <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Causes-of-Brain-Injury.shtml"><span style="color: blue;">concussions</span></a> from <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Causes-of-Brain-Injury.shtml"><span style="color: blue;">traffic accidents</span></a> and <a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Causes-of-Brain-Injury.shtml"><span style="color: blue;">sports-related injuries</span></a>, the nutritional interventions explored in this report are relevant for nonmilitary populations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Outside the military, some 52,000 people in the U.S. die each year from TBI, and about 1.5 million patients report to emergency rooms annually with head injuries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As many as 3.8 million people suffer such injuries playing sports each year, says the <a href="http://www.braintrauma.org/"><span style="color: blue;">Brain Trauma Foundation</span></a>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Institute of Medicine’s</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> committee suggests that more research be conducted on a number of other possible benefits for nutritional interventions in TBI victims, including any long-term benefits of nutrition.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-22464232578860955392011-04-29T15:32:00.000-06:002011-04-29T15:32:55.316-06:00Long-Term Depression Linked to TBI<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 30 percent of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients will develop clinical depression, a level three times higher than the general population, according to a new study from </span><a href="http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2011/04/traumatic-brain-injury-depression/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vanderbilt University</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By examining more than 100 previously published studies done over several decades on patients that had experienced </span><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Practice-Areas/Causes-of-Brain-Injury.shtml"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TBIs resulting from motor vehicle accidents, falls, assaults, and sports injuries</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, the Vanderbilt researchers were surprised to discover that the incidence of depression seems to hold steady for people with TBIs even years later.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Any patient who has a traumatic brain injury is at a real risk for developing depression, short and long term,” said Dr. Oscar Guillamondegui, study co-author and professor in Vanderbilt’s Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care. “It doesn’t matter where on the timeline that you check the patient population – six months, 12 months, two years, five years – the prevalence is always around 30 percent across the board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the general population about 9 percent to 10 percent of people have depression.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The study didn’t show a distinction between mild and severe brain injuries, meaning a patient who sustains a concussion might be just as likely to develop depression as one with a fractured skull and </span><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Drews-Story/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">severe bleeding on the brain</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Nine months out, they may have developed depression as a result of the injury, but because the injury seemed mild they may not have had a visit with a physician who could pick up on the problem,” said study co-author, Melissa McPheeters, a health-care epidemiologist and co-director of Vanderbilt’s Evidence-based Practice Center.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Patients and their families need to know about this,” McPheeters said. “They need to know what to look for because they are the ones who will see the changes first.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The researchers also suggested that practitioners should ask about whether a patient has a history of TBI, when they are initially seen for symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, anxiety, and sleeplessness, so that both conditions can be treated together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-8676337854189715062011-04-13T15:15:00.000-06:002011-04-13T15:15:49.666-06:00Research Underway to Develop Drug to Help TBI Victims<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">A chemistry professor at the University of Notre Dame is working on research intended to create a drug that could be given to a patient immediately after a traumatic brain injury to slow or reduce injury to the brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In December, Professor Mayland Chang received a $100,000 grant from NFL Charities (a charitable foundation of National Football League owners) to design and develop a drug for the treatment of TBIs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a brain suffers an injury, it causes biochemical changes that lead to tissue damage and the death of some brain cells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Chang and a colleague at the University of Missouri have been working on developing and defining inhibitors to block those chemical changes, potentially saving brain cells that otherwise would die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have found that some compounds will rescue as much as 60% of the brain that was destined to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chang is currently testing a compound she developed on mice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But human testing is still several years away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-50037160674297761752011-04-01T11:15:00.000-06:002011-04-01T11:15:22.784-06:00Opening Day for Colorado Rockies Brings New TBI Protocols<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have adopted a new series of protocols under the new joint policy regarding concussions.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest change is the creation of a seven-day disabled list (DL) which can be used instead of rushing a player back too soon after a possible concussion or placing him on the 15-day disabled list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seven-day disabled list will aim to allow time for the concussion to clear, prevent players from returning prematurely, and help clubs keep a full complement of players during the player’s absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a player on the seven-day DL is out for more than 14 days, he will automatically and retroactively be transferred to the 15-day DL, effective with the first day of the initial placement, and with the prior 14 days applying to the initial 15-day maximum term. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is implemented on a trial basis for the 2011 season.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the other new key protocols include:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Mandatory baseline neuropsychological testing requirements for players and umpires during Spring Training, or when a player joins a club during the season, formalizing a process that most individual Clubs follow;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Protocols for evaluating players and umpires for a possible concussion, including during incidents typically associated with a high risk, such as being hit in the head a by a pitched, batted or thrown ball or by a bat; being in a collision with a player, umpire or fixed object; or any time when the head or neck of a player or an umpire is forcibly rotated; and</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•Protocols for clearing a concussed player or umpire to return to activity; prior to the time that a concussed player is permitted to play in any game (including Major League, Minor League or extended Spring Training games), the Club must submit a “Return to Play” form to MLB’s Medical Director; submission of the form is required irrespective of whether the player was placed on the Disabled List.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A committee of experts created the policy, which will oversee the manner in which concussions are diagnosed initially and will be used to determine when players and umpires can return to the field following a concussion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Commissioner's Office will conduct an orientation for club medical staffs regarding the new protocols, and each club will be required to have a mild traumatic brain injury specialist in its home city. </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
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</div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-8667598134428487842011-03-30T10:20:00.000-06:002011-03-30T10:20:06.476-06:00Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act signed by Governor<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just yesterday Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law a bill that requires coaches of youth sports to be educated about concussions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It requires that coaches receive education on how to recognize a concussion, that a player is removed from play if a concussion is suspected, and that the student athlete must be signed off by a medical professional before returning to play.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The law applies to coaches of all public and private middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, club, and recreation youth athletic sports.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Most likely, kids this age do not have the knowledge to recognize themselves the symptoms of a brain injury," State Senator Nancy Spence (R-Centennial), a sponsor of the bill said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"This bill is one that will keep athletes active and safe."</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The proposed bill is named in memory of Jake Snakenberg, who was a 14-year old freshman football player at Grandview High School when he passed away after suffering from what doctors diagnosed as Second Impact Syndrome. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doctors believe that in the previous week’s game, Snakenberg suffered an undiagnosed concussion and had not recovered before returning to the field and subjecting the brain to further injury. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snakenberg died of a closed head injury in September 2004 at the age of 14, a day after collapsing during a Grandview freshman football game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son </span><a href="http://coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Drews-Story/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drew</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> was also 14 in 2004 when he suffered several successive concussions during sports activities, ultimately sustaining a large left-sided </span><a href="http://coloradobraininjurylaw.com/Drews-Story/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">epidural hematoma</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This bill, which becomes effective January 1, 2012, will hopefully prevent any further young Colorado athletes from permanent injury or death as a result of participation in youth sports activities.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-24705364317764752892011-03-25T15:18:00.000-06:002011-03-25T15:18:58.703-06:00LEDs As Treatment for TBI Patients<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">A study by Margaret Naeser, PhD, from Boston University School of Medicine and colleagues from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology in Boston, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">has found that daily self-administered light therapy via light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can lead to improvements in cognitive function in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients as well as improvements in post-traumatic stress disorder.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Two longstanding TBI patients were in the study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One sustained a closed-head TBI in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) in April 1997, while the other one was suffering from cognitive dysfunction due to an accident in which she fell backwards from a swing, hitting the back of her head on concrete.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Each patient applied red and near-infrared (LEDs) to their forehead and scalp areas every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following treatments with LEDs, both patients demonstrated substantial improvement in cognitive function, including improved memory, inhibition, and ability to sustain attention and focus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both patients are continuing LED treatments in their homes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Prior to LED therapy, one patient was on medical disability for 5 months. After 4 months of nightly LED treatments at home, she was able to discontinue medical disability and return to working full-time as an executive consultant with an international technology consulting firm.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The findings are published under the heading 'Improved Cognitive Function After Transcranial, Light-Emitting Diode Treatments in Chronic, Traumatic Brain Injury: Two Case Reports' in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Photomedicine and Laser Surgery</i></b>, a peer-reviewed journal.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal, said "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The results of this study will provide a basis for future therapeutic use of phototherapy to improve recovery after injury and facilitate management of other CNS disorders</i>.”</span></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-85778570679515814662011-03-11T11:33:00.000-07:002011-03-11T11:33:51.106-07:00March is Brain Injury Awareness Month<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the </span><a href="http://www.biausa.org/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brain injury Association of America</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (BIAA), every 23 seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a traumatic brain injury (TBI).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Individuals who sustain brain injuries must have timely access to expert trauma care, specialized rehabilitation, lifelong disease management and individualized services and supports in order to live healthy, independent and satisfying lives.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Concussions are TBIs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the </span><a href="http://www.biausa.org/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brain injury Association of America</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A concussion is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Most concussions occur without a loss of consciousness and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a lack of proper diagnosis and management of concussion may result in a serious long-term consequences, or risk of coma or death. Signs and symptoms may be noticeable immediately, or it may take days or weeks before they are present. </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">According to the CDC, an estimated 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year. Of that number, U.S. emergency departments treat approximately 135,000 sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, among children ages 5 to 18.</i>”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Signs and Symptoms of Concussions can include:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Nausea (feeling that you might vomit)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Dizziness or balance problems</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Double or fuzzy vision</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Sensitivity to light or noise</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Headache</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Feeling sluggish or tired</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Feeling foggy or groggy</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Confusion</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Trouble concentrating</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">• Trouble remembering</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TBIs are often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A community of people including surviving victims, spouses, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, significant others, friends, neurologists, neuropsychologists, counselors, service coordinators, occupational therapists, legislators, advocates, brain injury association members, certified homecare aides and many others from a host of disciplines and backgrounds must work together towards a common cause of helping to diagnose, prevent, and treat TBI.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At </span><a href="http://www.coloradobraininjurylaw.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nelson Law Offices</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, we have the knowledge, the passion, and the experience to assist TBI victims throughout the often difficult process of diagnosing the injury and presenting it in court.</span></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-1430461948137223782011-03-04T11:41:00.001-07:002011-03-04T11:50:03.408-07:00Acupressure May Help Traumatic Brain Injury Patients<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">A study published in the January 2011 issue of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Journal of Neurotrauma</i> found that Jin Shin Jyutsu – the ancient Japanese art of releasing accumulated tension through acupressure – may be an effective treatment to help people with mild traumatic brain injury (<stockticker w:st="on">TBI</stockticker>).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Lead author of the study, Professor Theresa Hernandez, from the University of Colorado, found that treatment with Jin Shin, in which gentle fingertip pressure is applied to 26 points of the body, done in a certain sequence to awaken the body's natural power of self-healing, enhanced the cognitive function in people suffering from <stockticker w:st="on">TBI</stockticker>. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Meridians are the places where acupressure points are located, which are connected to various energy pathways in the body that are connected to the health of specific organs including the brain.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Neuropsychological tests were given to study participants who received the Jin Shin treatments and to those in the control group who were given acupressure treatments to areas of the body that were not considered to be Jin Shin acupressure points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participants who received the Jin Shin acupressure treatments showed improved cognitive function, scoring significantly better on tests of working memory when compared to the TBI subjects in the placebo control group.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The study was funded by the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8745587134535324339&postID=143046194813722378#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a> and is believed to be one of the first placebo-controlled studies ever published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, showing the benefit of acupressure to treat patients with TBI.</span></div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /><div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;"><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8745587134535324339&postID=143046194813722378#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/tbi/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/tbi/</span></a></div><div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div></div></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-51631563090227592342011-02-11T11:25:00.000-07:002011-02-11T11:25:25.508-07:00Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act Progresses through Colorado's Senate<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday the Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span class="messageBody">SB11-040, passed 7-2 in Colorado's Health and Human Services Senate Hearing Committee and is now on to the full Senate and then to the House. </span></span>We've been monitoring this bill which requires coaches who deal with 11-18 year old athletes in Colorado schools, private sports clubs, and recreation centers to attend annual concussion recognition courses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also requires coaches to remove the player from the game, competition, or even practice if they suspect that the young athlete has sustained a concussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information on the training that the bill would require coaches to go through, see: </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://concussion.orcasinc.com/">http://concussion.orcasinc.com/</a></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The complete bill, as introduced, together with the bill’s history can be found at: </span><a href="http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2011a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/A9CE9CEE12645CAA8725780800800D80?open&file=040_01.pdf"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #8a8a8a;">http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2011a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/A9CE9CEE12645CAA8725780800800D80?open&file=040_01.pdf</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8745587134535324339.post-44518640406626360842011-02-02T14:06:00.000-07:002011-02-02T14:06:15.412-07:00ImPACT Concussion Testing for Athletes<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Super Bowl Sunday 2011 approaches, sports concussion brain injury concerns are more prevalent in the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some athletes, ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) computer software is being used to test athletes to determine if they have suffered a brain injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Athletes are first given a baseline test, which is then used as a comparison to tests given after the athlete experiences symptoms of a traumatic brain injury in sports activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The computer test asks simple questions and records response times and other factors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It measures players’ verbal and visual memory, processing speed, and reaction time to within 1/100 of a second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The test is used to help clinicians and athletic trainers determine when/if the athlete can return-to-play the sport after a concussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The test itself takes about 20 minutes to complete and measures different aspects of cognitive functioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The test is more of an objective measure of the athlete’s condition, instead of relying on the athlete’s own reporting of how he is doing or the trainer’s subjective opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This computerized testing program is already being used by teams in the National Football League (both the Packers and the Steelers are users of this software), as well as the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball teams, Major League Soccer teams, some National Basketball Association teams, Professional Automobile Racing associations, and is being used at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also in Colorado, many colleges and universities, such as CU, CSU, and DU are using the software for their athletes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>High Schools around the state are using the software too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, some clinics and hospitals, including The Children’s Hospital and Vail Valley Medical Center are using the software.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information on this testing software visit: </span><a href="http://impacttest.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://impacttest.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></div>Della Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08471127872885229521noreply@blogger.com0