Articles: brain-injuries.
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In this article, we explore the current literature on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and evaluate the barriers to studying this vulnerable population. ⋯ Research on TBI and IPV is limited by multiple factors including mistrust of the healthcare system by survivors, lack of awareness by community advocates, and insufficient funding by public entities. As such, most investigations are small population, retrospective, and qualitative. Quantitative research addressing the scope of TBI in IPV found reported rates ranging from 19 to 100% of survivors experiencing neurological injury at the hands of a violent partner. The principals of trauma-informed healthcare should guide both neurological care for survivors as well as future studies on TBI and IPV, with an emphasis on community-based participatory research.
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External lumbar drainage (ELD) of cerebrospinal fluid may help control intracranial pressure following a traumatic brain injury. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ELD in post-traumatic intracranial hypertension (IH). ⋯ ELD appears in our cohort to be a safe and effective strategy to control post-traumatic IH, with an acceptable benefit-risk ratio. Our analysis even suggests a potential outcome improvement in patients treated by ELD compared with those having no cerebrospinal fluid drainage.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2025
Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Are Associated with Physical Health Burden among Post-9/11 Women Veterans.
Background: Little research focuses on physical health outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among post-9/11 women veterans (WVs). This study examined lifetime TBI, current PTSD, and their associations with biomarkers of cardiometabolic health, sleep, pain, and functional disability among post-9/11 WVs. Methods: WVs (n = 90) from the Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders longitudinal cohort study were included in this study. ⋯ PTSD was significantly associated with lower total functioning and each of its subdomains (βs = -0.58 to 0.63; ps = <0.001 to 0.02). Lifetime TBI was significantly associated with total functioning, mobility, and life/work (βs = -0.20 to 0.30; ps = <0.01 to 0.02). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of screening for lifetime TBI and cardiovascular disease for WVs and support transdiagnostic treatment approaches targeting physical health outcomes.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jan 2025
Intravenous Immunomodulatory Nanoparticles Prevent Secondary Damage after Traumatic Brain Injury.
After traumatic brain injury (TBI), monocyte/macrophage infiltration is a key early step in the development of an inflammatory cascade that leads to substantial secondary damage. Intravenous (IV) immunomodulatory nanoparticle (IMP) administration after TBI limits inflammatory cell infiltration and reduces both behavioral decline and lesion size without any noticeable toxicity. Here we show that there is a dose-response relationship between the amount of IMP administered and tissue damage which plateaus at a well-tolerated dose. ⋯ Thus, IMP treatment within 6 h after TBI limits inflammatory responses and gliosis, improves anatomical and behavioral outcomes and prevents detrimental changes in gene expression in both neural and non-neural cellular elements of the brain. IMPs are non-toxic and are made of an FDA-approved material that is stable at room temperature. They could easily be given IV immediately after TBI in the field by emergency medical technicians or in the emergency room to prevent secondary damage, thereby improving outcomes.
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Cranioencephalic traumatism (CET) is a serious public health problem worldwide. Advances in treatment have reduced mortality, increasing the demand for rehabilitation. The objective was to describe the demographic characteristics and functional outcomes in adult patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) treated in a rehabilitation center. ⋯ In Argentina, patients admitted to rehabilitation for TBI are predominantly young men, the main cause being car accidents. The implementation of an early and intensive rehabilitation program has shown significant improvements in functional outcomes. At discharge, most patients required home supervision and assistance in daily activities.