People in New Mexico that have suffered a brain injury may be interested to learn about recent research that shows a new experimental medicine may help reverse some brain damage by restoring damaged structures. The ongoing research is being funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Football League Players Association and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Researchers looked at a type of protein present in the brains of brain-injured people called tau. While normal tau is important for neurological function, tau in the brains of people who have suffered repetitive head trauma is misshapen and fibrous, as it also is in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
In the study, researchers used mice that had suffered severe traumatic brain injuries. The researchers gave them an experimental drug that is designed to bind to misshapen tau but not to normal tau. When the mice were given the drug, the misshapen tau dissolved and normal brain function was restored. The advance holds promise for people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, as the research may lead to the development of a new medication that could be given to people in an attempt to prevent permanent brain damage.
Traumatic brain injuries sometimes occur when people fall and suffer a blow to their head. When one is caused by a fall in a hospital due to a lack of proper restraints or another hazard, the victim want to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling these types of matters. Legal counsel may recommend the filing of a lawsuit against the facility and other responsible parties seeking compensation for medical expenses and other damages that have been incurred.