'Undeployables' sent to the Afghan front Nov 10, 2009
Remarkably, that sometimes-ignored 90-day hold period for military personnel on psychotropic medications does not always apply to soldiers who are diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) of a sort commonly caused by roadside bombs. According to an Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center analysis, reported in the Denver Post in August 2008, more than "43,000 service members - two-thirds of them in the army or army reserve - were classified as non-deployable for medical reasons three months... (Asia Times Online)
Therapists deployed to war zone to fight stress disorders Nov 9, 2009
He was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and now shows signs of depression. "I get frustrated very easily," he says. (USA Today)
'This is not the way she was going to go' Nov 8, 2009
But at Fort Hood], this is not the way she was going to go," he said, choking up. His wife's military career spanned 25 years in active duty and Army reserves. A certified psychiatric nurse practitioner originally from Pittsburgh and whose relatives still live in area, she had undergone training in California in preparation for her mission and was due for more training at Fort Hood. Mr. Warman and his wife were both graduates of the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a master's degree in... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Fort Hood bloodbath could have been worse Nov 7, 2009
A loud, popping noise. The sudden, urgent shout of Gun. (Somerset Daily American, PA)
But for heroes, bloodbath could have been worse... Nov 7, 2009
Appleby, who was born in Jamaica and grew up in New York City, sustained a traumatic brain injury and has post-traumatic stress disorder from a roadside bomb blast during a tour in Iraq. His appointment canceled, Appleby found himself pulling the dead and wounded from ambulances. (The Drudge Report)
NHLBI stops enrollment in study on resuscitation methods for cardiac arrest Nov 7, 2009
Patients in the study were either suffering from shock due to significant blood loss or had experienced a traumatic brain injury. In both types of patients, hypertonic saline solution did not improve outcomes over the use of a standard saline solution. (EurekAlert!)
Nidal Malik Hasan case: Are Army psychiatrists overwhelmed? Nov 7, 2009
As the military begins its eighth year of the war on terror, much of the focus has been on the inability to fully support the growing number of troops diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. But the events at Fort Hood cast the issue even wider. (Christian Science Monitor)
Paul Davis: Veterans have earned better care than this Nov 7, 2009
Traumatic brain injury. Veterans face a higher rate of suicide. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
NATIONAL GUARD - FY 2010 Bill Includes Guard Nov 6, 2009
The act requires any servicemember diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury to receive a medical examination before separation. The act also requires the secretary of defense to implement a plan to improve mental health care access for families of Guard and Reserve members deployed overseas. (DOD DefenseLINK)
CopBlog: Portsmouth N.H. Police Blog Nov 6, 2009
THANK YOU PPD FOR THEIR RESPECTFUL MANNER AND FOR KEEPING OUR STREETS SAFE. THE OFFICER WHO WORKED WITH ME WAS VERY RESPECTFUL. I HAVE MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND MY NEUROLOGIST WARNED ME 13 YEARS AGO TO RESPECTFULLY DECLINE FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS AS MY BALANCE IS BAD ENOUGH THAT I WOULDN T PASS. WHEN I EXPLAINED, SHE (PPD) WAS VERY NICE AND JUST ASKED IF I DRANK TONIGHT. Wed, Aug 12, 2009 8:28 PM 19. INTERESTING LOCATION FOR THE CHECKPOINT AND MR. HOWE IS A FABULOUS COMMISSIONER. Wed, Aug 12,... (Seacoast New Hampshire)
News in brief Nov 4, 2009
Rhonda is a Veteran's Advocate and holds speaking engagements on veteran issues including reintegration, post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Rhonda works at the state and federal levels on changes for veterans. (Forest City Summit, IO)
Stidd's family members' lives 'in neutral' Nov 3, 2009
The incident left him with a traumatic brain injury, taking away his voice and confining him to a wheelchair. Caregivers help his parents feed and dress him. (Daily Collegian, PA)
First responders conference set for Cheyenne Nov 2, 2009
Other programs and workshops will deal with suicide factors, traumatic brain injury, adjustment to family and employment of returning military personnel, and threats of wildfire in a post-beetle kill forest. A brochure and registration form for the conference are available at http:www. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Ionia courts establish operation VCTRI Oct 31, 2009
VCTRI will be the first treatment court in Michigan geared to specifically meet the needs of servicepersons and veterans who find themselves in court as a result of suffering from post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI), Voet said. We've had them before in the court system, and I've never felt that we've adequately addressed their needs. (Ionia Sentinel-Standard, MI)
Vet takes fight to White House Oct 30, 2009
"There was no voice for the veterans movement. There weren't folks talking about the issues that impacted us like traumatic brain injury, education issues, what was going on in places like Walter Reed [military hospital]. So there was a real disconnect. And when I got together with other veterans, I saw that they felt the same way.". Thursday's signing ceremony at the White House was a high point for Rieckhoff, but the IAVA wants to address other issues, including mental health care, government... (CNN)
Lecturer cancels class, cites H1N1 diagnosis in e-mail Oct 29, 2009
In addition to the flu clinic, event organizers held a blood drive, and outside the ballroom, tables were set up dealing with important health issues, including STDs, breast cancer, and traumatic brain injury. However, many students said they came for the flu clinic. (Northeastern News, MA)
NFL to aid ex-players who reported mental problems Oct 28, 2009
Smith promised that the union's new concussion and traumatic brain injury committee will act as a "superconductor to commission, evaluate, follow and disseminate ongoing research.". 1. (Albany Times Union)
Protect the head Oct 28, 2009
BrainMinders Buddies a project for Pilot International focused on traumatic brain injury and brain disorder will be on hand to educate children about the importance of protecting their brains while playing outside. For information, call 432-552-1107. (Odessa American, TX)
Art therapy: healing the mind, body and soul Oct 27, 2009
Tim Mayer, founder of Artists for the Humanities, an organization that works to promote the return and recovery of combat veterans from all branches of the United States armed forces, agrees: "We recently opened an art studio to help veterans and their families learn about art as a way to improve the functional capabilities of those with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.". Elizabeth Cockey, art therapist and author, reinforces art therapy's ability to help senior citizens... (Lake City Reporter, FL)
Helmets Can Save Lives in Winter Sports Oct 27, 2009
The authors noted that traumatic brain injury accounts for 50 to 88 percent of skiing and snowboarding fatalities. They expressed hope that their findings would strengthen the case for the use of helmets in these winter sports. (MEDLINEplus)
Oxygen beefs up board of directors Oct 27, 2009
The company recently began clinical trials on its first product, Oxycyte, which treats traumatic brain injury. "I'm very pleased that these two gentlemen have agreed to join our board," said Chris Stern, Oxygen s chairman and CEO, in a news release. (Triangle Business Journal)
Master regulator found for regenerating nerve fibers in live animals Oct 26, 2009
Their findings, published online by Nature Neuroscience on October 25, suggest Mst3b or agents that stimulate it as a possible means of treating stroke, spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injury. Normally, neurons in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) cannot regenerate injured nerve fibers, limiting people's ability to recover from brain or spinal cord injuries. (EurekAlert!)
Click to watch: Epilepsy: A Fight For The Cure Oct 24, 2009
In addition, there is a new population at increased risk of developing epilepsy: veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who have suffered serious traumatic brain injury. Eleven years ago, Susan Axelrod helped found CURE, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for epilepsy and generating funds for research into new treatments and a greater understanding that could one day lead to a cure. (CBS News -- 60 minutes)
Benny Castro is coming home Oct 24, 2009
Benny suffered a traumatic brain injury and a broken tail bone. He spent a month at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale before transferring to Gillette's Children's Specialty Healthcare hospital in St. Paul, where he's been working on speech and physical therapy. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
Tailoring Physical Therapy Can Restore More Functions After Neurological Injury Oct 23, 2009
22, 2009) New research suggests a tailored approach to physical therapy after a neurological injury such as a stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury could help restore a wider variety of functions ... 8, 2008) Traumatic brain injury is common amongst homeless people and is associated with poorer health, found a study of more than 900 homeless men and women in. (Science Daily)
Researchers Optimizing Progesterone For Brain Injury Treatment Oct 22, 2009
21, 2009) As doctors begin to test progesterone for traumatic brain injury at sites across the country, researchers are looking ahead to optimizing the hormone's effectiveness ... A multisite phase III clinical trial called ProTECT III will begin to evaluate progesterone's effectiveness for treating traumatic brain injury early next year ... According to the results, two compounds similar to progesterone showed an equivalent ability to reduce brain swelling in an animal model of traumatic brain... (Science Daily)
More Research Needed On Blast Induced Traumatic Brain Injury And Vestibular Pathology Oct 21, 2009
8, 2008) Traumatic brain injury is common amongst homeless people and is associated with poorer health, found a study of more than 900 homeless men and women in. (Jan. (Science Daily)
Coping with A NEW NORMAL (7) Oct 21, 2009
Couple forms support group after own struggle with traumatic brain injury ... It's called traumatic brain injury, or TBI, a condition that can cause a wide range of functional changes affecting thinking, language, emotions and sensation. (St. Joseph Herald-Pallidium, MI)
Park lights show could become ‘spectacular' Oct 18, 2009
St. Camillus, a nonprofit facility that specializes in inpatient services for traumatic brain injury, has proposed bringing a drive-through light show to Emerson Park in an effort to raise awareness of the organization in the county, said St. Camillus spokeswoman Michelle Rivoli at Tuesday's meeting. The light show would be done by Midwest Display, a light and sound company that handles Hollywood light displays and has done scenes for Jingle All the Way and the remake of Miracle on 34th Street. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Sight Unseen: People Blinded by Brain Damage Can Respond to Emotive Expressions Oct 15, 2009
Tamietto and his colleagues studied two adult patients whose visual cortices had been damaged one because of surgical removal at age 33, the other by a traumatic brain injury at age seven. As a result, each was blind in either the right or left side of the. (Scientific American)
NH offering training on mental health problems Oct 14, 2009
The training for mental health professionals at Tuesday's conference in Nashua is focusing on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. Featured speakers included Dr. Matthew Friedman, director of the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Dr. Thomas McAllister, psychiatry professor at Dartmouth Medical School. (Concord Monitor)
Kelso man arrested after baseball bat assault Oct 14, 2009
Financial Cancer wrote on Oct 12, 2009 7:59 PM:" I pray this young man will recover from his traumatic brain injury. Mr. Child's better be praying too! ". kitten wrote on Oct 13, 2009 6:21 AM:" Re Duh I know a lot of people who have been drunker than skunks and would never think of picking up an object and beating someone with it. It is just like blaming meth for people's choices to victimize others. It is in their character to do so or they wouldn't do it! NO excuses. People need to start being... (Longview Daily News, WA)
Battlefield injuries lead to advances Oct 11, 2009
The principal focus of the military s research has been on so-called mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion - estimated to account for 4 in 5 of the brain injuries that affect veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. And although veterans may have additional challenges, including amputated limbs and post-traumatic stress disorder, their brain injuries have much in common with those sustained by civilian victims. (Boston Globe)
Frazier gift to create endowed chair at U of L, Frazier Rehab Oct 10, 2009
Our goal is to continue developing nationally recognized rehab programs at Frazier Rehab in spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, movement disorders and pediatrics in collaboration with UofL. Mr. Frazier s immensely generous gift provides the resources to take a bold step ahead, and for that we are so very grateful to him. Most Read Stories. (Louisville Business First, KY)
Cambridge-based Guidance Center merges with Dedham agency Oct 8, 2009
Riverside will continue to offer mental health, trauma, substance abuse, developmental and traumatic brain injury services to people of all ages in eastern and central Massachusetts. We are excited about the powerful synergies between our agencies and the major impact we will have on the well being of children and families in more than 60 communities, said Ms. Ayers. (Cambridge Chronicle, MA)
Keeping Children Safe: Rethinking Design Oct 7, 2009
(May 6, 2005) The trial showed that cooling has positive affects on children who suffered traumatic brain injury. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh neurosurgeon P. David Adelson, MD, and researchers determined. (Science Daily)
Framingham's Daniel Lussier was 'an incredible young man' Oct 6, 2009
After his younger brother Andrew suffered a traumatic brain injury nearly seven years ago, Lussier stayed at the hospital with him every night to help him feel comfortable and to take care of him. "He would not leave him," said Janet Lussier. (Framingham TAB, MA)
New Book Release: Realistic Hope - Aspirations for Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury by Mark Palmer Oct 6, 2009
Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) October 6, 2009 -- A new book has just been released that guides readers through the painful yet hopeful journey of recovering from severe traumatic brain injury. In 'Realistic Hope - Aspirations for Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury,' author Mark Palmer offers sober insights through every critical step following traumatic brain injury and gives helpful advice for how to practically handle difficult situations ... Despite the title, this book not only addresses... (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Full Story » Oct 6, 2009
New Book Release: Realistic Hope - Aspirations for Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury by Mark Palmer - Yahoo ... New Book Release: Realistic Hope - Aspirations for Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury by Mark Palmer ... Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) October 6, 2009 -- A new book has just been released that guides readers through the painful yet hopeful journey of recovering from severe traumatic brain injury. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
More colleges develop classes on how to treat war veterans Oct 5, 2009
One in three Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (), depression, a mild traumatic brain injury or some combination of all three, according to a RAND Corp. study released last year. The level of combat has declined in Iraq, but it's reaching record levels in Afghanistan, where 65,000 U.S. servicemembers are in combat. (USA Today -- News)
Most key Vikings expected to play Oct 5, 2009
The committee, called the NFLPA Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, will address such topics as diagnosis, treatment and prevention of concussions among active players, as well as the long-term cumulative effects of repeated traumatic brain injuries. The committee will be chaired by Cardinals wide receiver and NFLPA medical director Thomas Mayer. (VikingUpdate.com)
New football helmet technology aids in concussion reduction Oct 5, 2009
One source is , where parents can find information that explains the risks of traumatic brain injury, as well as offers strategies to reduce the risk of concussions. Band together with your child's school and other parents to educate them and get them involved in the program. (Lake City Reporter, FL)
What is the greatest game? The answer is a no-brainer Oct 3, 2009
In medical parlance, it is called mild traumatic brain injury. The research, funded not by union or league associations, but by the US National Institutes of Health, also found players whose brains had been rattled once were twice as likely to suffer another concussion. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Injured Soldier To Ride In Army Ten Miler Oct 3, 2009
On July 7, 2007, an Iraqi soldier mistook him for an insurgent and shot him in the head and left him with a traumatic brain injury. The bullet destroyed his language center. (W-USA News, DC)
We Can’t Afford to Fall Down on Falls Oct 3, 2009
But one out of three older adults in America falls every year and for many the experience is life-changing, causing hip fracture, traumatic brain injury, or early nursing home admission. In 2005, falls killed nearly 16,000 older adults. (Roll Call)
NFL Notebook: Three players fined for transgressions Oct 3, 2009
The NFLPA's concussion and traumatic brain injury committee will address diagnosis, treatment and prevention of concussions and brain injuries in active players; and the long-term cumulative effects of isolated or repetitive traumatic brain injuries in NFL players as patients. Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Cards' Morey to chair NFLPA trauma committee Oct 3, 2009
The NFLPA's concussion and traumatic brain injury committee will address diagnosis, treatment and prevention of concussions and brain injuries in active players; and the long-term cumulative effects of isolated or repetitive traumatic brain injuries in NFL players as patients. wide receiver will chair the committee with union medical director Dr. Thom Mayer. (ESPN -- Football)
Higher Survival Rate Among Intoxicated Trauma Patients Oct 2, 2009
1, 2009) Trauma patients who were intoxicated before their injuries were more likely to survive than trauma patients who suffered similar injuries but were sober at the time, according to a study published in the October edition of the American Surgeon that was conducted by researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed). The researchers surveyed 7,985 trauma patients of similar age and with similar injuries to determine if the consumption... (Science Daily)
Man gets 50 years in prison for severe beating Oct 2, 2009
Jackie Ketchum earlier told Judge Gregory Todd that her husband struggles daily with numerous disabilities from a traumatic brain injury. Schied pleaded guilty in June to aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence. (Montana Standard, MT)
Get Your Head Out of the Game Oct 1, 2009
Dr. Ira Casson, co-chair of the NFL's Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, told the Times, "What I take from this report is there's a need for further studies to see whether or not this finding is going to pan out.". Along with backward thinking, bravado surely contributes to the desire of players like Turley to play through their symptoms. (Slate)
Revealed: the hidden toll of brain injuries in contact sports Oct 1, 2009
MILD traumatic brain injury is emerging as a major public health issue for all high-contact sports in Australia, with many of the hundreds of concussions each week going undiagnosed and untreated. Nearly 10 per cent of foot 00004000 ballers, perhaps more in professional ranks, are knocked out or left dazed and confused at least once every season, an Australian study has found. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Alcohol Might Lower Death Rates in Brain Injury Patients Sep 30, 2009
"Instead of using an administrative database, we could do a number of clinical trials for traumatic brain injury collecting ethanol data as part of the studies," he said. "Those studies would have more detail and could give a better sense of whether ethanol plays a positive or negative role.". (MEDLINEplus)
Project promotes bicyclists rights Sep 30, 2009
Helmets are proven to be 85-88 percent effective in preventing traumatic brain injury, the primary cause of death and disabling injuries resulting from cycling crashes. 2. (Gamecock Online, SC)
Driscoll military bill receives hearing Sep 30, 2009
Since Sept. 11, 2001, an estimated 150,000 soldiers have been diagnosed with some level of traumatic brain injury, primarily from exposure to explosive blasts. Many sustained injuries go untreated due to lack of detection, producing unforeseen negative consequences either while still in service or back in civilian life. (Holbrook Sun, MA)
NFL study finds 19x increase in memory problems among ex-pro football players. Sep 30, 2009
Concussions are a major type of traumatic brain injury. Crashes involving motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians are the primary cause of injury, but guns are the leading cause of death by traumatic brain injury. (Why Files)
Head injuries: best while drunk Sep 26, 2009
"But the mechanisms of action involving the neurobiology of traumatic brain injury have different timeframes and regional profiles which would make ethanol therapy difficult to manage correctly.". Hovda also points out that brain injuries can be very diverse, so ethanol might work for some but not others. (Harper's Magazine)
Alcohol may protect brain in accident Sep 26, 2009
"Giving patients [alcohol] after a traumatic brain injury is much different than having it on board during the traumatic brain injury," Hovda says. The protective effect may only work when the injury occurs or may work later. (CNN)
Triumph Award recognizes rehab patient Sep 25, 2009
In 2002, Mr. Hensley, then 19, was in a single-car wreck in Evans that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, collapsed lungs, liver damage and a broken rib. "I had a little sports car and I was speeding down the road under the influence of about everything possible," he said. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Fears rise over trauma to NFL players brains Sep 24, 2009
Yet Omalus work has been repeatedly dismissed or explained away by doctors for the NFLs Mild Traumatic Brain Injury committee, Laskas writes. There are times I wish I never looked at Mike Websters brain, Omalu says. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Beer for Brain Injury? Sep 24, 2009
People who sustain a traumatic brain injury from a car crash or other mishap are more apt to survive if they had been drinking at the time of the injury, according to a study published Monday ... "However, of those patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury who survive their initial insult, those with alcohol in their system seem to have a slight survival advantage compared to those without alcohol in their system," Salim noted. (Newsmax)
Alcohol In Bloodstream Associated With Lower Risk Of Death From Head Injury Sep 23, 2009
"Despite these associations between alcohol and trauma, very little is known regarding the pathophysiologic implications of ethanol on traumatic brain injury," the authors write ... "Several traumatic brain injury animal studies demonstrated improved mortality, reduced cognitive impairments, decreased contusion volume and improved motor performance with the preinjury administration of low doses of ethanol compared with placebo," they write ... "It is important to note that we examined... (Science Daily)
Clinic For Disabled Vets To Be Held In County Sep 22, 2009
Jason McKean of the 82nd Airborne was badly injured by an IED in Iraq, and he suffered a torn Achilles tendon, a knee injury, and a traumatic brain injury. "This week means a lot," McKean said. (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
Red Sox are humbled into action to help wounded soldiers Sep 22, 2009
Her son was in his room upstairs, heartsick with depression from a traumatic brain injury he sustained in Iraq. He loved the Red Sox, and Varitek was his favorite player, but he couldn t leave his room. (Boston Globe)
'Booze therapy' for brain injury Sep 22, 2009
The finding of reduced mortality in traumatic brain injury patients with pre-injury ethanol raises the intriguing possibility that administering ethanol to patients with brain injuries may improve outcome ... Nonetheless, the researchers said: "The finding of reduced mortality in traumatic brain injury patients with pre-injury ethanol raises the intriguing possibility that administering ethanol to patients with brain injuries may improve outcome. Despite the intriguing findings the message must... (BBC News -- Health)
Is Texas Changing Its Mind About the Death Penalty? Sep 21, 2009
"Cop killers, baby killers are poster children for the death penalty," Hirschorn says, "and without the option of LWOP you could guarantee the death penalty." In the Houston cop killing case, the lawyers for defendant Juan Quintero initially attempted an insanity defense, citing a traumatic brain injury. Though the jurors rejected it and found Quintero guilty, Mark Bennett, a Houston defense lawyer argued on his blog "Defendingpeople.com" that the head injury testimony lingered in the minds of... (Time.com)
