Hey All,

I came across this and I thought I would share this with you. Looks very promising, and the great news is that it may only be 3 years away from clinical trials.

By John von Radowitz

Thursday September 03 2009

An injectable "biogel" that may help car crash victims recover from brain injuries could be tested on patients in three years.

The material, which contains a cocktail of synthetic and natural chemicals, spurs the growth of neural stem cells, which repair damaged nerves.

After promising results from studies on rats, scientists in America say the treatment could be ready for patient trials in as little as three years.

It is hoped the biogel could also be used to treat wounded soldiers with head injuries.

*edit*

- John von Radowitz
more-
http://www.herald.ie/world-news/stem...s-1877230.html

[Hockey]

This really is exciting. I'm sorry that it took so many wounded servicepeople to spur research into TBI. However, I am glad to see that the work is moving from coping strategies to genuine efforts at structural repair.

Yeah, it is comforting to know that legitimate help for us is around the corner. I can get by with accommodations and doing lots of therapy, but why would i want to if I can simply repair my brain. Seems like a "no brainer" to me (sorry, I couldn't help myself).

Actually, my hope is that an organization, such as the NFL, sees the potential in therapies like this and begins to contribute funding to it. This may be a bit far fetched, but it seems to me that the NFL would want guys like Troy Aikmen and Steve Young, who no doubt brought in loads of money for the league and their respective franchises, to not have to retire early because of too many head injuries. But, that is just me.

Originally Posted by Hockey

This really is exciting. I'm sorry that it took so many wounded servicepeople to spur research into TBI. However, I am glad to see that the work is moving from coping strategies to genuine efforts at structural repair.

[Hockey]

Looking to professional sports associations to help fund brain injury reseach is a great idea that your should really suggest to the scientists involved. How many players have seen their careers end too soon and/or the quality of their post retirement lives seriously eroded by TBIs. Heck, many people think that head injuries contribute to the high levels of domestic violence among NFL and NHL players.

A cure for headinjuries would also allow contact sports to grow as parents would be less reluctant to let their children participate.

Good thinking!

[Mark in Idaho]

The NFL and NHL are more concerned with getting players back onto the field or ice as quickly as possible. Their concern is that the owners are paying good money for players who suit the bench. Even the NCAA does not take a long term view of head injury.

For example, The NFL has established over 80G's as the threshold of impact forces to the brain before they consider a player sidelined. They claim that since most impact forces are for micro-seconds, that they do not justify concern for the player's brain health.

The NFL Players Association led by Gene Upshaw has been at odds with disabled players because those with head injuries are getting overlooked by the association for disability issues.

Try to get a soccer coach to acknowledge that heading the ball can cause long term damage. They will not. But the science says it does and has been saying this for decades.

There is a Congressman from Massachusetts (Congressmen Ed Markey (MA-7) and Bill Pascrell (NJ-8)) that has been fighting for the brain injured for years but has been been stymied by the insurance industry and others who do not want to have to pay out for brain injuries. His focus has been brain injuries from roller coasters. The BIAA has testified at the Blue Ribbon Panel Hearings but it appears that the threshold for what a brain injury is has been set too high.

There is a Bill before Congress right now. There is a good article at http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/11702386.html

[Hockey]

Yeah Mark, you're right, brain injured athletes get totally screwed. That attitude extends all the way down to college level. Team doctors often downplay the seriousness of brain injuries to get varsity players back on the field. (I see you also responded to newbie member Nick the soccer player. I wonder if he isn't a case in point.) If the player isn't willing to just "shake it off and suck it up," they take away his/her scholarship.

I also agree that what counts as a brain injury is much too high. In Canada, you have to be in the bottom 2% of perfomance on a neuro-psych to qualify as "disabled." Bottom 2%? In practical terms, if you're not vegitative, you're good to go.

[Mark in Idaho]

Wow,

I am in the bottom 5% for visual memory and 12% for auditory memory and 10% for processing speed. I guess the Canadians would consider me a genius or such.

I had to fight for SSDI here in the States. It took three years to get approved. I would love to work if I could do it without cutting off a finger (done that) or putting a nail through my hand (done that) or driving onto the sidewalk on the way to a job (done that).

But, if you look at me walk down the street, you would say that there is nothing wrong with me. It is all in my head as the neuro-psych said.