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Study finds molecule plays important role in brain injuries

On Behalf of | Oct 17, 2017 | Brain Injury |

West Virginia readers may be interested to learn that scientists have made a breakthrough in their understanding of the way an important molecule behaves during common brain injuries. The research was conducted in North Carolina.

For the study, researchers set out to understand what happens to axons when someone suffers a brain injury. Axons are fragile, spindly strings that carry messages between neurons in the brain. The study found that they can become highly stressed during brain injuries, which often causes them to break or degenerate. Once an axon is damaged, it leaves neurons with limited ability to communicate with other neurons. In response, neurons become more excitable and send signals down damaged axons in an attempt to rebuild connections to other neurons.

Unfortunately, hyperactive neurons can cause brain injury patients to experience pain, agitation and muscle spasms. The researchers figured out that certain gene activities cause neurons to become hyperactive and blocked them to see what would happen. They found that when they blocked the neuron’s gene activities, the neurons closely resembled uninjured neurons. They hope that their discovery will lead to better therapies for brain injury patients in the future.

Brain injury victims can suffer a lifetime of serious health issues that require long-term medical care. If the brain injury was caused by the negligence of another party, it may be advisable to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for the accident. A successful lawsuit could help a victim obtain financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other related damages.

Source: RD Mag, “Key Molecule Sheds Light on Common Brain Injuries“, Kenny Walter, Oct. 11, 2017