TULSA, Okla. – More than 2 million Americans are expected to suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, and researchers are studying whether a commonly available blood product could help limit brain damage after trauma.
Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. It can affect memory, speech, mood and balance, often with long-lasting or permanent consequences.
How does brain damage progress after an injury?
Doctors say brain damage from a traumatic brain injury often occurs in two stages. The first is the immediate injury caused by a fall, crash or blow to the head. The second stage involves ongoing damage to brain cells that can continue for hours or even days after the initial injury.
During that time, swelling and inflammation can worsen outcomes and limit recovery.
Why treatment options are limited
Amelia Maga, a trauma surgeon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, says current medical care can only support the body while the brain attempts to heal itself…