News

Perth brain injury rehabilitation centre assessed

Saturday, 09 February 2013 19:29

A PERTH-based rehabilitation program for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) has not only enabled patents to re-learn lost physical and cognitive abilities, but has also reduced long-term costs of patient care.

An independent evaluation of the economic and social costs versus clinical benefits of the Oats Street’s ABI rehabilitation approach was welcomed at the Ninth World Congress on Brain Injury 2012 in Edinburgh.  

Read the full story on the Science Network Western Australia website.

Chemical reaction keeps stroke-damaged brain from repairing itself

Friday, 08 February 2013 20:47

Nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule produced in the brain, can damage neurons. When the brain produces too much nitric oxide, it contributes to the severity and progression of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute recently discovered that nitric oxide not only damages neurons, it also shuts down the brain's repair mechanisms. Their study was published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of February 4.

Find out more about this research at the EurekAlert! website.

Dementia and brain injury: Revolutions with Jon Faine

Friday, 08 February 2013 20:41

Whether the issue is dementia, an aquired brain injury or simply maintaining a healthy and active mind, scientists are finding there are simple things people can do to help themselves.

Epworth Hospital's Medical Director of Rehabilitation, Professor John Olver joins Jon Faine to discuss the brain on 774 ABC Melbourne Mornings.

Listen to or download the program at 774 ABC Melbourne Mornings.

Veterans With Mild TBI Have Brain Abnormalities

Friday, 08 February 2013 20:36

A recent study by psychiatrists from the Iowa City VA Medical Center and University of Iowa Health Care finds that soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mild TBI have measurable abnormalities in the white matter of their brains when compared to returning veterans who have not experienced TBI. These abnormalities appear to be related to the severity of the injury and are related to cognitive deficits. The findings were published online in December in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Read the full story at the ScienceDaily website.

Concussion-Related Abnormal Brain Proteins in Retired NFL Players

Monday, 04 February 2013 14:41

For the first time, UCLA researchers have used a brain-imaging tool to identify the abnormal tau proteins associated with this type of repetitive injury in five retired National Football League players who are still living. Previously, confirmation of the presence of this protein, which is also associated with Alzheimer's disease, could only be established by an autopsy.

Read the full story on the ScienceDaily website.