Research out of the University of Melourne has discovered proteins that act to protect the brain after it has been injured. Dr. Nicole Jones's research team discovered several proteins that increase following oxygen deprivation to the brain. "I found that mild, non-damaging hypoxia actually protected the brain against a subsequent injury by activating certain proteins," Dr Jones said.

The proteins have the potential to prevent further brain damage and to help repair the brain damage already caused by traumatic brain injury. Hypoxia is the cause of brain damage following injury to the brain. "In an experiment in rats, mild hypoxia followed by a major stroke resulted in less brain damage than if the rat experienced just a major stroke -- all because these protective proteins were increased by the first non-damaging exposure to hypoxia," said Dr. Jones.

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Study Finds New Contributor to Brain Damage

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A review of data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database has shown that Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a substantial contributor to the health resource burden in the U.S. The study, as published in the August issue of Pediatrics, cites TBI as being one of the top ten most costly inpatient diagnoses for children.

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“Based on our research, pediatric TBI patients accrue more than $1 billion in total hospital charges annually,” said CIRP Director Gary Smith, MD, DrPH, the senior author of the study and a faculty member of The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Medicine. “Injury costs for children are often greater than those for adults because they include acute treatment, long-term rehabilitation and loss of productivity for the parent or guardian. TBIs resulting from unintentional trauma constitute the primary cause of death among U.S. youth and are often the most serious consequences of nonfatal injuries.” Traumatic Brain Injury in children often is associated with a fall, a vehicle crash, an assault, or from shaking a baby.

Related Links:
Journal of the American Medical Association
Columbus Children's Hospital

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