New Processes Could Grow Neurons For Brain Injury Victims

Posted in Our Blog,Traumatic Brain Injuries on December 27, 2013

Good news for victims who have suffered brain injury because of traumatic accidents: New research indicates that scientists may have developed technology that will allow them to regenerate functional neurons, providing treatment for not only TBI, but also for those with Alzheimer’s and associated conditions. The treatments would be a boon for Louisiana residents who have suffered a brain injury because of serious head injury caused by accidents or the negligence of others.

Specialists report that the brain can suffer neuron death when the brain is affected by injury or disease. However, cells known as the glial cells increase in number and branch out. These reactive cells build a healthy defense system that will prevent bacteria and toxins from entering into healthy brain tissues. However, growth of future healthy neurons is also limited by the scars that results from the growth of those former cells. When researchers discovered that those cells were to blame, they began looking at ways to turn scar tissue back into normal neural tissue.

Now, researchers on the East Coast have determined that the scarring cells can be converted into functional neurons using electrophysiological processes. Not only can the process grow new neurons, but it can also facilitate the transmission of electric messages between neural cells. So far, the experiments have only been performed in mice; however, researchers believe they do have real potential of replacing functional neurons in those with traumatic brain injury or Alzheimer’s disease.

Victims of accidents because of traumatic brain injury deserve financial compensation so they can afford the newest and best medical treatments. In many cases, these medical treatments can be extraordinarily expensive. To afford these costly procedures, victims may seek financial compensation from the negligent party who cause their injuries. Compensatory damages associated with personal injury cases may be allotted toward medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering, emotional distress and a variety of other civil claims.

Source: Penn State News, “Neuron regeneration may help sufferers of brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease” No author given, Dec. 19, 2013