TREATMENTS & CONSEQUENCES OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES

More than 1.7 million Americans suffer moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) requiring hospitalization each year. Motor vehicle collisions, accidental falls, and sports injuries are the most common causes, but assaults and negligence are other factors that Phoenix brain injury attorneys prosecute in the court of law.

Sadly, the ill effects of a traumatic brain injury can be long-lasting and grounds for future disability, and there is not much emergency staff can do to prevent the damage from occurring – even if patients are treated within a few hours of the injury.

Now the latest glimmer of hope for TBI treatment has been struck down by two new studies published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers concluded that progesterone does not help patients recovering from traumatic brain injury, as was previously suggested by early phase experimental model studies.

RESEARCH SHOWS PROGESTERONE IS NOT THE PROMISING TREATMENT

In the first study, conducted by scientists at the Emory School of Medicine, 900 patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injuries from motor vehicle crashes were administered progesterone within four hours of the crash and for a duration of 96 hours. Not only did the progesterone therapy fail to have the desired effect, but it was found to increase inflammation of the arm and leg veins. Scientists abandoned the study earlier than expected for fear of deadly blood clots.

The second study was led by researchers at the University of Antwerp and examined nearly 1,200 patients who were given a placebo or progesterone treatment for 120 hours, within 8 hours of their accidents. They found that 50.4 percent of the progesterone-taking patients had a favorable outcome; however, 50.5 percent of the placebo group also had a favorable outcome. Mortality rates were virtually identical in both groups and the safety profiles were about the same.

TBI HAS LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES

A number of alarming reports about the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury have been reported in recent months:

• Survivors of TBI may be 3 times more likely to face premature death. – JAMA Psychiatry
• Children with TBI suffer from cognitive function, IQ declines, and behavioral issues for years. – Pediatrics
• Even minor concussions are linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. – Neurology
• Veterans with TBI were 60% more likely to suffer dementia later in life. – Neurology
• TBI is linked to a degenerative disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (C.T.E.), which may manifest itself as memory loss, depression, aggressive behavior, or dementia. – Brain

Given these findings, shouldn’t those responsible for causing traumatic brain injuries in others be held responsible?

WHAT ARIZONA TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ATTORNEYS CAN DO FOR YOU

Wattel & York Arizona personal injury attorneys put more than 50 years of combined experience to work for you. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by a motor vehicle crash, on-the-job accident, domestic violence, physical assault, or slip-and-fall accident, let our investigators examine the case to determine if someone else was at fault. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, or wrongful death. Some of our clients have received settlements totaling more than $1 million!

A case evaluation is provided to residents of Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Tucson, Tempe, and Phoenix — free of charge — by calling 877-333-9545. We know nothing can undo the damage that has been done, but our dedicated attorneys hope the pursuit of justice will help you and your family move on from this catastrophic injury.

Resources:

1.New England Journal of Medicine – Very Early Administration of Progesterone for Acute Traumatic Brain Injury http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1404304

2. New England Journal of Medicine – A Clinical Trial of Progesterone for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1411090

3. JAMA Psychiatry – Suicide, Fatal Injuries, and Other Causes of Premature Mortality in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1812719

4.Pediatrics – Severe Brain Injury When Young May Have Long-Term Effects http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=153879

5. Neurology – Head trauma and in vivo measures of amyloid and neurodegeneration in a population-based study http://www.neurology.org/content/early/2013/12/26/01.wnl.0000438229.56094.54.short

Find more like this: Personal Injury , Arizona accident lawyers, motor vehicle accident lawyers, personal injury lawyer, slip and fall