LIVERMORE -- Lawrence Livermore Lab scientists will play a key role in creating a device to restore memory function for those with traumatic brain injuries, Department of Defense officials said Tuesday. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency selected the lab's Neural Technology group for an award of up to $2.5 million to help develop a prosthetic device embedded in the brain that would bridge gaps in the brain's memory functions. It would be for service members, veterans and all those with traumatic brain injuries. Researchers said it would sense memory deficits, encode neural signals and bridge gaps in the damaged brain, allowing the continued formation of new memories and recollection of old ones. "Currently, there is no effective treatment for memory loss resulting from conditions like (traumatic brain injury)," said the lab's project leader, Sat Pannu, director of the Center for Bioengineering. "This is a tremendous opportunity from DARPA to leverage Lawrence Livermore's advanced capabilities to develop cutting-edge medical devices that will change the health care landscape." The funding comes from DARPA's Restoring Active Memory (RAM) program, launched in 2013 in support of President Obama's Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative. The four-year RAM project is headed by … Continue reading →

LIVERMORE -- Lawrence Livermore Lab scientists will play a key role in creating a device to restore memory function for those with traumatic brain injuries, Department of Defense officials said Tuesday. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency selected the lab's Neural Technology group for an award of up to $2.5 million to help develop a prosthetic device embedded in the brain that would bridge gaps in the brain's memory functions. It would be for service members, veterans and all those with traumatic brain injuries. Researchers said it would sense memory deficits, encode neural signals and bridge gaps in the damaged brain, allowing the continued formation of new memories and recollection of old ones. "Currently, there is no effective treatment for memory loss resulting from conditions like (traumatic brain injury)," said the lab's project leader, Sat Pannu, director of the Center for Bioengineering. "This is a tremendous opportunity from DARPA to leverage Lawrence Livermore's advanced capabilities to develop cutting-edge medical devices that will change the health care landscape." The funding comes from DARPA's Restoring Active Memory (RAM) program, launched in 2013 in support of President Obama's Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative. The four-year RAM project is headed by … Continue reading →

Quick Facts: Harborview Medical Center wants to test a drug on unconscious patients without their consent, according to the Seattle times. The experimental treatment would be used on about 100 victims who are taken to the hospital with traumatic brain injuries. These kinds of human studies are allowed under federal law only if the community is well informed ahead of time. The study could start this fall or winter but still needs final approval and that depends on how well community outreach on the topic goes. The Seattle Times reports that Harborview is among 10 hospitals wanting to take part in the no-consent trial involving the Food and Drug Administration-approved drug, tranexamic acid. It aims at preventing bleeding in the brain, specifically in people with traumatic brain injuries. Originally posted here: Harborview to test drug on unconscious patients … Continue reading →

CBS Minnesota (con't) Affordable Care Act Updates: CBSMinnesota.com/ACA Health News & Information: CBSMinnesota.com/Health MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) You may be surprised to know whats the number one cause of death in people younger than 40. Its traumatic brain injury, and it can be caused by a car accident, a fall or a hit to the head. But now a Minnesota hospital is trying out a new tool that could save lives. Tranexamic Acid, or TXA, is already being used by the Department of Defense to treat some of the bloodiest injuries on the battlefield. The FDA-approved medication controls bleeding in the body. Now Regions Hospital wants to see if it can also stop bleeding in the brain. As a Level One Trauma Center, we see a lot of patients who suffer head injuries, said Dr. Aaron Burnett. Follow this link: New Brain Injury Medication To Be Tested In Minn. … Continue reading →