PHILADELPHIA Even the mildest form of a traumatic brain injury, better known as a concussion, can deal permanent, irreparable damage. Now, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania is using mathematical modeling to better understand the mechanisms at play in this kind of injury, with an eye toward protecting the brain from its long-term consequences. Their recent findings, published in the Biophysical Journal, shed new light on the mechanical properties of a critical brain protein and its role in the elasticity of axons, the long, tendril-like part of brain cells. This protein, known as tau, helps explain the apparent contradiction this elasticity presents. If axons are so stretchy, why do they break under the strain of a traumatic brain injury? Taus own elastic properties reveal why rapid impacts deal permanent damage to structures within axons, when applying the same force more slowly causes them to safely stretch. This understanding can now be used to make computer models of the brain more realistic and potentially can be applied toward tau-related diseases, such as Alzheimers. The team consists of Vivek Shenoy, professor of materials science and engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Hossein Ahmadzadeh, a member … Continue reading →

JACKSONVILLE The signature battlefield wound among veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is now moving to the classroom. And a local college is on a mission to educate its student and faculty about how to teach and study with those who suffer the effects of traumatic brain injury. Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville recently hosted speakers from the Defense and Veteran Brain Injury Center, or DVBIC, who presented information about the causes, signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury and how they may complicate life in academia for those who have suffered one. While TBI has come to the forefront because of the wars in the Middle East, any blow or jolt to the head such as a car accident or fall can cause a TBI. Watching this presentation, I realized there were a lot of positive things going on, said Navy veteran Debra Johnson, 46, of Jacksonville. Having been in the military for 18 years, there are a lot of things not heard, not seen and not spoken of; so watching this and having them break everything down to help everyone understand it brings more attention to the topic. Thought to have suffered a TBI … Continue reading →

This story of survival is part of the Dateline report "Twist of Fate" Andrea Vellinga cant remember anything about the steamy August day that forever changed her lifenot the trip to the 2011 Indiana State Fair, not the horrific stage collapse, not the object that careened down on her head, cracking her skull and bruising her brain. Andrea Vellinga was injured when the stage at the Indiana State Fair collapsed in 2011. As ominous black clouds barreled toward the Indianapolis fair grounds on Aug. 13, Vellinga was in the crowded pit at the base of the stands waiting for her favorite band, Sugarland, to come on stage. When the storm struck, it was violent. Heavy winds ripped at the rigging of the towers at the front of the stage and, in a matter of moments, sent the structure crashing down on the crowd below. Seven people died. Dozens were injured. It was Vellingas good luck that a physician and her paramedic husband were in the stands. The couple spotted the unconscious 30-year-old mom lying on the ground, got her onto a makeshift stretcher and then into an ambulance. It was her bad luck that the injury to her brain was … Continue reading →

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) March 10, 2014 Tidewater Physical Therapy is pleased to announce that thanks to the sponsors and the nearly 500 attendees of the inaugural Richmond Endurance Athlete Symposium and Expo on Feb. 1, it donated $4,300 each to the Brain Injury Association of Virginia and the Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships. Tim Miller, Chief Operating Officer of Richmond 2015, and Kim Moore, President of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, accepted the donations this month from Tidewater Physical Therapys Richmond Regional Director, Kevin Dintino, and Jim Miller, Clinical Director and cycling enthusiast from the Laburnum location. Both organizations commended Tidewater Physical Therapy, the sponsors and the attendees for their great support of their missions. This inaugural event really did become a day of motivation and inspiration thanks to these two great organizations being on site and available to educate the attendees about their mission, said Dintino, also an avid cyclist. Tidewater Physical Therapy is committed to supporting our community and in delivering expert information to athletes, coaches and healthcare professionals. Tidewater Physical Therapy hosted the inaugural Richmond Endurance Athlete Symposium and Expo at the Westin Richmond. The event featured an array of speakers, including Olympic silver medalist … Continue reading →

Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only While concussions are most commonly associated with sports-related injuries, associate professor Anthony Acquavella, MD, at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, says prevention and awareness begins by recognizing that these brain injuries can also result from slips and falls, playground injuries, and car accidents. Concussions are a force to be reckoned with because they are traumatic brain injuries that need to be identified and treated as soon as they occur to help prevent further complications, or even death, said Dr. Acquavella, who also serves as a physician for the Universitys student health service. While March is designated as National Brain Injury Awareness Month, Dr. Acquavella said concussions and head injuries affect hundreds of individuals each day. Approximately 1.7 million people suffer from traumatic brain injuries each year, and concussions represent about 75 percent of those injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Earlier this year, a USciences student suffered a concussion from a fall significant enough to take a medical leave from school, as concussion treatment requires thorough brain rest, said Dr. Acquavella. While concussions are typically caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, they can also … Continue reading →