For the National Football League, concussions are a real problem. The league knows it. The league is just not happy talking about it.
A 2016 congressional report concluded the NFL tried to improperly influence the National Institutes of Health when the NIH was conducting a study about the connection between Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), commonly known as a concussion, and the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
CTE is the disease that doctors believe contributed to the death of several former professional football players, among them San Diego native Junior Seau. Former players have tried relentlessly to try and figure out how to combat the symptoms of CTE and now thanks to a treatment being done in San Diego they might have a ray of hope.
First, a bit of background. Doctors believe 30 percent to 40 percent of people who sustain a concussion will experience some level of post-concussion syndrome. Post-concussion syndrome can cause neurological problems such as migraines, headaches and dizzy spells. It also comes with cognitive problems like memory changes, difficulty in planning or focusing and behavioral problems such as depression, mood disorders and sleep issues.
The multitude of symptoms makes TBI extremely difficult to treat.
One of the big challenges when we do evaluations for traumatic brain injury is identifying which is the main driver in this constellation of symptoms and going after that, said Dr. Mohammed Ahmed of the Kaizen Brain Center in La Jolla. Often times we find that if depression comes in the setting of a concussion its often difficult to treat with medications.
Resistance to traditional medications is one of the reasons the depression afflicting former football players is so difficult to deal with. At Kaizen Brain Center in La Jolla another technique is being utilized: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Its a stimulation of your brain using a magnetic field, said Dr. Ahmed. Its one very effective way of treating depression in people who are not responding to medications or who have very severe depression.
TMS has caught the attention of former athletes and military veterans who are reporting symptoms of CTE. Dr. Ahmed says it is especially effective against depression because TMS sparks electrical activity in the brain cells, targeting and changing the brain function in a very specific area.
We believe that people with depression have decreased activity in a certain are of the brain, which is the frontal lobe. Using this electrical activity you can change that and make that area more active and the depression symptoms can be improved.
TMS was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of depression in 2008 and recently approved it for treatment of migraines, as well.
The treatment begins by getting TMS for a half hour every day for 6-8 weeks. After that the patient needs only to undergo maintenance treatments once every 4-6 weeks. Doctors say the process can decrease the need for, and in some cases completely eliminate, the need for medications.
We are just beginning to unfold the connection between a head injury and CTE. But there is good optimism among the community of TBI and CTE researchers that we will understand this connection and understand this process so that we can come up with better treatment targets.
The research with TMS has been so encouraging that Dr. Ahmed believes TMS can be used to treat other neurological ailments, including Alzheimers disease in the future.
One of the reasons we started Kaizen Brain Center is we wanted to put traumatic brain injury and Alzheimers under one roof and treat it in an interdisciplinary manner, said Dr. Ahmed. One of my academic interests has been to understand how a head injury causes Alzheimers or CTE.
It is important to note that this treatment is not a cure for post-concussion syndrome or CTE. But Dr. Ahmed believes its a way to deal with the aftermath.
What happened happened. We cant go back and treat a concussion. Its a historical event. There is a brain injury and as a result there are symptoms, so what we do is go after the symptoms so that we can improve the function of that individual.
That, in turn, improves the quality of life. Dr. Ahmed has spoken to the NFL Alumni Association and has several former football players as patients. He also treats military members who have suffered TBI and says every single one he has treated that displays post-concussive symptoms has reported an improvement, not just in physical and mental health but in family health.
Veterans that come back have can have difficulties adjusting to their spouses. Former football players have difficulties with their families. So the whole family is involved; the children are involved. Even if were able to make some changes and improvement, I think thats a big victory.
Dr. Ahmed believes this treatment could possibly open the door to a true medical miracle: finding a way to prevent CTE or Alzheimers.
We want somebody to sit in the chair outside and feel that there is hope here. Thats the message we want to convey to people.
For more information on the treatment, which is now being covered by several insurance providers, visit http://www.kaizenbraincenter.com.
Published at 4:06 PM PDT on May 15, 2017 | Updated at 4:17 PM PDT on May 15, 2017
Visit link:
San Diego Doctors Using Special Treatment to Combat CTE - NBC 7 San Diego
- Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy Brain Injury - May 7th, 2011 [May 7th, 2011]
- Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury - May 9th, 2011 [May 9th, 2011]
- Atlanta Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Emory - May 11th, 2011 [May 11th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Brain Injury Part 2 (Tbi) - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Mark, anoxi brain injury, physical therapy after stem cell treatment - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Bob Hahn Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery - May 23rd, 2011 [May 23rd, 2011]
- Mark, anoxi brain injury, after stem cell treatment at Tiantan Puhua Hospital Beijing - May 24th, 2011 [May 24th, 2011]
- New Beginnings community center for brain injury rehabilitation - May 30th, 2011 [May 30th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 1 - Dr. Robert Kohn, Neurologist - June 2nd, 2011 [June 2nd, 2011]
- Am I Brain Damaged? from traumatic brain injury - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- SLI Wellness Center for Brain Injury Rehabilitation - June 11th, 2011 [June 11th, 2011]
- Update on Libya, Radiation in Japan, Tramatic Brain Injury treatment and more, 03/23/2011 - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Finding Your Path - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 5 - Doctor Kohn, Chicago Neurologist - June 16th, 2011 [June 16th, 2011]
- The struggle to treat traumatic brain injury - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor Speaks about ProTECT trial at UC Health University Hospital - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Stem cell treatment for Brain Injury of Adrian - June 23rd, 2011 [June 23rd, 2011]
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - June 24th, 2011 [June 24th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury TBI - July 4th, 2011 [July 4th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 2 - Dr. Robert Kohn, Neurologist - July 6th, 2011 [July 6th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 7 - Doctor Kohn, MD, Neurology, Neuropsychiatry - July 14th, 2011 [July 14th, 2011]
- Neurofeedback Training and Treatment at Healing Unleashed in Denver Colorado - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Alexis Verzal takes independent steps - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- The New WalkAide System: Advanced Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Treatment of Foot Drop - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Doctors Cool Newborn to Limit Brain Damage - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 6 - by Neurologist, Dr. Robert Kohn - July 24th, 2011 [July 24th, 2011]
- Brain injury and trauma treatment by homeopathy - July 31st, 2011 [July 31st, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 4 - Dr. Kohn, Neuropsychiatrist / Neurologist - August 9th, 2011 [August 9th, 2011]
- Preserving Hope, Predicting Health - August 17th, 2011 [August 17th, 2011]
- Sask Brain Injury Association - August 19th, 2011 [August 19th, 2011]
- Cognition and Mild Head Injury by Dr. Muriel Lezak - August 21st, 2011 [August 21st, 2011]
- Brain injury_Shawna_ USA_before stem cell treatment 1.wmv - August 25th, 2011 [August 25th, 2011]
- Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Recovery is a Journey - August 26th, 2011 [August 26th, 2011]
- Different types of Concussions by Dr. James Chesnutt.mov - August 30th, 2011 [August 30th, 2011]
- Brain injury_Shawna_ USA_after stem cell treatment 1.wmv - September 11th, 2011 [September 11th, 2011]
- With Brain Injuries, Soldiers Face A Battle For Care - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- Tripler Medical Center Treats Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Sessions' Traumatic Brain Injury Amendment to DOD Appropriations - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Using Stem Cells for Treatment of TBI | Dr. Charles Cox | Research Trials - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Healing brain injuries - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Veterans Services at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - - October 8th, 2011 [October 8th, 2011]
- Hope Beyond Trauma - October 9th, 2011 [October 9th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 3 - by Neurologist Dr. Robert Kohn - October 10th, 2011 [October 10th, 2011]
- Understanding and Improving Vocational Outcomes following Traumatic Brain Injury - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- LI facility dedicated to Terri Schiavo - Video - October 17th, 2011 [October 17th, 2011]
- Treating Traumatic Brain Injury with Neurotopia - featuring Holden McCray - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Survivors: Adriana Villar (Making a Difference: Story 1) - Video - October 21st, 2011 [October 21st, 2011]
- Fabio - brain injury - Video - October 23rd, 2011 [October 23rd, 2011]
- The Latest Developments in Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatments and Brain Damage Video of MRI of Brain Chambers WWW.STEMCELLREGENMED.COM - Video - October 29th, 2011 [October 29th, 2011]
- Military lags on promising treatment for brain-injured soldiers - Video - November 6th, 2011 [November 6th, 2011]
- Brian Moylan (TBI survivor) talking on treatment from the NHS - Video - November 10th, 2011 [November 10th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Experts at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital - Video - November 12th, 2011 [November 12th, 2011]
- H200 Hand Rehabilitation System - Testimonials - Clinical Focus - Video - November 13th, 2011 [November 13th, 2011]
- Coping with Brain Injury: Robots and Rehabilitation - Video - November 16th, 2011 [November 16th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation using MediTouch HandTutor - Video - November 18th, 2011 [November 18th, 2011]
- Brain Injury Treatment Success | College Station Chiropractor Dr. David Bailey - Video - November 30th, 2011 [November 30th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) corrects brain-injury. - Video - December 7th, 2011 [December 7th, 2011]
- Story of a Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery with Hyperbaric Oxygen (Part1/4) - Video - December 8th, 2011 [December 8th, 2011]
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Brain Injury - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- Redwood Extended Care Facility - Brain Injury Services - Video - December 10th, 2011 [December 10th, 2011]
- What If... Brain Injury Rehabilitation - Video - December 17th, 2011 [December 17th, 2011]
- Dangers in Self Medication - Young Adults with Lyme Disease - Leo J. Shea, III, PhD - Video - December 18th, 2011 [December 18th, 2011]
- Reducing Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the US - Video - December 19th, 2011 [December 19th, 2011]
- Traumatic Brain Injury - Part 8 - Dr. R. Kohn, MD, Neurology - December 21st, 2011 [December 21st, 2011]
- Brain injury rehabilitation using Wii recreational therapy - Video - December 24th, 2011 [December 24th, 2011]
- CNS President/CEO Dr. Mark Ashley discusses how research shapes brain injury rehabilitation - Video - December 29th, 2011 [December 29th, 2011]
- Albert James De Meillon-Traumatic Brain Injury-Part 1 - Video - January 1st, 2012 [January 1st, 2012]
- Hope Beyond Trauma_Janie Smith - Video - January 10th, 2012 [January 10th, 2012]
- Neurofeedback adhd - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- We are the World, We ARE The Children - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- New Hopes for Treating Traumatic Brain Injury - Video - January 11th, 2012 [January 11th, 2012]
- NeuroRestorative's Robin Ray Featured on ABC in Southern Illinois - Video - January 13th, 2012 [January 13th, 2012]
- Careers at Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center - Video - January 26th, 2012 [January 26th, 2012]
- Chris Persel discusses what makes CNS a leader in brain injury rehabilitation - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Care for catastrophic injuries, spinal cord and traumatic brain injury - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Military Tests Pressurized Chamber to Treat TBI - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Richmond Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Applaud White House Research Initiative Targeting Veterans’ Health Issues - January 28th, 2012 [January 28th, 2012]
- Protect Your Brain...Why? - Video - January 30th, 2012 [January 30th, 2012]