In recent years, the long-term consequences of repeated injury to the brain has become much better known – especially in football head injuries and other sports injuries. However, one of the biggest issues in proper treatment has been timing. The only way to confirm the diagnosis of various brain injuries was via autopsy after the afflicted died, which has limited how much help a living person can get.
A new study may show the key to identify chronic brain injury while the patient can still be helped. Keep reading to find out more about the study and what it may be able to do for those affected by brain injuries. If you have been, or a loved one has, then we urge you to also contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation so you can understand the options available to you.
More About the Study
The study was published by the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. It looked at people who had suffered brain injuries and attempted to identify those who had the degenerative brain disease known as CTE. This disease involves abnormal proteins working against and destroying brain cells, which can cause emotional and cognitive issues.
While CTE is generally associate with football players because they are often subjected to being hit in the head repeatedly, diagnosing it has only been possible when brain tissues are tested during autopsy.
PET Scans Can Show Chronic Brain Injury According to the Recent Study
The study in question looked at seven military members who were suspected of having CTE. They were injected with a tracer that binds to the protein characteristics of CTE. The levels were then measured in a PET scan. The scans were then compared to the scans of 15 retired football players who had suffered brain injuries and had symptoms of CTE, to 24 people with Alzheimer’s and to 28 control subjects.
The study showed that the scans of the military members were different than those of the control subjects and the Alzheimer’s patients. They were, however, very similar to the scans of the football players. Both military members and the football players’ scans were similar to players who had died and been diagnosed with CTE during autopsy. It is important to know that this small study is not enough to prove anything but it may be a step in the right direction.
Have You Suffered a Brain Injury? Get Help from a Local Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered a brain injury then you may be eligible for compensation from any party who is determined at fault for your injury. To find out what your options are, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to request a free consultation.
