• 08
  • July
    2011

There are a number of different accidents and circumstances that can result in a traumatic brain injury. Sometimes a serious car accident can cause a brain injury. Head trauma can also result from a nasty slip-and-fall, whether that is on an icy sidewalk or down the stairs.

But brain injuries are not always obvious at first. In fact, a brain injury victim may simply think that he or she got a mild concussion or hit their head. But when a serious brain injury goes unnoticed and untreated, it can get worse and significantly alter the life of the victim.

One particular group of people that experiences brain injuries is military personnel. Because of the nature of the work and the environment that many soldiers are in, head injuries are more common but sometimes difficult to identify.

But just recently, a team of researchers in San Diego has been using a technologically advanced scanner to read brain activity. They are excited about the scanner because their research is showing that it can help diagnose mental disorders brought on by traumatic brain injuries. In addition, the scanner can help doctors understand how the brain recovers from brain injuries.

This scanner can help detect injuries such as concussions and wounds not visible from the outside. It can take pictures of brain tissue that is damaged. The scanner has already been used to help diagnose people who have suffered a head injury.

One young man, a football player, had suffered several concussions and was experiencing memory loss and had difficulty speaking. While other medical devices failed to detect a traumatic brain injury, the scanner showed that he was suffering from two traumatic brain injuries.

This scanner can help doctors and therapists develop more effective rehabilitation programs. It gives medical professionals the ability to specifically tailor recovery programs to maximize the way the brain heals.

Source: Marine Corps Times online, "Scanner helps find traumatic brain injuries," Gidget Fuentes, 02 July 2011