February 21, 2007, 11:20 am

Advances Can Reverse Brain Herniation

The results of preliminary study by Robert Stevens, MD of Johns Hopkins showed promise in reversing brain herniation caused by trauma. Over a four year period 76 individuals with transtentorial herniation were treated with a 23.4% hypertonic saline bolus. In 57 of the cases herniation was reversed. Dr. Stevens noted that “herniation is a reversible events” and “(the) effect is to gain time to think about instituting other therapy”.While the long term outcomes demonstrated that 46 patients eventually died, 17 were left with severe disability and 5 with mild disability, the new approach allows doctors to consider other options and give individuals with severe brain injury resulting in herniation a chance for new opportunities. To learn more about this treatment click here to read the Medpage Today article.

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February 14, 2007, 3:29 pm

Colorado Links Brain Injury Funds With Helmet Fines

In a daring move, Colorado voters might encourage TBI prevention by
forcing riders to wear helmets–and if they don’t, a portion of their
fines could go to a brain injury trust fund.

“Her bill, which now will be debated by the full House, would prohibit
a person under 18 from riding on a motorcycle or motorized bicycle
without an approved helmet, properly secured with a chin strap. It
would punish the driver with 3 points on his or her driver’s license
and $125 of fines and costs, including $10 for the Colorado Traumatic
Brain Injury Trust Fund.”

Click Here to Learn More

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February 7, 2007, 8:38 am

Article in Discover Magazine Hitting Newsstands

For some time now, I've been following the plight of soldiers
returning from Iraq with serious brain injuries–all my travels and
research have yielded a substantial bit of journalism that appears in
the March issue of Discover magazine, which ought to be hitting
newsstands soon.

In the article, you'll learn about the amazing job the military has
done with acute care, and you'll also find out how that care ends too
abruptly for soldiers once they return home. There are major problems
with access to service, as well as systemic issues that soldiers face.

I invite you to check out the article, do your own research, and find
out ways you–either as a professional or as a private citizen–can
advocate for soldiers upon their return. It's an issue that demands
attention.

Keep an eye out for the article, or catch it in a few weeks at
http://www.discover.com!

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February 1, 2007, 9:09 am

"In an Instant" Woodruff Book Forthcoming

Lee Woodruff, along with husband Bob, has penned a soon-to-be-released
book, titled "In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing."
The memoir will recount the Woodruff's family history, as well as the
incident in which Bob Woodruff was brain injured in Iraq.

Let's hope that the book increases social awareness about TBI, and
what kinds of issues families struggle with when their lives meet with
catastrophic injury.

You can place an early order for the book at amazon.com, and you can
visit randomhouse.com for further information.

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