mild traumatic brain injury
Research Papers
Evaluation of current post-concussion protocols
The growing number of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) with the lack of evidence-based treatment options is a continuous health concern. This creates problems when evaluating and providing efficacious symptom management to patients suffering from post-concussion syndrome (PCS). Numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents have been utilized in an attempt to treat PCS. Some of these approaches include physical therapy, analgesics, antidepressants, and nutraceuticals. Although these treatments have had some success, there has been inconsistent outcomes, with some examples of patients' symptoms worsening. Among pharmaceutical agents, fluoxetine has been a popular choice for the symptom management of PCS. Although some patients have had symptom resolution with the use of fluoxetine, there is still a lack of conclusive data. Of the several biochemical changes that occur in a patient's brain following a concussion, an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) is of particular concern. In order to counteract the responses of the brain, antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, have been utilized to reverse the damaging cellular effects. However, this may inadvertently cause an increase in ROS, rather than a reduction. Although there is a lack of consistency in exactly when each treatment was used in the post-injury interval, it is important that we analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the most commonly used agents due to the lack of a set protocol. The studies were chosen in a non-exhaustive manner and were not consistent in patients' post-injury intervals, in addition to other baseline characteristics. However, over-arching claims that some treatments may benefit more than others can be made. This review evaluates both the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical protocols that are most commonly utilized in post-concussive patients for their efficacy in treatment of post-concussive syndrome (PCS).
View Full Paper →Minute Pulsed Electromagnetic Neurostimulation for Mixed Trauma Syndromes
Research regarding noninvasive brain stimulation technologies for the treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mixed (mTBI/PTSD) trauma syndromes has been increasing exponentially. Technologies with the greatest potential thus far include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES). The nature and some of the controversies distinguishing mTBI, PTSD, and mTBI/PTSD are reviewed along with evidence for shared underlying mechanisms. An overview of treatment applications for rTMS, tDCS, and CES are also reviewed. A novel variant of a minute pulsed electromagnetic stimulation technology linked to ongoing electroencephalograph monitoring known as the Flexyx Neurotherapy System is introduced with an overview of the technology and technique, as well as a summary of supportive data to date that explores potential applications for amelioration of these syndromes.
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