Radio Interview: Sports Concussions: What parents need to know

I will be discussing issues surrounding concussions in youth sports this Sunday, September 5th at  8:00 AM with noted youth sports authority Rick Wolff on his Sunday morning talk show, Sports Edge on WFAN, Sports Radio, 66 AM New York.

I will also be explaining my important proposal for mandatory medical insurance coverage for pre season base line neuropsychological testing and the need for school based insurance policies to cover brain injury treatment and rehabilitation, if necessary once a concussion does take place. 

You can listen to our important discussion and obtain important information on the signs and symptoms of a concussion and what you as a parent need to know once a concussion takes place by going to Rick Wolff-The Sports Edge.

From 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sundays, Rick Wolff hosts “The Sports Edge,” an hour-long interview and call-in show devoted to contemporary and controversial issues that confront youth sports.

 

September 4, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The medical professionals at the US Open may know something about ankle injuries but they know nothing about concussions

As I suspected, as more news reports uncover what happened to tennis player, Victoria Azarenka, we are now finding out that she had struck her head in a fall earlier in the day.  This fall in a gym was witnessed by medical personnel who came to her assistance.  Amazingly, they failed to diagnose a concussion and failed to take necessary steps that would have prevented her from playing later in the day.

Until those responsible for the heatlh and safety of all athletes understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion and that all concussions must be treated seriously, needless brain damage will continue to take place.

How long will it take for the tennis association to develop a concussion policy that is in keeping with current knowledge?

September 3, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Concussions-Whose minding the store at US Open?

At the US Open yesterday, Victoria Azarenka, the No. 10 seed collapsed on the court during her second-round match. 

At first her fall seemed it was heat related, but Ms. Azarenka in a statement blamed a mild concussion she suffered in a fall before the match while doing a training run. "I felt worse as the match went on, having a headache and feeling dizzy," she said in the statement.

Reportedly, she is still considering returning to play in double matches later on this week.

Does the US Open and the Tennis Association have any policies regarding management of concussions.  If they don't, they better develop some quickly.  This just points to the fact that you can sustain a concussion while engaging in any sporting endeavor and all organized sports need to have concussion policies in place including requirements for medical clearance and when it is appropriate to return to play.  My policy, WHEN IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT!

A troubling issue about all of this is what did the Association know about her claimed fall and if she was observed falling and striking her head, why was she even allowed to go back out on the court?

I am sure that we will be learning more about this in the week ahead.  In the meantime, I hope that this player understands that even mild brain injury can lead to life long serious consequences and must be treated seriously.

September 2, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Who is going to care for all of these kids with traumatic brain injuries?

A troubling study was published in the journal Pediatrics reviewing emergency department visits and concussions in child athletes.

The study raises important public health questions regarding the availability of treatment and medical insurance coverage for these children who may face a tragic permanent consequences.

According to the study, the number of child athletes taken to emergency rooms with sports-related concussions doubled over a recent 10-year-period.

Among youths aged 14 to 19, meanwhile, emergency room visits for concussions sustained during team sports more than tripled over the same period.

Over all, children aged 8 to 19 had more than half a million emergency room visits for concussion from 2001 through 2005, according to the study.

About half of all the emergency department visits for concussion were sports-related, the study found, and the younger children sustained 40 percent of them, representing more than half the concussions among this age group.

What we know from prior studies is that while most individuals will recover from a concussion, we do know that between 15 to 20 percent of individuals have long term and permanent consequences of a concussion with symptoms lasting over one year and in many, over an entire life time.

We also know that children who sustain a concussion are more susceptible to sustaining a further concussion and that the risk of permanent consequences increases with each subsequent concussion.

So, the issue remains, how do we address the long term needs of children once they sustain a traumatic brain injury?  This is the issue that continues to be ignored and must be addressed. 

September 1, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

What parents need to know if their child sustains a concussion.

This Sunday, August 29th, I am scheduled to appear on the CBS morning public affairs show, Eye on New York hosted by Don Dahler.  The show on CBS, New York, Channel 2 will air at 6:30 AM.  We will be having a discussion of the imporant health issues pertaining to sports concussions including the need for baseline testing, the signs and symptoms of concussions and what parents need to know if their child has sustained a concussion.

 

August 27, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Participants sought for Tinnitus study

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is recruiting interested tinnitus patients for a pilot study.

The purpose of this study is to look at changes in the brain that may occur when people are able to control their tinnitus (turn their tinnitus on/off or make their tinnitus louder or softer) by doing certain tasks such as turning their heads, opening/closing their mouth, or redirecting their thoughts. Upon completion of this study, new knowledge will be gained about the changes in brain activity in people who are able to modify their tinnitus.

This study involves a one-time visit to Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Morning, afternoon, and evening hours are available.

Following a brief phone interview, study participants will be asked to fill out some questionnaires regarding their tinnitus, their hearing and their general health. Participants may be asked to undergo a hearing evaluation if they have not had one in the past year.  Participants will then undergo a special type of MRI scan called a functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) scan lasting 30 minutes, during which they will be asked to control their tinnitus at various times.

For additional details about this study, including specific exclusion criteria, please contact Ms. Sara Kukuljan at 314-362-7563 or e-mail her.

August 27, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Nightline to examine behavioral consequences of repeated traumatic brain injuries

This evening, ABC News's "Nightline" program will be featuring a report on deceased former WWE wrestler Chris Benoit as part of their summer series examining the human brain.

Tonight's episode from the series "Secrets of Your Mind: Why We Do What We Do" will include interviews with Michael Benoit, the father of Chris Benoit, and Dr. Julian Bailes of prominent neurosurgeon who has been investigating the brains of deceased athletes.

Dr. Bailes will be sharing his research from studying the brains of former pro athletes that show "repeat concussions could have lasting impacts on the brain."
The episode, airing at 10:00 p.m. EST on ABC, is specifically focused on "psychopathic behavior" and how it originates in the brain. Dr. Bailes will discuss research showing repeated head trauma to the brain can have extreme behavioral consequences.

August 26, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Ban Mixed Martial Arts

Calls for the banning of mixed marital arts have increased.  The Canadian Medical Association is the latest group calling for a ban on mixed martial arts in Canada. Those in favor of the ban say the sport puts fighters at risk of severe head trauma and other injuries that could have lifelong effects.

August 26, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Walk for Thought/Cycle for Safety: Brain Injury Association of New Jersey Event

The Brain Injury Association of New Jersey is sponsoring a walking and riding event WALK FOR THOUGHT / CYCLE FOR SAFETY to promote brain injury prevention on SATURDAY,OCTOBER 16, 2010 at several locations within New Jesey.

You can obtain more information by visiting theBrain Injury Asssociation of New Jersey web site.

August 25, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Some Frightening Statistics on Football Related Concussions

In a press release the American Association of Neurological Surgeons state that the annual incidence of football-related concussion in the United States is estimated at 300,000 and nearly 45,000 football-related head injuries were serious enough to be treated at U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2009. You can read the full release by clicking here.

300,000 thousand is an awful lot of concussions and is further evidence that this is an epidemic that requires our full attention.  Mandatory pre seaon testing and retesting of players once a concussion or suspected concussion takes place  is necessary to prevent premature return to play decisions.

There is nothing mild about a mild traumatic brain injury. 

August 25, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Information on brain aneuysms

September is brain aneurysm awareness month.

A brain aneurysm which has remain silent in an individual’s brain for years can rupture as a result of head trauma and brain injury. Unfortunately, many brain aneurysms go unrecognized by the medical profession leading to rupture, brain damage and even death.
 
Brain aneurysms can occur in anyone, at any age. An estimated 6 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm. Each year, about 30,000 people in the U.S. will suffer from a ruptured brain aneurysm.  About 40% of those experiencing a ruptured brain aneurysm will die.

To raise awareness of the dangers and increase public awareness and understanding of brain aneurysms, including methods of early detection and treatment, September has been identified as National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.  Understanding that early detection can make a significance difference in the outcome, The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is working to help educate the general public and the medical community on how to recognize the symptoms of a brain aneurysm. 

If the brain aneurysm is diagnosed early with proper screening, it can be treated before it ruptures, saving lives.
Here are some tips on ways to reduce your risk for a brain aneurysm and what warning signs and symptoms to look for:

• Understand risk factors

Researchers and doctors have identified several risk factors which they believe contribute to the formation of a brain aneurysm including: family history of brain aneurysms, smoking, high blood pressure or hypertension, drug use, infection, tumors, traumatic head injury, age (over 40), gender (women have an increased ratio over men 3:2), presence of an arteriovenous malformation or other inherited disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, kidney disease and Marfan syndrome.

• Learn about early detection and screening methods

Brain aneurysms can be similar to heart attacks. Just like a person may have no warning of an impending heart attack, there almost is never a warning that a brain aneurysm is about to rupture. Fortunately, through imaging screening techniques, individuals at high risk of harboring a brain aneurysm can be identified easily with non-invasive imaging tests.

• Know what warning signs and symptoms to look for

Small unruptured brain aneurysms are typically not associated with any symptoms – however, large unruptured aneurysm can occasionally press on the brain or nerves and may result in various neurological symptoms including: localized headache, dilated pupils, blurred or double vision, pain above and behind the eye, weakness and numbness or difficulty speaking.

Ruptured brain aneurysms usually result in bleeding in the brain which causes sudden symptoms including: sudden severe headache, loss of consciousness, nausea/vomiting, stiff neck, sudden blurred or double vision, sudden pain above the eye/difficulty seeing, sudden trouble walking or dizziness, sudden change in mental status/awareness, sensitive to light, seizure or drooping eyelid.
 
• Seek medical attention

Any individual experiencing some or all of these symptoms, regardless of age, should undergo immediate and careful evaluation by a physician.

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation offers many resources to promote early diagnosis of brain aneurysms including an educational video entitled Early Detection of Brain Aneurysms: Life vs. Death.  This 20-minute video is designed to educate primary care physicians, emergency room physicians and first responders on the early detection of brain aneurysms.

A number of events are planned throughout the United States during September which are designed to raise awareness of brain aneurysms.  For more information on local events and informational materials on awareness efforts, please visit the brain aneurysm foundation.  

August 24, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Indiana Med School seeking volunteers for new brain injury treatment study

The Center for Neuroimaging at the Indiana University School of Medicine is recruiting individuals with memory and attention problems related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) for a study evaluating the effectiveness of three treatments.

Participants must be between 18 and 60 years of age and have experienced a brain injury between 4 months and 5 years ago resulting in lasting problems with attention and memory. Participants should be able to travel to the IUPUI campus for five clinic visits over a seven-week period.

Individuals who qualify and are enrolled in the study are eligible for financial compensation.

For more information about the study, contact Brenna McDonald, M.D., at (317) 278-8878 or email mcdonalb@iupui.edu.

August 24, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Injury Prevention has just published their August Newsletter which  contains some important information on playground safety and traumatic brain injury:

Kids love playgrounds, and with the nice weather children flock to neighborhood and schoolyard playgrounds. In NYS, an average of approximately 6,000 children ages 19 years and younger are treated annually in emergency departments and 500 children are hospitalized for injuries resulting from playground-related fall injuries.

Traumatic brain injury is the second leading diagnosis of all injuries sustained on playgrounds across New York State. Children between the ages of five and nine are at highest risk for injuries sustained on playgrounds. To keep kids safe on playgrounds, please make sure there is: adequate supervision, age appropriate equipment, proper playground surfaces, and properly maintained equipment. More information on playground safety is available from:

o American Academy of Pediatrics

o Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

o National Program for Playground Safety (www.playgroundsafety.org/safetyweek/)

o New York State Department of Health

o U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/playpubs.html)

August 23, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Let's support funding for TBI for Kids Web Site

Just a reminder that we all have to go to the Pepsi site and vote for funding to build the new brain injury information site devoted to issues surrounding brain injury in children.  The site is being built by the founders of BrainLine and deserves our support.  You can vote for funding by clicking here.

August 23, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Today's Interview on WFAN-Some proposals for change in the NFL and in Schools to Prevent Brain Damage

Earlier today, I had the privilege of appearing on Bob Salter's morning talk show which was broadcast on WFAN.

In addition to discussing the signs and symptoms of a concussion, I also has the opportunity to discuss some of my ideas on how to improve the safety of football players and all athletes. 

I proposed that the league prohibit teams from terminating players who have sustained brain injuries and thereby terminate all payments to that individual.  Currently, a player whose contract is terminated as a result of injury, loses all future income under that agreement.  No wonder that players are hesitant to report symptoms of aa concussion.  They are afraid of losing their contract and all future income.  This is a major disincentive to report the signs and symptoms of a concussion and this disincentive must be eliminated in contract discussions that are now going on between the league and the player's association.  It is only fair that if a player is sacrificing his brain for the benefit of the team and the league, if he is injured, his contract is honored.

I also proposed that the NFL disability plan reopen the files of players who have been denied brain injury disability benefits and re-examine their entitlement to these benefits.  Now that  the league has found religion and recognizes the consequences of brain trauma and concedes that even mild brain injuries can lead to permanent disability, they must reopen the files of players who were wrongfully denied benefits.  Of course, you need impartial and independent reviewers to look at these files and I volunteered to be on any such panel created by the NFL.

I also discussed the need to make pre-season base line testing mandatory for all children engaged in all sports.  To do this, there must be changes under existing insurance laws to provide insurance medical benefits for this testing.  Current insurance plans do not cover this type of testing and many school districts and parents cannot afford the costs.  Under the new health care legislation, preventivie medicine must be included as a mandatory benefit.  Regulations need to be drafted that include mandatory base line testing as a category of mandatory preventive medical care for the prevention of brain damage to your nation's youth.

Bob Salter and I had a great discussion.  He certainly is concerned about the health and safety of all athletes. I look forward to having future discussions with him in the weeks and months to come.

August 22, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Listen to Michael discuss concussions and the NFL tomorrow morning on WFAN

Tomorrow morning (Sunday, August 22) at 7:25 AM Part I and at 7:45 AM Part II,  I am scheduled to appear as a guest of Bob Salter on WFAN radio on his morning sports program to discuss the general topic of concussions in sports and the way the NFL has been dealing with the issue as well as some of my proposals for change.

I will be discuss modern understanding of the term concussion and what it means to have a concussion,  the signs and symptoms of concussions, why players have a fear of reporting their symptoms to teams, proposals for change for the health and safety of players in school as well as those engaged in professional sports.

WFAN is broadcast in New York on 6600 AM and can be heard nationally as well by live internet feed.

You can click here tomorrow to listen to the interview.

August 21, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Pre-season baseline neuropsychological testing of all players must be become mandatory

Concussions pose a great danger to our nation's youth and all students must have baseline neuropsychological testing at the beginning of the season in order to have a gauge to use to determine when a player who has sustained a concussion can return to play.  After the concussion or suspected concussion takes place, the player needs to be retested and the results must be compared with the pre-season testing.

While many teams and school districts are now performing these tests, unfortunately, not all districts and teams have the funds to do so.  This testing must be made mandatory across the nation by either laws in each state or by federal law.  In order to pay for these tests, there must be mandatory insurance coverage included in all health insurance policies as well as mandatory coverage for the care that is required if the testing shows the need for cognitive rehabilitation.

Yesterday, CBS News, New York's reporter Mark Morgan did a story on this testing which included comments by myself. You can view the on line story by clicking here. 

August 19, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Cerebrospinal fluid examination may preduct risk of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers in the August issue of Achieves of Neurology (67:949-956) are reporting the results of studies which  show that  Cerebrospinal fluid contains important information that which is highly predictive of Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers are recommending that testing of cerebral spinal fluid evaluation should be utilized when Alzheimer's disease is suggested in patients who exhibit mild cognitive impairments.

The researchers found that the detection of β-amyloid 1-42 and certain types of protein had a diagnostic sensitivity of 90 percent.

 

August 13, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Let's Help Brainline build its new web site dedicated to brain injury in children

Let’s help WETA, the public service television station in Washington DC and their award winning web site Brainline build a new web site dedicated to preventing brain injury in children and providing critical information to parents, teachers, coaches and physicians.

Brainline is competing for a grant from Pepsi.  They need your vote on Facebook each day during August to receive a $50,000 grant to build out this site.

Their proposal includes the following:

• Create free multimedia resources about brain injury (TBI) in kids
• Build and launch TBIKids.org, about prevention and treatment
• Reach over 200,000 parents, teachers, coaches, and doctors
• Provide community for parents struggling to help a child with TBI
• Help coaches recognize brain injury in young athletes

To vote and get more information click here.

August 9, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Air Show to Support Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire

The 2010 Boston-Portsmouth Air Show will take to the skies Aug. 28 and 29 at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease in support of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire. 

The air show brings a blockbuster lineup that includes the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Braizilian Air Force Smoke Squadron, and the U.S. Army Golden Knights. The event will also include the first "Pull for the Cure" competition to benefit wounded warriors with traumatic brain injury as teams of 20 attempt to pull a 98,000-pound plane.

To buy tickets or for more information, visit  the air show web site.  For more on the "Pull for the Cure," or to register a team of 20,  e-mail . Participants should be age 18 or older, or with parental consent for those under 18. Entry fee is $1,500 per team, or $75 in pledges per team member. Deadline to register a team is Aug. 25.

August 8, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

What's wrong with the Rams?

Today's on line issue of the St. Louis Post Dispatch contains a troubling post quoting the coach of the Ramns describing the head injury received by running back Keith Toston.

Coach Spagnola described Toston as feeling "a little fuzzy" after a hard hit.

Sounds like this coach and this team have come up with a new term and a way of minimizing traumatic brain injuries and concussions.  Someone needs to tell this coach that feeling "a little fuzzy" is not something to minimize.  According to the CDC this is one on of the hall mark signs of a concussion.

The CDC definition of a concussion includes being dazed or confused.

Even with the mandate of the NFL this week that poster's setting forth the signs and symptoms of a concussion be placed in all team locker rooms, these coaches are oblivious to the dangers of a concussion as well as the signs and symptoms of a concussion.  Or,  just as troubling, they don't care and are sending dangerous signals to their players that a concussion is no big deal. 

Either way, the league still needs to do more to get the word out, WHEN IT DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT!

August 6, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Nursing Home Fined For Patient's Head Injury and Death

Frequently falls in nursing homes lead to brain injury and even death.  The nursing home and its staff are responsible for these injuries and legal action can be instituted by the patient and their family.  In New York State, special rights and legal protection are afforded to nursing home residents.

Here is an example of poor care in a nursing home that led to a tragic death as reported in the Los Angeles Times.  A Northern California nursing home was fined $100,000 after a State investigation found that nursing home staff failed to prevent a patient from falling twice and suffering a fatal head injury for which he was not treated.
 
State investigators found that an  85-year-old patient, who had a heart condition and diabetes, was supposed use a walker and be supervised when walking, but found that nursing home staff failed to install an electronic fall monitor as ordered by the patient’s doctor and also failed to ensure that the patient’s walker was within reach.

The man denied that he had hit his head and he was given a neurological evaluation that appeared normal, according to staff members’ notes. However, when he turned pale and listless and started vomiting later that night, staff members did not assess him for possible head injuries or notify his doctor for about two hours, in part because there was no registered nurse on duty that night, according to the patient’s medical records.

After staff members notified the patient’s nephew and doctor, they had the man transferred to a hospital, where he died the next morning. Doctors used a CT scan to determine the cause of death was bleeding in the brain and a fall with head trauma, according to medical records cited in the investigator’s report.

At the brain injury law firmof DeCaro & Kaplen, we handle nursing home malpractice cases and can assist your family and yourself. 

August 6, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

ABC Launches New Prime Time Series Examining The Mystery of the Brain

ABC News has announced a new primetime series, “Nightline Prime,” which premieres Thursday, August 19 examining the mystery and science of the brain.

Each installment of Secrets of the Mind will focus on a different research area, including love’s impact on the brain, medical emergencies involving the brain, violence and the brain, and food and the brain.  
The four installments of Secrets of Your Mind begin airing Thursday, August 19 at 10:00pm ET/PT and continue on the three subsequent Thursdays:

Here is a rundown of each of the shows:

Thursday, August 19: “Nightline” co-anchor Cynthia McFadden explores the brain in love. She follows a remarkable story of love lost and found again after a traumatic brain injury. McFadden also talks to a man who is literally paralyzed by love—a peculiar brain condition that causes his body to shut down when he experiences feelings of love for his wife.

Thursday, August 26: Martin Bashir takes a journey inside the mind of a psychopath. Bashir examines evil’s origin in the brain and whether people can be born with a tendency for evil or violent behavior and if it can be detected in childhood.  In his reporting, Bashir visits death row for a close-up look at two of the country’s most notorious serial killers. He also speaks exclusively to the distraught father of Chris Benoit, the pro-wrestler who murdered his family then himself.

 Thursday, September 2:  “Nightline” co-anchor Terry Moran embeds with Dr. Bailes for a first-hand look at life-and-death drama inside the operating room.  It’s a race against time as cameras capture an aneurism bursting on the operating table and Dr. Bailes and his team have only seconds to react.

August 5, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

No free pass for the NFL when it comes to brain damage

My readers know that for many years, I have commented on the NFL's poor record when it comes to concussions and traumatic brain injury.  Not only has the league set the wrong example for those engaged in youth sports but the league has consistently refused to honor its obligations to those players who have received tragic brain injuries in the past.

I am honored that this Sunday, the New York Times printed by letter to the editor, "N.F.L Pays Lip Service to Player's Long Term Disability"

I am reprinting the letter below:

To the Sports Editor:

Re “N.F.L. Asserts Greater Risks of Head Injury,” July 26:

The continuous refusal by the lawyers retained by the N.F.L. to accept the association between long-term disability and concussions exemplifies their disingenuous position when confronting the issue of brain damage. It is implausible that these lawyers are acting without the full knowledge and approval of their client.

The league is now doing a better job of paying lip service to acknowledging the long-term disability associated with concussions. But it remains steadfast in its refusal to fulfill its fiduciary obligations under the disability retirement plan and adequately compensate those players who have sacrificed their brains and lives while the league owners have continued to reap the financial benefits.

It would be interesting to know what initiatives the league was undertaking to review the disability files of all those players who have been wrongfully denied brain-injury-associated disability payments, with their purported better understanding of traumatic brain injury.

It may be that the only way to obtain justice for these players is to require a truly independent review of these files or surrender the cloak of immunity behind which the league hides and consent to a full and fair court hearing.

Michael V. Kaplen, Esq. 

August 4, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Summer edition of Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Newsletter now available on line

The mission of the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is to serve active duty military, their beneficiaries, and veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) through state-of-the-art clinical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs.  DVBIC fulfills this mission through ongoing collaboration with military, VA and civilian health partners, local communities, families and individuals with TBI.

The most recent issue of the DVBIC newsletter is now available on line. Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Newsletter.

 

August 1, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Save the date: Federal Interagency Conference on Traumatic Brain Injury

The third Federal Interagency Conference on Traumatic Brain Injury will be held on June 13-June 15 2011 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC.  Two earlier conferences were held in 1999 and 2006.

The Interagency Conference on TBI, sponsored by a consortium of federal agencies and advocacy groups, brings together clinicians, researchers, consumers, and policy makers to share cutting-edge advances in TBI research and clinical care.
 
The conference planners report that this next conference will bring together civilian and military agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration in addition to the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and other leading federal players in research and clinical care for TBI. 

Important Dates:
June 1, 2010 – October 15, 2011: On-line call for symposia open at the conference website

July 1, 2010: On-line conference registration and hotel reservations open – register early for big savings!

You can get more information by visiting the interagency brain injury conference web site.

July 31, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Brain Injury Association of Delaware Annual Confernce and Call for Presentors

The Brain Injury Association of Delaware has issued a "Call for Programs" through Aug. 20 for its 20th annual conference which will be held on March 23-24, 2011 at the University of Delaware.

The conference committee is seeking presentation proposals that relate to this year's theme, "Journey of Purpose."

Programs should focus on the different areas of the treatment spectrum and should be 60 minutes long, including time for questions and answers.

To submit a program proposal, provide your name, address, phone and e-mail address, the title of the presentation and a brief abstract limited to 200 words in Microsoft Word Format.

All proposals must be submitted electronically by clicking here . 

July 30, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

How the military is responding to soldiers in the vegetative state. Some lessons for insurance companies.

USA Today has a front page story on recent military efforts regarding the treatment of victims of brain trauma who are in the vegetative state For Troops With Brain Trauma, A Long Journey Back . 

The story provides an indepth analsyis on the emergence of brain injury survivors from the vegetative state, the first stage of recovery following a coma and sheds some light on this promising area of research.The military should be commended for not merely warehousing persons in the Vegetative State but continuing to fund long-term rehabilitation.  It is obvious that the combination of active therapies along with family engagement shows incredible promise.

Unfortunately, this same approach has not yet been accepted and adopted by insurance companies and government sponsored medical care for the rest of the general population.  The majority of individuals who are traumatically injured are young, with many years ahead of them but could never hope to receive the rehabilitation that they require. 

The arbitrary limit of thirty or even ninety days to determine the efficacy of coma recovery rehabilitation is not borne out by the evidence that has been revealed by the VA studies and protocol. That policy merely provides a simple cost-saving device for the insurance companies without allowing sufficient time and therapies to adequately assess extent of possible recovery.

Brain injury recovery cannot be measured in days or months.  It is difficult to predict when recovery will take place and the full extent of that recovery. To deny these individuals a reasonable chance of recovery is a shameful commentary on the allocation and availability of medical resources, especially in light of the positive findings of the VA. 

Brain injury should not be a death sentence.  We have made astonishing progress in saving lives, now we must spend the same resources in repairing and rebuilding those lives.

It’s wonderful to save a life.  Society then has an obligation and responsibility to rehabilitate that person so that he/she can achieve maximum recovery.

We must devote our research and efforts to providing an approach that will focus on the individual and his/her needs.

July 29, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Can we rely upon the NFL to protect the future health of players?

The Forida Times-Union has an important editorial today, "NFL-When Cheering Ends"  that concludes with the profound statement that“someone needs to protect the future health of players”.

The question is who is that “someone”? I have serious doubts if players and their families can truly rely upon the league to provide this vital protection. While the league should be commended for their poster and attempts to educate players on the long-term consequences of concussions, the true test of the league’s commitment to the health of their players will be how they ultimately respond to players who develop long-term disabilities following any type of brain injury.

July 29, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Consumer Public Safety Commission Announces Pool and Spa Kids Safety Education Effort

Halfway through the summer swimming season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has seen news reports of more than 210 child drowning and non-fatal submersion incidents in pools and spas around the country since Memorial Day Weekend.

In an effort to reduce these preventable incidents, CPSC and partners Safe Kids USA and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) joined forces to introduce a new kids safety education program. The centerpieces of the program are a multi-part educational video and an online activity, which are part of CPSC's national Pool Safely campaign.

The educational video highlights individual experiences and uses seven simple Pool Safely steps to encourage safe and responsible behavior in and around pools and spas. It is introduced by actress Ming-Na, the voice of Mulan in Disney animated films and star of the NBC drama "ER." The video series is available to view by clicking here and on the websites of Safe Kids  and the NDPA

The new Pool Safely interactive online activity is designed for parents and young children. It highlights unsafe behaviors around the pool in a variety of real-world settings such as backyard, hotel and community pools. Game players are encouraged to identify the trouble spots and behaviors. The online activity is aimed at children seven and under and will be available for play on the Pool Safely website and on the websites of the NDPA and Safe Kids.

Last month, the Pool Safely campaign released a series of public service announcements that remind the American public how to stay safe in and around pools and spas. They can be viewed by visiting pool safely web site.

July 29, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)