Can Proteins Predict Long-Term Health Outcomes for TBI?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be devastating to individuals and their families. A CDC report from 1999 indicated that TBI was a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the U.S., affecting more than 1.5 million people each year. TBI has become even more prevalent in the following decades, with the CDC estimating that TBI affects more than 2.8 million each year. Until recently, predicting the long-term effects of TBI has been challenging, with physicians unable to predict how a brain might heal.
What is Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injury typically happens from a blow to the head or a jolt to the head or body. Objects that go through the brain, like a shard or a bullet, can also cause TBI. Serious TBI can cause bruising, bleeding, torn tissue, or other damage to the brain resulting in long-term health problems or death. Mild TBI can also affect your brain cells temporarily.The physical symptoms of TBI can include:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of coordination
- Dilation of the pupils
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Seizures
- Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
TBI can also cause sensory symptoms like tinnitus, blurry vision, sensitivity to light or sound, or changes in your ability to smell. Possible cognitive or behavioral symptoms can include:
- Mood swings or changes
- Loss of consciousness or a coma
- Disorientation or confusion
- Depression or anxiety
- Slurred speech
- Combativeness or aggression
- Difficulty sleeping
- Memory or concentration problems
Detecting TBI
Now, blood tests may predict the long-term effects of TBI. Elevated levels of the protein neurofilament light (NfL) peak at about 20 days after a TBI and stay elevated for about a year. The NfL protein supports axons in the brain, the tendrils that send messages between brain cells. Researchers have discovered that the higher the NfL peak, the tougher the recovery after six and 12 months. Researchers are hoping to use biomarkers in the future to develop injury-specific interventions.If you or someone you love faces a traumatic brain injury after an accident, give us a call. We can help. Call the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us online. Your initial consultation is free, and you don’t pay a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
