BRINGING YOU CURRENT INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO HELP TREAT AND HEAL BRAIN WOUNDS: CONCUSSIONS, TBI, PTSD

Associating Military-Related Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) With New-Onset Mental Health Conditions and Suicide Risk

A new JAMA study sought an answer to this Question: Is military-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) associated with increased incidence of new-onset mental health conditions and suicide risk?

Findings.  In this cohort study, individuals with a history of military-identified TBI had significantly higher rates of new-onset mental health conditions than those without TBI. Increased risk for suicide was associated indirectly (through new-onset mental health diagnoses) and directly with history of TBI.

Meaning. These findings suggest that conceptualizing exposures (physical, psychological) as events that accumulate over an individual’s lifetime and increase risk for negative outcomes (eg, suicide) may assist in identifying mechanisms underlying frequently co-occurring conditions, as well as evidence-based interventions.

Importance.  Research to identify the direct and indirect associations of military-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) with suicide has been complicated by a range of data-related challenges.The major objective was to identify differences in rates of new-onset mental health conditions (ie, anxiety, mood, posttraumatic stress, adjustment, alcohol use, and substance use disorders) among soldiers with and without a history of military-related TBI and to explore the direct and indirect (through new-onset mental health disorders) associations of TBI with suicide.

In this longitudinal cohort study of 860,892 soldiers, rates of new-onset mental health conditions were higher among individuals with a history of TBI compared with those without. Moreover, risk for suicide was both directly and indirectly associated with history of TBI. These findings suggest that increased efforts are needed to conceptualize the accumulation of risk associated with multiple military-related exposures and identify evidence-based interventions that address mechanisms associated with frequently co-occurring conditions. [NOTE: We hope they read the science we have sent them about the use of HBOT to virtually eliminate suicidal ideation.]

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In another story, researchers have gained new insight on how the brain can repair itself post-stroke. Functional decline after an ischaemic stroke is a common experience for patients, especially due to the brain’s resistance to regenerate after damage. However, there is still potential for recovery as surviving neurons can activate repair mechanisms to limit and even reverse the damage caused by the stroke. The question this study looked to answer is how is it triggered?

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) provided new insight to this question by identifying a new mechanism. They discovered that neurons surrounding the area of cell death secrete lipids that can trigger brain-autonomous neural repair after ischaemic brain injury.

An ischaemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked and results in the death of brain cells. This condition is life-threatening, and patients will likely develop functional disabilities. Although the adult brain can self-repair, the underlying mechanisms need further clarification.

Inflammation of the brain contributes to the effects of ischaemic stroke. Senior author, Takashi Shichita, says: “There is evidence that more lipids are produced after tissue injuries and contribute to regulating inflammation. “We investigated the changes in lipid metabolite production in mice after ischaemic stroke. Interestingly, the levels of a specific fatty acid called dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA) and its derivatives increased after the stroke.”

[NOTE: Sadly, no mention in the piece about using HBOT to increase available oxygen and reduce inflammation immediately afte the stroke. Research nearly a decade old shows remarkable results using HBOT to treat stroke victims.]

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Lastly, Jeremy Renner, he of HURT LOCKER and AVENGER fame, and other roles, is taking HBOT treatments twice a day following his hellacious crushing on Jan 1 by his own snowplow.

“Hyperbaric chamber, 2 atmosphere pressure, high oxygen, 2x daily,” the Hawkeye star wrote……. According to the article: “In addition to injuries, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to treat other medical conditions like burns, severe anemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more. It is also commonly used for treating scuba and deep-sea divers affected by the rapid pressure change.”

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The TreatNOW Mission is ending service member suicides. Along the way, we have learned that we can help heal the symptoms and effects of acute concussion/TBI/PTSD by helping heal brain wounds.

Heal Brains. Stop Suicides. Restore Lives. TreatNOW

Information provided by TreatNOW.org does not constitute a medical recommendation. It is intended for informational purposes only, and no claims, either real or implied, are being made.