A NYC shooting suspect claimed to have CTE, a brain disease linked to repeated head injuries, often associated with football, though diagnosis is only confirmed post-mortem. The disease has been linked to long-term impacts on mood, behavior, and cognition, with the NFL facing scrutiny over its players' brain health. There is no cure for CTE, and prevention focuses on safe practices and protective gear.
A study published in Neurology finds that individuals with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and a family history of mental illness are at a higher risk of aggressive behavior, particularly between ages 40 and 59. The research, involving 845 men with head injury histories, suggests that genetic predisposition combined with environmental factors increases aggression risk in CTE patients. Identifying those at higher risk could improve intervention strategies. The study highlights the importance of considering both CTE and family mental health history in assessing aggression risk.
Hospitals are observing an increase in cases of soldiers with head injuries developing epileptic symptoms, with at least seven soldiers injured in the Gaza war suffering seizures as a result. Dr. Felix Benninger from Beilinson Hospital warns that the difficulty may shift towards managing seizures rather than the initial injury, and emphasizes the potential long-term impact on soldiers' mental health. The IDF lacks official data on the subject, but experts urge vigilance as symptoms of epilepsy may manifest later on, and trauma injuries are a significant factor in the appearance of epilepsy among young adults.
A study conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that preventable risk factors, such as repeated blows to the head and exposure to herbicides and pesticides, significantly contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease. The research revealed that head injuries in sports or military combat doubled the risk of developing Parkinson's later in life, while 23% of cases in both men and women were associated with exposure to environmental toxins. The study emphasizes the importance of reducing or avoiding these risk factors to potentially prevent a substantial number of Parkinson's disease cases.
A study published in Pediatrics reveals that over 20,500 children have been injured by ceiling fans between 2013 and 2021, with approximately 2,300 children treated for head injuries caused by ceiling fans in US emergency rooms each year. The study found that injuries occurred most frequently in children under 1 year old and at 4 years old, with children under 3 years old having twice the risk of injury. Lacerations were the most common injury, but more serious injuries like concussions and skull fractures were also reported. Experts warn that many ceiling fan injuries likely go unreported, emphasizing the importance of monitoring children for signs of head injury and seeking medical attention when necessary.
Over the past eight years, more than 20,000 children have been treated in emergency rooms for ceiling fan-related injuries, with babies under one year old and children over four being the most vulnerable. Deep wounds and skull fractures were the most commonly treated injuries, but many cases likely go unreported. Children under three were found to be twice as likely to be injured from being lifted or tossed by an adult. Experts warn that the risk of a child hitting a ceiling fan is often overlooked and could result in serious injury or even death.
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a major cause of psychiatric issues, such as depression, but most people are unaware of this. Brain SPECT scans show that approximately 40 percent of patients have experienced a prior head injury. People with a history of a mild head injury are over three times as likely to have depression compared with individuals who have not experienced head trauma. Healing damage to the brain after an injury is critical for preventing or overcoming post-concussion depression. Certain therapeutic treatments can be beneficial after a concussion or mild TBI, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and neurofeedback.
Minnesota Wild's Matt Dumba's hit on Dallas Stars' Joe Pavelski during Game 1 of the playoffs has sparked debate on the legality of the hit and the need to adjust the rulebook. Pavelski was left motionless on the ice, and while officials initially called a five-minute major, they later rescinded it and assigned Dumba a two-minute minor for roughing. The hit has polarized opinions, with some defending it as part of the game and others calling for a reevaluation of the physicality in hockey. The NHL has been criticized for not recognizing the relationship between brain injuries and CTE, which is a product of a league and culture that continues to enable, promote, and encourage horrific scenes like the one that took place in Dallas.
The death of a high school football player in Pulaski County has highlighted the risks associated with the sport. Dr. Francis Farhadi, a neurosurgeon and associate professor at the University of Kentucky, says that several high school football players experience devastating head injuries or death each year, and that it's important to look for ways to prevent serious injuries and deaths resulting from head injuries at football games, especially at the high school level where there is a higher frequency of serious injury and death compared to college and the NFL.
