A team of biomedical engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas have identified a cause of fluid swelling of the brain, or cellular edema,that occurs during a concussion.
The researchers discovered that pre-treating the cells with an existing, FDA-approved drug used for epilepsy and altitude sickness reduces the expression of a specific protein that causes swelling.
Their findings were published in a recent issue of Nature’s Scientific Reports .
“Our study found that mild traumatic brain injury resulted in increased expression of a protein called aquaporin-4, which caused a massive cellular influx of fluid, leading to increased astrocyte cell volume and injury,” said Kartik Balachandran, assistant professor of biomedical engineering. “We then worked with a drug called Acetazolamide. Our results showed that Acetazolamide minimized cell swelling and injury, suggesting a therapeutic role for this drug in reducing the detrimental effects of concussions.”
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 25 2016, @10:14AM
cures every thing.
(Score: 2) by bd on Friday November 25 2016, @12:48PM
When shot in the head, and the traumatic injury does not kill you instantly, brain swelling usually will.
So, TFA may actually save you from that proposed 'cure'.