When someone sustains a traumatic brain injury (TBI), everything changes. Things change not just for the person suffering from the injury, but also for their entire network of friends, family, and co-workers. A TBI can range from mild to extremely severe, and unlike injuries in other areas of the body that most often only affect one appendage or organ, a brain injury results in changes throughout the entire body. Additionally, no brain injuries are exactly alike. Consequently, people who suffer from TBI’s are often left to work through and identify their symptoms independent of a standard checklist.
THE EFFECTS OF A TBI
The effects of a TBI vary depending on the nature of the injury and the person who was injured. Common effects of TBI include:
- Headaches
- Difficulty thinking
- Memory problems
- Difficulty paying attention
- Mood swings
- Aggression and
- Frustration.
Sometimes a person can clearly associate a certain symptom with their head injury. In other cases, the link is not immediately apparent.
POSSIBLE BREAKTHROUGH TREATMENT
In the fall of 2017, researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation announced a potential new discovery in the treatment of moderate to severe aggression in patients with chronic traumatic brain injuries. The researchers noted that emotional deficits are some of the most “prevalent, persistent, and challenging to treat,” yet remain grossly understudied.
Scientists discovered that the drug Amantadine, an antiviral medication developed in the 1960s, can be beneficial in decreasing aggression, at least for TBI patients. Researchers began studying the drug’s usefulness for reducing aggression in TBI patients after it was discovered that it increased cognitive function in people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Included in the study was an Assistant Adjunct Research Professor at the IU School of Medicine who sustained a mild brain injury as a result of an accident on her bicycle. Dr. Elena Gillespie, PhD, like many people who suffer TBIs, didn’t immediately recognize her own symptoms. Instead, a colleague noticed her irritability and constant exhaustion, and suggested she may have a TBI. After trying some other medications, she received the drug Amantadine. Dr. Gillespie reports excellent results, both for herself, and for her TBI patients. “It helps you reclaim your identity a bit,” she said. “And to get that back helps you get your quality of life back too.”
IF YOU ARE SUFFERING…
If you have a TBI, contact the law firm of Miller Kory Rowe LLP. Our Traumatic Brain Injury attorneys understand the complexity and challenges of TBI cases, and work tirelessly with injured victims and their families to recover what is rightfully theirs. From lost wages and pain and suffering, to medical costs to durable medical equipment, we leave no stone unturned. At Miller Kory Rowe LLP, we are dedicated to getting our clients the settlements they deserve. Contact us today at (602) 648-4045 to discuss the specifics regarding what happened, as well as explore legal options that may be available.
