At present, in the U.S., an estimated 5.3 million people are living with permanent disability related to traumatic brain injury that costs US$38 billion each year, according to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In fact, traumatic brain injury can account for enormous physical, mental, and financial toll for patients, says a new research from the University of Georgia.
A new study undertaken by researchers at the Regenerative Biosciences Center, University of Georgia demonstrates the long-term benefits of a brain glue, called hydrogel, for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. The new study evinces that the gel might help in functional neural repair, besides providing protection against loss of brain tissue.
In fact, clinically, brain damage post traumatic brain injury commonly results in extensive tissue loss and long-term disability. Currently, there are no clinical treatments to prevent tissue loss or cognitive impairments related to traumatic brain injury.
The findings of the study are published in the March 5 edition of Science Advances. The finding is the first that provides visual and functional evidence of repair of neural circuits involved in movement of brain-glue implanted animals following traumatic brain injury.
“Importantly, the work provides a holistic view of status of recovery of the damaged region of the brain as the animal accomplishes a specific reach-and-grasp task,” stated the lead investigator of the study.
Created in 2017, interestingly, the brain glue was designed to mimic the structure and function of the meshwork of sugars that provide support to brain cells. The gel contains key structures that attach to basic fibroblast growth factor and neurotrophic factor obtained from the brain.