Direct brain recording may help sufferers with memory loss

Traumatic brain injuries can occur in a number of ways. An individual can suffer a brain injury in a car accident, a slip-and-fall and in a fight. However, no matter how one receives such an injury, the results can be sadly similar. Brain injury sufferers may experience headaches, memory loss and a whole host of other issues, including difficulty with motor skills. New research has been launched, though, that will hopefully help with one aspect of brain injury.

The University of Pennsylvania was recently awarded a grant by the Department of Defense to conduct brain injury research specifically targeted on how to help injured soldiers make and keep memories. The $40 million grant will be used to further direct brain recording efforts that utilizes implants to eliminate memory deficiencies. Researchers hope that electrodes will improve memory in brain injury sufferers, including those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.

Though this study is focused on helping soldiers with brain injuries, if successful, it could have major implications for those who suffered a brain injury in another way, such as a car wreck. However, it is important to realize that this study is expected to take four years to complete, so it could be a long time before this type of procedure is utilized on other patients.

Unfortunately, those who have suffered a brain injury may have difficulty affording the long-term care they need and the cutting edge medical attention that is available today. However, if their injury was caused by the negligence of another, then a lawsuit may bring them compensation to help them obtain the best medical care possible. An experienced attorney can sit with a brain injury victim and discuss the possibility of taking legal action.