Brain Injury

For Iraq Veterans, Headaches Continue After Traumatic Brain Injury

ababb@aan.com — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Many soldiers who experienced mild head trauma or a blast exposure while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan are returning to the United States with headaches, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle, April 25 to May 2, 2009. The study, conducted at Fort Lewis, WA, involved 978 U.S. Army soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan in 2008. All had experienced a concussion, head injury or blast exposure while deployed. Nearly 98 percent of the soldiers reported having headaches during the last three months of their deployment. The headaches started within one week of the traumatic brain injury for 37 percent of the soldiers, and within one to four weeks for 20 percent. Among the soldiers whose headaches started within a week of the injury, 60 percent had migraine-like headaches and 40 percent had headaches that interfered with their ability to do their daily activities. Thirty percent had headaches for 15 or more days each month. "Mild traumatic brain injury is occurring in 15 to 25 percent of soldiers deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan," said study author Brett J. Theeler, MD, of Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "The associated headaches can be a source of impaired occupational functioning. These findings should alert health care providers, especially those affiliated with the military or veteran health care systems, to the need to identify and properly treat headache among soldiers." The study was supported by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences through a grant from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy, and stroke. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com. The AAN 61st Annual Meeting, the world's largest gathering of neurology professionals, takes place April 25 to May 2, 2009, in Seattle. Visit www.aan.com/am for more information. Study authors are available for interviews. Please contact Jenine Anderson, janderson@aan.com or Jay Mac Bride, jmacbride@aan.com. To access 2009 AAN Annual Meeting abstracts available February 25, 2009, visit http://www.aan.com/go/science/abstracts Late-breaking abstracts will be featured in press release at the 2009 AAN Annual Meeting in Seattle.

AAN Issues Statement on New NFL Concussion Policy

ababb@aan.com — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:47:07 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Rachel Seroka, rseroka@aan.com, (651) 695-2738 Angela Babb, ababb@aan.com, (651) 695-2789 AAN Issues Statement on New NFL Concussion Policy ST. PAUL, Minn. - The American Academy of Neurology, the world's largest professional association of neurologists, is encouraged by news reports that the National Football League will soon implement a new policy requiring an independent neurologist to evaluate players who have suffered a concussion. The Academy would welcome an opportunity to work with the NFL to implement this new policy change as it is imperative that an unbiased neurologist be involved in determining when it is safe for a player to return to play. The Academy has a network of sports neurologists available nationwide who are members of the Academy's Sports Neurology Section. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com. - Robert C. Griggs, MD, FAAN, President of the American Academy of Neurology. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com or www.thebrainmatters.org. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic

AAN Launches New Book Series to Help Patients and Caregivers

ababb@aan.com — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:45:05 GMT

Following up on the success of Neurology Now®, the free and award-winning patient and caregiver magazine of the American Academy of Neurology, the Academy has announced plans to launch a new series of books for neurology patients and caregivers in 2009 to be called Neurology Now Books™. The Academy has expanded its publishing division, AAN Press, to publish this new book series. Titles planned to publish in the Neurology Now Books™ series include coping with multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and taste and smell disorders in the first year. A fourth publication is also planned for late next year. "With one in six people now affected by a neurologic disorder, there's tremendous demand for the latest information on how to best meet the needs of this fast-growing population of patients and caregivers. Neurology Now Books™ will fulfill this growing demand," said Lisa M. Shulman, MD, Editor of Neurology Now Books™, and a neurologist with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "With the experience the Academy has had in publishing Neurology Now® magazine, it's sought to advance patient care and has developed an appreciation for the needs and concerns of neurology patients and caregivers. Neurology Now Books™ will continue to further our mission of improving patient care and public understanding of disorders of the brain and nervous system," said Shulman. Each issue of Neurology Now® magazine reaches nearly one million readers. It is the only consumer magazine in the country devoted to the management of the range of neurologic disorders. The magazine offers information on treatment and cutting-edge research for such neurologic disorders as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraine, Parkinson's disease and more. For information on receiving a free subscription to Neurology Now® magazine, visit www.neurologynow.com. AAN Press through Demos Medical Publishing published an earlier series of books for neurology patients and caregivers that will continue to be available for purchase via the AAN Store™. Other AAN Press publications are Neurology®, the most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed neurology journal, Neurology Now® magazine, and Neurology Today®. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com.

Vote Now for Your Favorite 2010 Neuro Film Festival Video

ababb@aan.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:59:31 GMT

The video entries for the 2010 Neuro Film Festival are in and the public can now begin voting on its "Fan Favorite" video through March 17, 2010. Neuro Film Festival is a new contest by the American Academy of Neurology Foundation to help raise awareness through video about brain disorders and the need to support research into preventions, treatments and cures. To view and vote for your favorite video in the Neuro Film Festival contest, visit http://www.neurofilmfestival.com. "We asked the public to help us show why more brain research is needed and they answered our call," said Christine E. Phelps, Deputy Executive Director of the American Academy of Neurology Foundation. "The video entries that have been submitted are compelling, inspiring and demonstrate why more money is needed to support research into brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis and more." The video entries feature heartfelt and personal stories from people all over the world that are affected by brain disorders. The short videos cover a wide variety of conditions, from Alzheimer's disease to movement disorders. "We're grateful to the patients and their loved ones for showing the courage to share their experiences and we invite everyone to visit our website, http://www.neurofilmfestival.com, to view and vote on these powerful videos," said Phelps. Voting closes on March 17, 2010. The winner of the "Fan Favorite" award will receive a $500 prize. Two other winners will also be awarded up to $1,500 for their filmmaking skills and creativity, as decided by the festival's jury. A selection of the top videos will be screened at the Neuro Film Festival in Toronto during Stop Brain Disorders Week beginning Sunday, April 10, 2010, in conjunction with the Academy's 62nd Annual Meeting, which is the world's largest meeting of neurologists. The Neuro Film Festival is sponsored by PSAV® Presentation Services. The American Academy of Neurology Foundation (AAN Foundation) raises money to support vital research into the prevention, treatment and cure of brain disorders. The AAN Foundation is committed to improving patient care, quality of life and public understanding of the brain and other neurologic disorders. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology and the AAN Foundation, visit http://www.aan.com.

People with Common Heart Defect Also More Likely to Have Brain Aneurysms

ababb@aan.com — Mon, 03 May 2010 21:00:00 GMT

A new study shows that people with a common heart defect may also be more likely to have brain aneurysms. The study is published in the May 4, 2010, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Up to two percent of the population is born with the heart defect called a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). The aortic valve allows blood to flow from the heart to the aorta. It normally has three flaps that open and close to regulate blood flow. In people with a bicuspid aortic valve, the valve does not develop fully during gestation and there are two flaps instead of three. Some people with BAV never have any problems, but many develop narrowing or leakage of the aortic valve, especially as adults. Recent research has shown that the artery problems with BAV may also occur in the brain, and that BAV may be a connective tissue disorder. Brain aneurysms are a weakening in a brain artery that causes a bulge in the artery. "Since brain aneurysms are a treatable problem that can lead to death and disability if they rupture, we wanted to find out how common they are in people with BAV," said study author Wouter Schievink, MD, Director of Microvascular Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif. For the study, 61 people with BAV were screened for brain aneurysms, along with 291 people who did not have BAV but were undergoing scans for a suspected stroke or brain tumor during the same time period. Six of the 61 people with BAV had brain aneurysms, or 9.8 percent, compared to three of the 291 people who did not have BAV, or 1.1 percent. Studies have shown that 0.5 to two percent of the general adult population has brain aneurysms. "While more research needs to be done to confirm these results, these findings show a significant increased risk of brain aneurysms in people with bicuspid aortic valves," Schievink said. Schievink said the heart defect has been shown to cluster in families, and screening is generally recommended for close family members of people diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valves. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy and stroke. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com.

Study: Brain Injuries Tied to Trouble Sleeping

ababb@aan.com — Mon, 24 May 2010 21:00:00 GMT

People with brain injuries may produce low amounts of melatonin, which affects their sleep, according to a study published in the May 25, 2010, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. For the study, 23 people who had a severe traumatic brain injury an average of 14 months earlier and 23 healthy people of the same age spent two nights in a sleep laboratory. "We've known that people often have problems with sleep after a brain injury, but we haven't known much about the exact causes of these problems," said study author Shantha Rajaratnam, PhD, of Monash University in Victoria, Australia. The healthy people produced more melatonin than the people with brain injuries in the evening hours, when melatonin levels are supposed to rise to signal sleep. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates biological rhythms, including sleep. "These results suggest that the brain injury may disrupt the brain structures that regulate sleep, including the production of melatonin," Rajaratnam said. "Future studies should examine whether taking supplemental melatonin can improve sleep in people with brain injuries." The people with brain injuries had other differences in their sleep patterns. They spent less of their time in bed actually asleep than the healthy participants did, or a "sleep efficiency" percentage of 82 compared to 90 for the healthy group. They also spent more time awake after initially falling asleep, or an average of 62 minutes per night compared to 27 minutes for the healthy group. In addition, the people with brain injuries spent more time in non-REM sleep, in a stage of sleep called slow-wake sleep or deep sleep. Those with brain injuries spent an average of 24 percent of their time in slow-wake sleep, compared to 20 percent of the time for healthy participants. Those with brain injuries also had more symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, the researchers calculated the results to control for the anxiety and depression symptoms and still found differences in sleep patterns. The study was supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy and stroke. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com.

Soldiers with Brain Injuries at Higher Risk of Epilepsy Decades Later

ababb@aan.com — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Soldiers who receive traumatic brain injuries during war may be at a higher risk of epilepsy even decades after the brain injury occurred. The new research is published in the July 20, 2010, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "Given the better chances of survival in soldiers fighting in conflicts today, our research suggests that all veterans with a traumatic brain injury should be routinely screened for post-traumatic epilepsy, even decades after the injury," said study author Jordan Grafman, PhD, of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Md. Post-traumatic epilepsy is the most common cause of new-onset epilepsy in young adults, with nearly 30,000 new cases per year in the United States. For the study, researchers asked 199 veterans who experienced a brain injury 35 years prior whether they ever had a seizure. They were also given intelligence tests. The group underwent scans to detect brain lesions. Of the 199 people, about 44 percent developed post-traumatic epilepsy. "For a surprising 13 percent, the post-traumatic epilepsy didn't show up until more than 14 years after the brain injury," said Grafman. "This research strongly suggests that veterans with brain injury will require long-term neurology care." The study also found that the type of seizure changed over time, often becoming more severe (or causing loss of consciousness). The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as epilepsy, dystonia, migraine, Huntington's disease, and dementia. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com. VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/AANChannel TEXT: http://www.aan.com/press TWEETS: http://www.twitter.com/AANPublic

Call for Entries: Public Asked to Submit Videos to 2011 Neuro Film Festival

ababb@aan.com — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:49:06 GMT

People who have loved ones affected by a brain disorder or have been affected by a disorder themselves are encouraged to share their story by submitting a short video to the 2011 Neuro Film FestivalSM competition at http://www.neurofilmfestival.com. The second annual contest, presented by the American Academy of Foundation, aims to raise awareness through video about the need to raise more money for research into the prevention, treatment and cure of brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, autism, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The deadline for video submissions is February 15, 2011, at http://www.neurofilmfestival.com. Winners of the 2011 Neuro Film Festival could win up to $1,000 and a chance to attend the Neuro Film Festival in Hawaii on April 10, 2011, in conjunction with the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting, which is the world's largest meeting of neurologists. Last year's event was the first of its kind for the American Academy of Neurology Foundation. "The 2010 Neuro Film Festival exceeded our expectations with more than 65 videos accepted into the contest," said Christine E. Phelps, Deputy Executive Director of the American Academy of Neurology Foundation. "Because of the compelling and heartfelt stories submitted to the Neuro Film Festival, we're able to raise awareness about the need to donate to the American Academy of Neurology Foundation to support research, which may ultimately lead to treatments or cures for hundreds of devastating brain disorders." Video submissions to the Neuro Film Festival should be made at http://www.neurofilmfestival.com by February 15, 2011. Videos should be no more than five minutes in length. Each film should include the phrase, "Let's put our brains together to support brain research. Visit www.neurofilmfestival.com." A video showing how to submit to the Neuro Film Festival is available at http://www.neurofilmfestival.com, on the Neuro Film Festival's YouTube channel and via the Neuro Film Festival page on Facebook®. For a complete list of contest rules, visit http://www.neurofilmfestival.com. The Neuro Film Festival is sponsored by PSAV® Presentation Services. The American Academy of Neurology Foundation (AAN Foundation) raises money to support vital research into the prevention, treatment and cure of brain disorders. The AAN Foundation is committed to improving patient care, quality of life and public understanding of the brain and other neurologic disorders. The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy, and stroke. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology and the AAN Foundation, visit http://www.aan.com.