Concussions: A Real Breakthrough

CBS in Los Angeles has reported an exciting breakthrough in the treatment of concussions and other brain injuries. James Lechleiter, a professor, has proposed a pill that, when given soon after the injury, can prevent the worst symptoms of concussions. This is the first potential true breakthrough in the treatment of this devastating condition.

Concussions continue to be a hot button issue, especially with professional and high school sports, but the ramifications of this treatment extend far past football players and other athletes. Thousands of people suffer a concussion every year, and there are currently few treatments available other than rest. And rest, though it allows most of the symptoms to fade, is no guarantee against long term effects such as migraines and memory loss.

So far testing is still at the animal cell stage, but Lechleiter is already looking towards human trials. These trials cannot come soon enough, as the fast-paced modern lifestyle has caused concussions to become commonplace. Some of the most common causes include:

• Playground injuries
• Car and bicycle accidents
• Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and other winter activities
• Workplace accidents
• Bicycling and motorcycle accidents

Concussion research is only now getting the attention it deserves, because for too long people wrote off concussions as a temporary illness. Now that we know more about the long-term effects of concussions on the brain, it is important that we do everything we can to develop proper treatments.

If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion, be it on the playground or at the workplace, and you suspect negligence might have been a contributing factor, please contact a lawyer. The dangerous circumstances that led to your injury will remain in place until someone pushes to fix them, and oftentimes it takes an expert to know exactly how to push for these changes.