March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the serious and often life-altering effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Car accidents are a major cause of these injuries, leaving many people struggling with lasting cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges. A sudden jolt in a crash can cause the brain to slam against the inside of the skull, leading to concussions, brain swelling, or internal bleeding.
Despite medical advances, treatment options for TBIs remain limited. But now, researchers are exploring a new nasal spray that may help reduce brain inflammation and improve recovery, offering fresh hope for those affected.
How could nasal spray change TBI treatment?
Scientists at Mass General Brigham have been studying a groundbreaking approach to treating TBIs. This one doesn’t require surgery or invasive procedures. Their research focuses on a nasal spray designed to target neuroinflammation, one of the main culprits behind the long-term effects of brain injuries.
The treatment uses a monoclonal antibody called Foralumab, a drug previously tested for conditions like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. In trials with mice that had moderate-to-severe brain injuries, researchers found that the nasal spray helped regulate the immune system’s response, which reduced inflammation in the brain. As a result, the mice showed improved motor function, less anxiety, and fewer cognitive issues. These are key indicators that the treatment could work for humans as well.
Currently, most TBI treatments focus on managing symptoms rather than repairing damage. Since inflammation is a major factor in long-term brain injury effects, this nasal spray could be a game-changer by offering a way to stop the damage at its source rather than just treating the aftermath.
What are the real-world applications of nasal spray TBI treatment?
While this research is still in the early stages, scientists believe the nasal spray could open the door to new possibilities in brain injury treatment. The next step is to move from animal testing to human clinical trials to determine if the treatment is both safe and effective for patients.
This treatment could benefit car accident victims, stroke patients, athletes, and others who experience acute brain injuries. If the nasal spray proves successful in human trials, it could become one of the first real treatment options for TBIs, not just something that manages symptoms but actually helps the brain heal.
What does this mean for brain injury patients?
The potential impact of this treatment goes far beyond simply reducing pain or discomfort. Chronic inflammation in the brain has been linked to memory loss, mood disorders, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Addressing inflammation early could help prevent these long-term complications and give patients a better chance at recovery and a higher quality of life.
While the nasal spray is still in development, this research represents a shift in how brain injuries are treated. Those affected by TBIs should continue seeking immediate medical care and legal support if their injury resulted from someone else’s negligence.
Common types of TBIs caused by car accidents
Most car accident TBIs can happen in a variety of ways. Here are some common examples of how they occur:
- Concussions occur when the brain strikes the inside of the skull during rapid acceleration/deceleration. They're the most common type of TBI in car accidents, often happening during rear-end or head-on collisions when the head snaps forward and backward.
- Contusions (brain bruising) happen when the brain impacts the skull with sufficient force to damage blood vessels and tissue. In car accidents, these can result from direct head impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or window.
- Diffuse axonal injuries occur when strong rotational forces tear nerve tissue throughout the brain. These are particularly common in high-speed crashes or rollovers where the brain rotates violently inside the skull.
- Penetrating injuries happen when objects penetrate the skull and damage brain tissue directly. In car accidents, these can result from shattered glass, metal fragments, or other debris entering the skull.
- Coup-contrecoup injuries involve damage at both the impact site and the opposite side of the brain. These occur when the force of impact is strong enough to slam the brain against the opposite side of the skull.
- Subdural/epidural hematomas (bleeding between brain layers) often result from torn blood vessels during impact. These can develop slowly and become life-threatening as pressure builds inside the skull.
How a car accident lawyer can help after a traumatic brain injury
If you or someone you love has suffered a TBI in a New Orleans car accident, the aftermath could be filled with medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional toll of recovery. It can feel like your entire life has been turned upside down. But you don’t have to take on these challenges alone. The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC is here to help.
Insurance companies often try to downplay the severity of a brain injury or blame the victim for the accident, all in an attempt to avoid paying what’s fair. Attorney John S. Williams knows these tactics well and won’t let them stand in the way of justice. He will fight for the compensation you deserve to cover your losses, including current and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let us handle everything so you can focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation, and learn how we can help you move forward after a traumatic brain injury.
"Attorney John S Williams fights long and hard for his clients. He handled a case for me before, and the results were so outstanding, and now I am back for him to handle a second case…" – D.A., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐