The Role of the Immune System in Treating Traumatic Brain Injury

TEXAS. Traumatic brain injury after a semi-truck accident or car crash can have a devastating effect on victims and their families. Victims of traumatic brain injury can suffer from cognitive effects, physical disability, memory problems, and other issues. Because traumatic brain injury can be so serious, researchers are looking into new ways to treat patients suffering from serious brain injury. According to the journal, Frontiers in Immunology, many of the symptoms and disabilities that traumatic brain injury victims suffer can be traced back to a victim’s immune system response. Victims might suffer brain damage when an accident occurs, but if a patient has an ongoing immune response to the injury, this can lead to inflammation, which can cause future and ongoing damage or impede healing.

Early research indicates that by addressing a patient’s immune response to brain injury, doctors may be able to prevent injury or protect a patient from further injury. Scientific American reports that similar immune therapies have found to be useful in reducing inflammation in stroke patients, suggesting that the treatment could also work for patients suffering from other injuries.

When the body suffers damage, the body’s natural reaction is to send an immune response to the area. The immune response also triggers inflammation. However, when the brain experiences inflammation, this can damage the delicate neurons, nerves, and connections. When neurons die, they do not regenerate. The brain’s connections are intricate and it can be tough to predict how damaging certain connections can impact an individual’s memory or behavior.

There are side effects to reducing the body’s immune response. If a patient has suffered other injuries in an accident, lowering their immune response could put them at greater risk of infection. However, doctors are finding ever more specific ways to target the brain, allowing the immune response to continue working in other areas of the body.

In animal studies, when the immune system response in the brain was inhibited, researchers found that the animals suffered less brain damage and fewer problems with movement and memory.

Researchers have also found that the inflammation response can impact the brain days, weeks, and months after brain damage or an accident takes place. Yet, other studies have found that an immune response during recovery can actually help the brain heal.

Brain injuries are incredibly complex and they require a team of doctors and rehabilitation specialists to treat. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to a semi truck accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. The Cooper Law Firm are Texas semi truck accident lawyers who may be able to help. The aftermath of an accident can be confusing and stressful, but you don’t have to go it alone. Visit us at https://www.cooper-law-firm.com/ to learn more about your rights and options under the law.

 

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