Topical Collection

New Developments in Brain Injury

Editor

Lynne Ann Barker, PhD Reader in Cognitive Neuroscience

Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom

Website | E-Mail

Research Interests: Neuropsychology; Cognitive Neuroscience; Brain Trauma; Cognitive assessment; Biomarkers of Neuropathology, Novel Interventions and Therapeutics

Topical Collection Information

Estimates of incidence of brain injury across the globe vary considerably, but it is clear that brain injury remains a major cause of death and disability, particularly in youth. Advances in critical care mean that most have normal life expectancy but quality of life is frequently, sometimes devastatingly, compromised. There is an urgent need for new approaches, interventions, therapies, treatments and diagnostic tools that better assess real world capacity and draw on new technologies and advances in science. One particular topic of interest is inconsistency around severity diagnosis (e.g. when to start measuring PTA and GCS, particularly if someone is in a coma or the injury is mild in nature,) and the impact this has on brain injury statistics and rehabilitation. It is a critical priority to develop new ways of standardizing this process. In this special edition we invite submissions that specifically embrace this new spirit of innovation in brain injury assessment, treatment and research. Our aim is to showcase new, inventive and original approaches to longstanding issues in brain injury research and neurorehabilitation.

Planned Papers

Title: Role of Erythropoietin in Brain Injury
Authors: Stephana Carelli , Michele Samaja
Affiliation: Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Italy
Abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO), widely known as an erythropoietic hormone, is recognized as a protective messenger in several biological systems, including the cerebrovascular. A downstream protein whose synthesis is triggered by hypoxia-related stresses, EPO exerts its anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects through its receptor and the activation of the STAT3 pathways, as demonstrated especially in traumatic spinal cord injury. However, it appears that EPO may be related to non-hypoxia-related pathways, such as in Parkinson’s disease, and that hyperoxia, a condition opposite to hypoxia, may be as deleterious as hypoxia in generating brain injury. We will review these mechanisms, evaluating also the potential use of EPO mimics as potential therapeutic targets.

Title: Matrix metalloproteinases in central nervous system development and repair
Authors: Holly Colognato
Affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8651, USA

Title: Analysis of 16 Coils Over 50 MRI-derived Head Models in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Philippe simon
Affiliation: Recherche clinique, Hôpital d’Instruction des Armées Sainte-Anne, Toulon, France

Publication (15 papers)