Traumaticbraininjuriesareasignificantpublic
healthconcern,andspecializedtraumaticbrain injurytreatmentprovidersplayanimportantroleto helppatientsrecoverandregaintheirqualityoflife.As technologyadvances,theseprovidersfindinnovativeways toimprovepatientoutcomesandexpandaccessto specializedcare.
Oneareaoffocusforspecializedtraumaticbraininjury treatmentprovidersisusingtechnologytoenhancepatient care.Advancedneuroimagingtechniquesandspecialized toolsforcognitiverehabilitationhavesignificantly improveddiagnosticaccuracyandallowedformore effectiverehabilitationandrecovery Telemedicinehasalso madespecializedcaremoreaccessible,mainlyforpatients inruralorunderservedareas.
Collaborativeeffortsbetweenspecializedtraumaticbrain injurytreatmentprovidersandotherhealthcare professionalshavealsoplayedavitalroleinimproving patientoutcomes.Byworkingtogether,theseproviderscan providecomprehensivecarethataddressesbothphysical andcognitiveimpairments.Additionally,research partnershipsbetweenprovidersandacademicinstitutions canleadtoadvancementsinTBItreatmentandimprove patientoutcomesinthefuture.
However,despitetheimportanceofspecializedtraumatic braininjurytreatmentproviders,accesstotheseservices
remainschallengingformanypatients.Barrierssuchas cost,insurancecoverageandgeographiclocationcan preventpatientsfromreceivingthenecessarycare.To addresstheseissues,increasedfundingandexpanded insurancecoverageareneededtoensureallpatientshave accesstospecializedtraumaticbraininjurytreatment.
Therefore,specializedtraumaticbraininjurytreatment providersarecrucialinhelpingpatientsrecoverfromthis devastatingcondition.Theuseoftechnologyand collaborativecareeffortshaveledtosignificant advancementsinTBItreatment,andcontinuedinnovation intheseareaswillbekeytoimprovingpatientoutcomesin thefuture.However,addressingbarrierstoaccessiscrucial toensurethatallpatientscanbenefitfromspecialized traumaticbraininjurytreatment.
InsightsCare'slatestedition,10SpecializedTraumatic BrainInjuryTreatmentProviders2023,walksyou throughtheexpertiseanddedicationofhealthcare professionalsinprovidingspecializedcareandsupportthe patientsneedtoovercomethechallengesofthisdevastating condition.
Hope you have an amazing read!
-PoojaShah
Company Name
Person name
Shai Efrati
Aviv Clinics aviv-clinics.com
Co-Founder and Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board
Baptist Health baptisthealth.com
Kit Fullenlove PR
Aviv Clinics’s number-one mission is to improve the aging process by optimizing cognitive and physical performance.
The Baptist Health family consists of more than 400 points of care, including outpatient facilities, physician practices and services, urgent care clinics, outpatient diagnostic and surgery centers, home care, fitness centers, and occupational medicine and physical therapy clinics.
Brainwave brainwave.org.uk
Mitochon Pharmaceuticals mitochonpharma.com
National Organization for Rare Disorders rarediseases.org
NeuroRestorative neurorestorative.com
Joanne Freeman Mkt
Brainwave is committed to helping children with disabilities reach their potential through specialist Therapy Programmes, delivered by qualified therapists
John Geisler CSO
Mitochon Pharmaceuticals is a start-up biotech company that focuses on developing drugs that target the mitochondria for a host of serious diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Lisa Sencen MM
The National Organization for Rare Disorders, is an independent patient advocacy organization dedicated to helping individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.
Lisa Collins CEO
NeuroRestorative is a leading provider of subacute and postacute rehabilitation services for people of all ages with brain, spinal cord and medically complex injuries, illnesses and other challenges.
One Rehabilitation Service onerehabilitationservice.com.au
Rehabilitation Institute of Washington rehabwashington
The Barnes Firm Injury Attorneys thebarnesfirm.com
Megan Tan Managing Director
One Rehabilitation Service provides rehabilitation and disability services to people with brain injuries, stroke or other neurological conditions.
Heather Kroll MD
Rehabilitation Institute of Washington offers comprehensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation for injured workers with chronic pain and traumatic brain injury
Erica Burzynski Marketing Director
The experienced personal injury attorneys at the Barnes Firm Injury Attorneys focus on helping innocent victims who have been injured in accidents.
The Children's Trust thechildrenstrust.org
Michelle Lopez MM
The Children's Trust’s ambition is for all children with brain injury to have the opportunity to live the best life possible.
It is more likely for an athlete that has suffered a head injury to quickly return to the game than an athlete who has sprained an ankle. When a brain injury happens, it is imperative that the person rest and monitor their symptoms, just as they would with a physical injury. When symptoms persist, medical attention should be sought, and that’s where Aviv Clinics steps in.
Dr Shai Efrati Chair, Medical Advisory Board of Aviv Scienti c Aviv Clinics
Throughouttime,scientificdiscoveries,new understandingsandinventionshaveallowed humansnewwaystoheal,makingthembetterand stronger Withsuchdimensionsofthescientificcommunity ingeneralandthehealthcarecommunityinparticular,the humanbrainremainsreveredasthemostcomplex, mysteriousandstudiedhumanorganthroughresearchand development.
AvivClinicshasrunthescientificprincipleatthecoreofits operationssince2017.Throughitshealthybrain performanceprograms,theclinicperformsindividually tailoredtreatmentstohelpitsclientshealfrombrain-related digressionorinjury,whileexceedingnewlevelsofbrain andbodyfunctionstandards.
ThroughtheleadershipofDr.ShaiEfrati,theChairof MedicalAdvisoryBoardforAvivScientific,theclinichas successfullytreatedover10,000clientsunderAviv protocols.Consequently,amajorityofthemhavemarked animprovementintheircognitivefunctionpost-Aviv treatment.
Mostofthedamagetothebrainisultimatelycausedbya decreaseinbloodflowresultingfromtheinjury.Decreased bloodflowmeansinsufficientoxygendeliverytothe
damagedtissue.Inthesesituations,thebraincannot properlyhealonitsown.
Braininjuriescanbecomplextodiagnosewithoutthe correcttools.Thedamageappearsclearlyinscansin instancesresultinginmoderatetoseverebraininjury However,incaseswherethedamageismild,the anatomicalscansshowa“normal”brainwhichis misleading.Thiscanleadtomisdiagnosisofthebrain injuryoroftheseverityoftheinjuryandcreatemore difficultiesforthepatientbecausethecauseoftheir symptomsismisunderstood.
Itisnotuncommontoseeissueslikeirritability,anxiety, difficultyfocusing,memoryproblems,restlessness,and morewrittenoffasbehavioralconditionswithout acknowledgingabraininjuryastherootcause.Inthesefar toofrequentinstances,people,includingchildren,go withoutpropertreatmenttoaddressthebraininjury directlyandareoftenprescribedmedicationforthese symptomsthattheydonotneed.
Thebenchmarksforrecognizingsymptomsof damagefromconcussionorbraininjuryare dependentonthepatient.However,ifphysical andcognitivefunctionshavenotrecoveredafter
To accurately determine if post-concussion syndrome is happening, the patient should seek an advanced, high-resolution scan like Single Photo Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT) and MRI with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). These tests are among those done at Aviv Clinics, where our team of brain experts are able to assess the extent of the injury and create a plan to treat the damage in the brain, as well as improve and enhance the patients’ overall cognitive and physical performance.
threemonthsfollowingtheinjury,thepatientis experiencingwhatisreferredtoasapost-concussion syndrome.
Someofthemostcommonsymptomsincludephysical concernslikeheadaches,dizziness,blurredordouble vision,andlightsensitivity,aswellasbehavioral indicationslikeproblemswithconcentrationand/or memory,thinkingorspeakingmoreslowly,depression, anxiety,andirritability.
Ingeneral,anysymptomsthatoccurorpersistafterthe three-monthperiodfollowingtheinitialinjuryaresignsthat furtherfunctionalitytestingisrequired.Thethree-month markisimportantbecauseitisunlikelythatthese neurocognitivefunctionswillreturntonormaliftheyhave notalready.Atthispoint,apersonshouldvisitan experiencedbrainclinic,likeAvivClinics,togetthebest possiblediagnosisandtreatment.
“To accurately determine if post-concussion syndrome is happening, the patient should seek an advanced, highresolution scan like Single Photo Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT) and MRI with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI),”suggestsDr.Efrati.
He adds, “These tests are among those done at Aviv Clinics, where our team of brain experts is able to assess the extent of the injury and create a plan to treat the damage in the brain, as well as improve and enhance the patients’overall cognitive and physical performance.”
Underdiagnosisoccursbecausemedicalprofessionalsare notconditionedtolookatthebraintosolvetheproblemat thesource,especiallyinyouthpatients.Whenchildrenare broughtintotheemergencyroomorthephysician’soffice, theirsymptomsaretypicallywrittenoffasotherconditions withoutconsiderationofpost-concussionsyndrome.
InarecentstudyconductedbyDr.Efrati,alongsidehis colleagues–theyexploredthediagnosisofpost-concussive syndromeinchildren.Bycomparingchildrenwhohadbeen admittedtotheemergencyroomforheadinjuriestoa controlgroupofchildrenwhovisitedtheERbecauseof wristfractures,theyfoundthat25%ofthosewhohad sufferedaheadinjuryreportedpost-concussionsymptoms monthsorevenyearslater,whilejustover2%ofthe controlgroupdid.
Afterevaluatingeachchild’selectronicmedicalrecords, Dr.Efratiandhiscolleaguesdeterminedthatnoneof thepediatricpatientswithpersistentpost-concussion symptomswerecategorizedordiagnosed.The diagnosiswasmissedmoreoftenthannotinthese childrenwithbraininjury–whichisanalarming discovery.
Awarenesscanbesupportedwithappropriate solutions,startingwithimplementingproper screeningguidelines,includingbrainscans.“It also comes down to treating the wound. Wounds
Our research demonstrates that HBOT, when administered with precise uctuations in oxygen levels, can also induce angiogenesis and neurogenesis, the development of new blood vessels and neurons in the brain.
Most importantly, our clinical work suggests that our unique HBOT treatment can improve cognitive abilities, including memory, learning, concentration, attention, and decision-making, as well as quality of life, even years after a brain injury
in the brain should be treated as any other wound on the body. We are too quick to diagnose brain wounds in children as psychological issues rather than as a result of brain injury,”statesDr.Efrati.
Whenabraininjuryisleftuntreated,aperson’soverall functionalitydeclinesovertime,ands/hecannotlivelife theways/heusedto.Theoverallqualityoflifeisatrisk,as wellasindependenceandcognitivefunction.
Peoplewithpersistentpost-concussivesymptomscanbe impactedinmanyways.Somewillstruggletothinkclearly orhavememoryissues.Somewillbeunabletosleep,while otherswillconstantlybefatiguedandsleep12hoursaday ormore.Theycanhavepain,headaches,visionproblems andemotionalandpsychologicalsymptoms,allofwhich caninhibittheirwork,schoolandinterpersonal relationships.
“It’simportantthatbrainhealthistreatedthesamewayas physicalhealthistreated.Butrightnow,thatisnot happening,”putsDr.Efrati.
Hesharesagoodexampleofhowconcussionsarehandled inathletes.Henotes,“It is more likely for an athlete that has suffered a head injury to quickly return to the game than an athlete who has sprained an ankle. When a brain injury happens, it is imperative that the person rest and monitor their symptoms just as they would with a physical injury. When symptoms persist, medical attention should be sought, and that’s where Aviv Clinics steps in.”
AvivClinicsisaplacethatiscommittedtoitsgoalof providingpatientswiththebestqualityofcaretoheal damageandachievepeakbrainandbodyperformance.In ordertoattainitsobjective,Avivconsidersthefullhealth pictureofeachpatient.Aviv’sworld-classteamof physicians,dietitians,neuropsychologists,physiotherapists, andclinicalstaffremainsthepriority.
Fromstarttofinish,Aviv’smedicalprogramstartswitha pre-assessment,whichincludesanextremelythorough physicalassessment,cellulartesting,acognitiveevaluation andhigh-resolutionbrainimaging,whichcanincludean MRI,SPECTscan,oracombinationofboth.Basedonthe results,Aviv’steamofmulit-disciplinedclinicians determinewhetherthepatientisasuitablecandidatefor theprogram.Forthosewhoare,theirindividualneeds willbeaddressedinatailoredtreatmentprotocol,which canconsistofcognitivetherapy,nutritionalcoaching,a physiotherapyprogramandHyperbaricOxygen Therapy(HBOT).
Thetreatmenthelpstorevivethedamagedtissue fromtraumaticexperiencesthataffectthebrainby increasingthesupplyofoxygentothoseareas.
“Our research demonstrates that HBOT, when administered with precise fluctuations in oxygen levels, can also induce angiogenesis and neurogenesis, the development of new blood vessels and neurons in the brain. Most importantly, our clinical work suggests that our unique HBOT treatment can improve cognitive abilities, including memory, learning, concentration, attention, and decision-making, as well as the quality of life, even years after a brain injury,” concludesDr.Efrati.
It also comes down to treating the wound. Wounds in the brain should be treated as any other wound on the body. We are too quick to diagnose brain wounds in children as psychological issues rather than as a result of brain injury
It'saheartbreakingphrasethatLindenPerryandhermother Carissaheardrepeatedlyfromdoctorswhocouldn'ttreatLinden's post-concussionsymptoms.
Theirconcussionjourneybeganwithaseeminglyminorbumpon theheadatasoccerpracticeandafallthenextweekplaying basketball.CarissaanxiouslywatchedLinden'ssymptomsgrow fromdizziness,nauseaandlightsensitivitytodifficulty concentrating,shorttermmemoryissuesanddoublevision.
Evenafterafewweeks,Lindendidn'tfeelbetter.Shewasunable topassthecognitivetestsneededtoreturntosports.Worse,she begantostruggleinschool,somethinguncommonforthe advancedplacementhonorsstudent.
Soon,visitingmedicalspecialistsbecameafull-timejobfor CarissaandLinden.Lindenwasseeinganeurologist,an ophthalmologist,achiropractorandaneuro-ophthalmologist whilealsoundergoingvestibularrehab,occupationaltherapyand visiontherapy,oftenwithmultipleappointmentsinasingleday
Yetimprovementswereminimalatbest.Doctorssuggestedthat theremaynotbeananswerforLinden,andrecommended therapyandantidepressants.
"Shestoppedbelievingshewasevergoingbewhoshewas before,"Carissaexplains."That'sreallyhardasaparentto watch."
AfamilyacquaintancewithconnectionstotheNFLsuggested thattheycontactDr.JosephMaroon,theteamneurosurgeonfor thePittsburghSteelersandaspecialistinconcussionprevention andtreatment.AfterDr.MaroontoldCarissaaboutAvivClinics, motheranddaughtermadethedecisiontoenrollLindeninhome schoolsotheycouldtraveltoFloridafora12-weektreatment program.
Linden'scustomizedAvivMedicalProgramincludedphysical therapy,cognitivetrainingandnutritionalcoaching,allwith expertclinicians.ShealsospenttwohoursadaywithotherAviv clientsinauniquehyperbaricoxygensuite,makingnewfriends whileworkingtorecovertheareasofherbrainthatwere damaged.
Withherbalancebacktonormal,herheadachesandbrainfog dissipated,andhervisionimproved,Lindenwasbackonthefield withherteammateswithindaysofcompletingtheAvivMedical Program.Sheisexcitedtore-enrollinschoolinthefall,andis thrilledtofinallyfeellikeherselfagain.
"Wecan'thelpyou."
MitochonPharmaceuticalswaslaunchedin November2014withjointseedmoneyfrom BenFranklinTechnologyPartnersandprivate investors.MitochonwasfoundedbyRobertAlonso,MBA, andJohnGeisler,Ph.D.,withthegoalofcreatingdiseasemodifyingtreatmentsforavarietyofneurological conditionswithunmetmedicalneeds,suchasALS, Huntington'sdisease,andtraumaticbraininjury(TBI).The thesisofMitochon'sapproachisthatifyoubolster mitochondrialhealththroughamechanismknownas mitochondrialuncoupling,meaningful pro-survival benefits occurandbraincellsareprotectedfromdamagingdisease processes.
Dr.Geisler'spost-doctoralworkatPfizerandYale Universityinmetabolicdisease,taughthimthatthereare masterswitches(proteinstotargetwithmedicines)thatcan haveaprofoundeffectondiseaseprogression.This knowledgebecamethethemeofhissubsequentworkin drugdiscoveryworkingattherootsofproblems.By removingfatfromtheliverandmusclecellsthatcause insulinresistance,theaimwastoweanindividualsoffthe insulinandcuretheirdiabetes.
UndertheleadershipofJohnG.Geisler,ChiefScientific OfficerandCo-founder,Mitochonisworkingon developingtwodrugs,MP101forrarediseases(orphan indications)andMP201forlargermarketssuchas Alzheimer's,Parkinson's,TBI,etc.MP101hasongoing clinicalstudiesnow,whereasMP201isjuststartingthe GLPtoxicologystudiestoworktowardsanFDA-approved openIND.
Below are highlights of the interview that give insights about Mitochon Pharmaceuticals' work resolving major health complications with the help of modern technological advancements.
WhatarethecorevaluesthatMitochon Pharmaceuticalsstandsby?Whatisitsmissionand visionstatement?
Comingfromworkingatanumberofpharmaceutical companies,Ithinkthattherearetwomajorthemeswe establishedatMitochon.
1)Wehave"nosilos"inthatwegoafteranyindication (neuro,cancer,pulmonary,pain,ataxia,muscular dystrophies,trauma,etc.)aslongasitisrootedin mitochondrialdysfunctionandtrulyaninsidious(timesensitive)diseases.
2)Wearenotworriedabouthowbigthemarketisforthe indicationwearepursuing;rather,wewanttofillaneedfor doctorstohelptheirpatients.Forinstance,myexpertiseis diabetesandobesity,butwehavenotpursuedthese indicationsastherearealotofmedicinestotreatthese diseases,butthereisagreatneedinneurodegenerationin areassuchasALS,Huntington'sdisease,MS,TBI, Parkinson'sdisease,Alzheimer'sdisease,etc.Wearekeenly interestedinthisareabecauseourplatformappearstobe pan-neuroprotectivebymodulatingtheentiremitochondrial physiologyofthisorganelle,whichiscentraltothehealth ofallcells.
Howisyourcompanyincorporatingadvancing technologyinprovidingtheConcussionandTBI treatmenttofurthercustomerreachaswellaschartits growthupwards?
Mitochon'sconcernswithTBIisthat"today'sconcussion patientoftenbecomestomorrow'sdementiapatient."Itmay appearbleak,butthereisareallinkwithaging,andaneed foranearly-immediatetreatmentthatisbrainpenetrantand
Mitochon's concerns with TBI is that "today's concussion patient often becomes tomorrow's dementia patient." It may appear bleak, but there is a real link with aging, and a need for an early-immediate treatment that is brain penetrant and quiets down the mitochondria post-trauma.
John G. Geisler Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder Mitochon Pharmaceuticals
quietsdownthemitochondriapost-trauma.Aftertrauma, thecellsareunderenormousstressthatsetsupprogrammed celldeaththroughthemitochondria,whichrequires immediateattention,notonlyfromtheareaofdirectimpact butalsofromtheneighboringcellsunderattackthatIcall the"threatenedtissue."Thereisalsoaneedforthosewho don'tgettreatment,butarenowolderandneedatreatment topush-offdementia.Oneofourfirststudieswasina modelofAlzheimer'sDisease(AD)with4monthsof treatmentwithMp101.
Thisproof-of-conceptstudywascriticallyimportant becauseitshowedthatthisoralonce-per-daytreatment enhanced cognition,astheADmicelearnedfastertofind thehiddenplatformintheMorrisWaterMaze,andwhen theplatformwasremovedforthefinalexam,theybecame obsessedforthreedayswithwhereit used to be.Lossof short-termmemoryisthehallmarkofADandarrowsare pointingatthemitochondrialdysfunctionasanearly
Dr. Geisler grew up in St. Clair Shores, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Michigan State University with a B.S. in biochemistry, he took a job to get his "sea legs," first as a technician at Abbott Laboratories in Diagnostic Discovery in Chicago for 5year-olds, before returning to graduate school for a Ph.D. in genetics at Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL) from the University of Tennessee.
A dueling postdoctoral fellowship at Pfizer (Groton) and Yale University pulled Dr. Geisler into applying his skills to metabolic disease and his interests in whole body flux. Isis (now Ionis) San Diego recruited him for drug discovery and the inception of new targets starting at the mRNA level with this platform based on antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). Much of the focus was on targeting fat transporters to attempt to partition fat out of the liver.
Subsequently, Dr. Geisler was recruited to join the newly established diabetes team at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development (JnJ PRD) in Spring House, PA. Much of the work at JnJ was in small molecules, but from the prior work at Ionis, he was pulled into a new collaboration with JnJ and Ionis using ASOs for diabetes targets. The overarching theme of Dr. Geisler's work was to push for "disease modifying" therapies vs. "incremental" medicine. Raised in a family of five siblings on a modest means, by parents who grew up during the Great Depression, served in WWII, and worked hard, whom themselves came from Swiss/German immigrants, inspired Dr. Geisler not to squander the gifts provided and push the boundaries with the time provided of finding meaningful medicines. This is what he believes is the essence of Mitochon. The idea may appear unorthodox, but the pharmacology is spot-on physiologically
up-streameventtriggeringprogression.Therefore, resolvingthisdysfunctionwithourmitochondrialspecific drugs,MP101orMP201,theymaycurbsubsequent memorylossandperhapseven enhance cognition!
BecauseofthiscombinationoftheworkinADandTBI,it hashelpedsecurejointfundingfromtheBrightFocus Foundation,specializedinADresearchandMedical TechnologyEnterpriseConsortium(MTEC),military focused,tolookcloseratanissueparticulartothemilitary populationthatlargelygoesunnoticedbythecivilian population,namelythedamagecausedbyrepetitiveblast wavetrauma.
Whenasoldierthrowsahandgrenade,breachesawall,or pullsthetriggeronahowitzer,thereisashockwaveofair thatpenetratestheorgans,spinalfluiduptothebrain,the ears,eyesandlungs,andrattlesthewholebrain,causing initiallymilddamage,butmorepenetratingandlasting issueswithrepetition.However,wealsohaveTBIworkin whatwecall"classical"TBI,whichlooksmorelikeacar crashorclunkonthehead.Acuteheadinjuryisassociated withveryhighmitochondrial-derivedfreeradical productionthatdamagesproteins,lipidsandchromosomes andtoxicityduetocalciumoverloadthatcausescelldeath (apoptosis).
Mitochon'sobjectivesaretocompleteGLPtoxicology studieswithourseconddrug,MP201,withenhanced pharmacologyandtobeginclinicalstudiesforTBIat traumaunitsinallmajorcitiesacrosstheUnitedStates.We willalsoseekapprovaltoconductclinicalstudieson militarypatientswhohaveexperiencedrepetitiveblast wavetrauma.Thiscansignificantlyimpactthefieldfor optimaloutcomemeasuresduringanunfortunateeventby providingsoldiersanimmediatedeliveryofaninjectable MP201formulationinremotelocations,whilebuyingtime togettransportedtoaclinicalunit.
Whatarethekeyproductsandservicesofthecompany, andhowisitimpactingthedemographicconcerned?
MitochonisinPhaseIclinicalstudiesnowintheUSAwith MP101andgearingupforaPhaseI/IIa"basketstudy"in Europescheduledforthesummerof2023inthreedifferent indications:ALS,MSandHuntington'sdisease,but uniquelyalltreatedwithMP101as one indication.Most,if notall,neurodegenerativediseaseshaveacentralissuethat isrootedinmitochondrialdysfunction,andMP101appears toresolvethisproblem.Infact,notonlyneurodegenerative diseases,butwearefindingthatmanydiseases(cancer, heart,pulmonary,intestinal,etc.),ingeneral,appeartohave mitochondrialdysfunction.
What,accordingtoyou,arethechallengesfacedin supplyingspecializedservicesintheindustryyouare serving?Howisthecompany,withyourableguidance, turningthemintoopportunities?
Mitochondriaareinallcells,andtherearethousandsper cell.Asyouage,thepopulationmovesfrombeing homogenoustobeingheterogenous,or,asweliketosay, mosaic.Somemitochondriaproducealotofenergy(ATP) andlowamountsoffreeradicalsthatcandamageDNA, proteins,andlipids.Incontrast,othermitochondriaproduce lowamountsofATP,butarehighproducersofdamaging freeradicals.Ourdrugsareuniqueinshiftingthe mitochondrialpopulationfrommosaictohomogenous. Sincethehealthofthemitochondrial“population”is criticalforthehealthofthecellinthissymbiotic relationship,ourplatformappearstobebeneficialforahost ofdiseases.
Asanexperiencedleader,whatadvicewouldyouliketo givetoaspiringentrepreneursandenthusiastswhowish toventureintothecompetitiveindustrythatyouare serving?
Youngscientistswillaccumulateknowledgefromreading literature,hands-onexperimentsthataresuccessfulandfail, andfromcolleagues,mentorsandconferences.These acquiredexperiencesthenpropelyoutowardtheformation ofnew,originalideasofyourown.Youhavetoknowwhen yourideashavemerit,eventhoughothersmaytellyouthey donot.Papersfromhighimpact-factorjournalsand "thoughtleaders"canbecompleterubbish,establishing scientificallyuntruedogmasthatmovethedirectionof researchfor10–20yearsinthewrongdirection.Soit becomestrickytogetoffthattrackandbackontothe directionofscienceagain.
Workinginbigpharmataughtmethattherearealotof decisionsmadeonthedirectionofresearchthathave nothingtodowithscience.Ifleadershipissellingyouon whatcanandcannotbedone,determineifitisrootedin scienceorotherthingslikeriskadversity,politics,alackof sophistication,knowledgeoralloftheabove.Ifyouarein "discovery",theinceptionofnewideas,itiscriticalthatthe toneoftheteam'sbrainstormingsessionsbeinvitingfor everyone intheroomtoshareideas,especiallyforthe brilliant,butmorereservedminds.Thereisagreatbenefit toinitiallyworkingforbigcompanies.So,gotobig companiestolearnabouttheindustry,butknowwhenitis timetoleaveifyouarepushedtoburyyourideasorwork onincrementalprojects.Youdon'twantallofyourtime absorbedwithnothingtoshow,andweneedreallyfresh mindsworkingonthehardstuffthatareinspired.Question
everything,read a lot,mulloverideasoften,andstayon tracktoenableyourideas!
Whatarethefuturegoalsofyourcompanyandhowhas itenvisionedtoscaleitsoperationsandreachin2022 andbeyond?
OurimmediategoalsaretocompletePhaseIinhumansand getintoalltheproof-of-conceptstudiesinpatientswitha hostofdiseasestoopentheboxcompletely.Weneedto completetheMP101longtoxicologypackagetogetinto criticallong-termchronicstudiesforpatientswithALS, Huntington's,etc.Theseareallveryexpensivestudies,so wearelookingforinvestorstohelpusacceleratethese programsandothers.
Weareexcitedaboutsomenewworkincysticfibrosis (fundedbyEmily’sEntourage)thatappearstobepromising andwillhopefullyleadtoaclinicalstudy Theongoing workinTBI(severeheadconcussions)isquiterobustin thatwehaveprojectsfocusedonclassicTBIatthe UniversityofKentuckyandChildren'sHospitalof Philadelphia(CHOP).Still,wealsohaveblastwavetrauma researchfocusedonthebrain,eyesandhearing.This researchinvolvesMP201,aslow-releasedrugsimilarto MP101.Ourgoalsaretocompletethepreclinicalpackages andtheGLPtoxicologyworktogetanFDA-approvedopen INDtosubsequentlytestpatientswithsevereconcussions. Ofcourse,theultimategoalistoobtainFDAapprovalfor thesedrugsasaonce-dailyoraldrugthatactivates compensatorypathwaysforsurvivalasadisease-modifying agentfortrulyinsidiousdiseases.
Concussionsandtraumaticbraininjuries(TBI)area
growingconcernworldwide,withanestimated69 millioncasesoccurringannually Whilemost peoplerecoverfullyfromaconcussionormildTBI,others mayexperiencelong-termeffectsthatcanimpacttheir qualityoflife.Innovativeapproachestoconcussionand TBItreatmentarehelpingtoaddressthisissue,offering newhopeforpatientsandtheirfamilies.
Let's understand in detail the various innovative approaches!
Virtualrealitytherapyisaninnovativeapproachto concussionandTBItreatmentthatusestechnologytocreate
immersiveenvironmentsthatcanhelppatientsrecover This therapyworksbystimulatingthebraininawaythatcan promotehealingandimprovecognitivefunction.
Virtualrealitytherapycanbeusedinseveralways.For example,patientsmaybeimmersedinavirtual environmentthatsimulatesreal-worldexperiences,suchas walkinginaparkordrivingacar.Thiscanhelppatients regaincognitiveandphysicalabilitiesthatmayhavebeen lostduetotheirinjury.Virtualrealitytherapymayalso simulatecognitivetasks,suchasmemorygamesor problem-solvingexercises,tohelppatientsregaincognitive function.
Virtualrealitytherapyiseffectiveinimprovingcognitive functioninpatientswithTBI.Arecentstudyfoundthat
patientswhoreceivedvirtualrealitytherapysignificantly improvedtheircognitivefunctioncomparedtotraditional therapy.Virtualrealitytherapymayalsobemoreengaging andenjoyableforpatients,makingitamoreeffective therapyoverall.
Neurofeedbackisanotherinnovativeapproachto concussionandTBItreatmentthatusestechnologyto promotehealingandimprovecognitivefunction.This therapygivespatientsreal-timefeedbackabouttheirbrain activity,allowingthemtolearnhowtocontroltheir brainwavesandimprovetheircognitivefunction.
Duringaneurofeedbacksession,patientswearacapwith sensorsthatmeasuretheirbrainwaves.Theinformationis thendisplayedonacomputerscreeninreal-time,allowing patientstoseehowtheirbrainwaveschange.Patientscan thenlearntocontroltheirbrainwavesusingrelaxation, visualizationandmindfulnesstechniques.
Neurofeedbackiseffectiveinimprovingcognitivefunction inpatientswithTBI.Arecentstudyfoundthatpatientswho receivedneurofeedbacksignificantlyimprovedtheir cognitivefunctioncomparedtotraditionaltherapy Neurofeedbackmayalsobemoreengagingandenjoyable forpatients,makingitamoreeffectivetherapyoverall.
Hyperbaricoxygentherapy(HBOT)isaninnovative approachtoconcussionandTBItreatmentthatinvolves breathingpureoxygeninapressurizedchamber.This therapycanhelpimprovecognitivefunctionandpromote healingbyincreasingoxygenlevelsinthebrain.
DuringanHBOTsession,patientsbreathepureoxygen whilelyinginapressurizedchamber.Thisincreasesthe amountofoxygenintheblood,whichcanhelppromote healingandimprovecognitivefunction.
HBOTiseffectiveinimprovingcognitivefunctionin patientswithTBI.Arecentstudyfoundthatpatientswho receivedHBOTsignificantlyimprovedtheircognitive functioncomparedtotraditionaltherapy.HBOTmayalso helpreduceinflammationinthebrain,whichcancontribute tolong-termeffectsofTBI.
Functionalmedicineisaninnovativeapproachto concussionandTBItreatmentthatfocusesonthe underlyingcausesofapatient'ssymptoms,ratherthanjust treatingthem.Thisapproachconsidersthepatient'sunique medicalhistory,lifestylefactorsandgeneticmakeupto developapersonalizedtreatmentplan.
Functionalmedicinemayinvolveacombinationof therapies,suchasdietandnutritioncounseling, detoxificationandlifestylechanges.Byaddressingthe underlyingcausesofapatient'ssymptoms,functional medicinecanhelpimproveoverallhealthandreducethe riskoflong-termeffectsofconcussionandTBI.
Conclusion
ConcussionsandTBIareseriousinjuriesthatcanlong-term affectapatient'scognitiveandphysicalabilities.However, innovativeconcussionandTBItreatmentapproaches,such asvirtualrealitytherapy,neurofeedback,hyperbaricoxygen therapyandfunctionalmedicine,offernewhopefor patientsandtheirfamilies.
Theseinnovativetherapiesusetechnologyanda personalizedapproachtopromotehealing,improve cognitivefunctionandreducetheriskoflong-termeffects. Virtualrealitytherapyandneurofeedbackusetechnologyto providepatientswithengagingandenjoyabletherapiesthat effectivelyimprovecognitivefunction.Hyperbaricoxygen therapyincreasesoxygenlevelsinthebraintopromote healingandreduceinflammation.Atthesametime, functionalmedicinetakesapersonalizedapproachto addresstheunderlyingcausesofapatient'ssymptoms.
AsresearchintoconcussionandTBIcontinues,evenmore innovativetreatmentapproacheswilllikelybedeveloped. However,thesecurrenttherapiesoffernewhopefor patientswhomayhavepreviouslyhadlimitedoptionsfor treatment.
Itisimportantforpatientsandtheirfamiliestoworkclosely withhealthcareproviderstodeterminethebestcourseof treatmentfortheirindividualneeds.Bytakingadvantageof innovativeconcussionandTBItreatmentapproaches, patientscanimprovetheircognitiveandphysicalabilities, reducetheriskoflong-termeffectsandenhancetheir qualityoflife.
Heather Kroll MD
Rehabilita on Ins tute of Washington PLLC
Whencaringforapatientrecoveringfrom traumaticbraininjury,patient-centerednessand compassionisthekey AttheRehabilitation InstituteofWashingtonPLLC—aleadingproviderof specializedtraumaticbraininjury(TBI)treatment—the teamofcliniciansandspecialistsstrivetounderstand thepatients'experienceofTBI,theirjourneysand thebiological,psychologicalandsocialfactorsthat areinvolvedinshapingtheirexperience.The teamworkstirelesslytocreateapersonalized treatmentplanthatwouldhelppatientsregain theirindependenceandimprovetheirquality oflife.
Recoveryisprogressthattakestime.Thus,atRIW,notonly arethepatientssupportedintheirrecoveryjourneys throughthelatestevidence-basedtherapiesandcuttingedgetechnologies,buttheirpain,frustrationand disappointmentarealsoacknowledgedinawaythatthey feelheardandexperienceasenseofhope.
Throughitscommitmenttoinnovation,patient-centered careandexcellenceinclinicalpractice,RIWhasearneda reputationasapremierproviderofTBIrehabilitation servicesintheregion,improvingthelivesofcountless patientsandtheirfamilies.
InaninterviewwithInsightsCare,HeatherKroll,MD talksaboutRIW'scommitmenttohelpingpatientsrecover fromtraumaticbraininjuriesandimprovetheirqualityof life.Sheemphasizesitsfocusonprovidingpatientswiththe toolsandresourcestheyneedtoregaintheirindependence, while"transforminglives"whichspeakstotheprofound impactthatRIW'sworkcanhaveonpatientsandtheir families.
Following are the excerpts from the interview: Kindly,briefusaboutyourcompanyanditsinception.
RehabilitationInstituteofWashingtonPLLCspecializesin thecomprehensiverehabilitationofinjuredworkerswith traumaticbraininjuries,post-concussionsyndromeand chronicpainfrommusculoskeletalorneurologicalinjuries. TheInstitutewasfoundedin2005whenacoregroupof providersleftalargemedicalcenterinSeattleafterour multidisciplinaryprogramwasdiscontinued.Weloved helpingthosewithdisabilitiesreturntoactiveand productivelivesandcommunitystakeholdersvaluedthe careweprovided.
We are dedicated to providing compassionate, pa ent-centered, and cost-effec ve care of the highest quality. We offer comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment programs for those with complex disabili es, but also strive to provide less intensive, focused care when that is sufficient to resolve a problem.
Threemonthsafterleavingthemedicalcenter,weopened theInstituteandwereimmediatelybusy.Sincethenwe havegrown,expandedservices,andmovedtoalarger facility
Pleasetellusaboutyourselfandyourprofessional journeysofar.
Initially,Ibroughtaloveofmovement(dance)andscience togetherintoaphysicaltherapycareer Aftereightyearsas aphysicaltherapisttreatingadultsandchildrenwith neurologicalinjuries,Ienteredmedicalschool,choosing physiatrytocontinuehelpingpeopleimprovetheirfunction andtheirlives.(Afteragoingawaypartyfrommyphysical therapyjob,myfellowtherapiststalkedabouthowIwould build"Heather'sHouseofHealth").Aftercompleting medicalschoolandResidencyinRehabilitationMedicineat theUniversityofWashingtonSchoolofMedicine,Ibecame anattendingphysicianinRehabilitationMedicineatUW andanothermedicalcenterworkinginmultidisciplinary painclinics.
WhileIhadnottakenthe"Heather'sHouseofHealth"idea seriously,anopportunityarosewhenIandDr.JamesMoore partneredtostarttheRehabilitationInstituteofWashington, PLLC.Ourgoalwastoformafree-standingrehabilitation
centerprovidingmultidisciplinarycareforpeoplewith disabilities.
Overthelastnearly20years,astheorganizationgrew,I havehadtheprivilegetoworkwithandlearnfrom,an amazingteamofprofessionalstoprovidecomprehensive careforpeoplewithconcussions,moreseriousbrain injuries,longCOVID-19,musculoskeletalinjuries,and chronicpain.Ihavebeenparticularlypleasedtohavebeen abletoexplorewaysofeducatingeachpatientabouttheir health,theirbodyandtheirbraintoempowerthemtomake meaningfulchangesintheirlives.
Whatarethecorevaluesthattheorganizationstands by?Whatisitsmissionandvisionstatement?
Wearededicatedtoprovidingcompassionate,patientcenteredandcost-effectivecareofthehighestquality We offercomprehensiveinterdisciplinarytreatmentprograms forthosewithcomplexdisabilitiesbutalsostrivetoprovide lessintensive,focusedcarewhenthatissufficienttoresolve aproblem.
AtRIW,wepledgetoprovidethehighestquality rehabilitationtoassistpatientstomaximizefunctioninall areasoflife;physical,emotional,occupational,recreational
andsocial,andtoprovideunparalleledcustomerserviceto gaintherespectandtrustofourpatients,referralsources andpayersofservices.
Howisyourcompanyincorporatingadvancing technologyinprovidingtheConcussionandTBI treatmenttofurthercustomerreachaswellaschartits growthupwards?
Weusetelehealthservicestoimproveaccessibilityand generalizationofrehabilitationintothehomeenvironment. Weprovidepracticewithtoolstosupportcognition includingphoneapps,calendars,alarms,screentrackers, dictationtools,andnotetakingdeviceslikesmartpens. Accessibilityfeaturesarealsousedtoimproveaccessto thesetools.
ComputerizedcognitiveactivitieslikeAttentionProcess TrainingIIIarealsousedtosupportmetacognitive awareness.Thesetoolsprovidepracticeopportunitieswhen engagedinmetacognitivestrategytrainingbefore transitioningthestrategiestomorecomplexfunctional activities.ImPACTcomputerizedcognitivetestingwillbe usedinconcussionscreening.
Whatarethekeyproductsandservicesofthecompany andhowisitimpactingthedemographicconcerned?
Theuniqueserviceweprovideiscomprehensive interdisciplinaryrehabilitation.Underoneroofwe provideintegrated,collaborativecarefromphysicians, neuropsychologists,speech-languagepathologists,physical andoccupationaltherapists,andvocationalrehabilitation counselors.
Currentstandardsforcognitiverehabilitationsupport metacognitivestrategyimplementationfocusedon functionaltasks.Collaborativelydefinedgoalsand treatmentplansspecifictoeachindividualaredeveloped. Massedpracticeofspecificskillsallowsmeaningful reintegrationintothecommunity.
What,accordingtoyou,arethechallengesfacedin supplyingspecializedservicesintheindustryyouare serving?Howisthecompany,withyourbaleguidance, turningthemintoopportunities?
Onechallengeiseducation.Manymisconceptionsabout TBI,particularlymTBI/concussion,exist,evenwithinthe
medicalcommunity.Patientsmaynotunderstandtheir recoveryprocessormaygetconflictingmessagesabout recommendationsforrecovery Tosupportcommunity education,RIWhaspartneredwithcommunityoutreach programslikeBIAWAtosupportcommunityeducation. Additionally,RIWtrainsstudentsfromlocaluniversities acrossdisciplinestoimprovetheirunderstandingofTBI.
Anotherchallengeisreimbursement. Stakeholdersmaynot understandthebenefitsofintensivemultidisciplinarycare whenfacedwiththecostoutline.Toimproveaccessto servicestoreducedisability,RIWisdevelopingacuteand subacuteconcussionprogramstoprovideanabbreviated formoftheexpertservicesprovidedbytheBrainInjury RehabilitationProgram.
Whatarethefuturegoalsofyourcompanyandhowhas itenvisionedtoscaleitsoperationsandreachin2023 andbeyond?
Wewanttomakeourservicesavailabletomore individuals.Becausefundingforcomprehensive rehabilitationisnotalwaysavailable,wearedeveloping morefocusedtreatmentstoprovidehelpforthosewith persistentsymptomsordisabilities.
Giveusafewtestimonialsfromyourclientsor customers,andawardsorrecognitionthataccurately highlightyourcompany'spositioninthemarket.
Ihavebeengreatlyblessedandhumbledbythewaythe RIWteamgoestogreatlengthstocreateanenvironment forhealing.Tobewitnessedandguidedthroughsuchan integrativeprogramalongwithotherswhoarealsoin recoveryisanexperienceIwon'tsoonforget.I'mtakingthe toolsandstrategiesIlearnedhereintotherestofmylife."
-TianaP.
– Priscillia Stephen U
Lifeisfullofuncertainties;youthsmustbecautious
abouttheamountofdangertowhichtheyexpose themselves.Thereareseveraldeterminantsthat couldcombinetoinfluencesuicidalideationamongyouths. Theyincludepsychiatric,physical,socialandfamilial determinants,self-esteem,schoolstress,autonomy,affairs, vulnerability,impulsivity,andthrill-seekingactivity Youths areparticularlyvulnerabletosuicideonaccountoftheir emotionalimmaturityandtemperamentalinstability;rapid additionstoknowledge,intensecompetition,examinations, andpoorresultsexposestudentstotremendousstressand triggeroffdepression. Often, high expectations of parents can frustrate them and add to their depression iftheyare unabletoliveuptotheseexpectations.
Suicidalpreventionthroughawarenessamongyouthsis, therefore,ahighpriority,giventhefactthatinmany regions,mostpeopleinthisagegroupattendschool;this appearstobeanexcellentplacetodevelopappropriate preventiveaction.
NeedforActiveoutreachandtraditionalandpublic campaigntopromotementalhealthandreducedistress isnecessary,especiallyforyouthswithahistoryof psychiatricdisorderorprevioussuicidalattempts.
AccordingtoWHO,suicideisthefourthleadingcauseof deathamongthoseaged15-29;morethan700000people dieduetosuicideeveryyear.77%ofglobalsuicidesoccur inlow-and-middle-income-counties(LMIC)likeIndia, amongtheother218countries.Apriorsuicideattemptis thesinglemostimportantriskfactorforsuicideinthe generalpopulation.Ingestionofpesticides,hangingand firearmsareamongthemostcommonmethodsof suicideglobally.
InIndia,accordingtotheNationalCrimesRecord Bureau(NCRB),in2021,1,65,033suicideswerereported, andmorethan1.39lakhIndiansdiedbysuicideintheyear 2019,67%ofwhichwereyouths(93,061).Comparedto 2018numberswere(89,407).YouthsuicideinIndiahas risenby4%.Theoverallsuicidefiguresroseby3.4%atthe sametime.Hangingwasfoundtobethemostcommon
methodofattemptingsuicide.Around74,629people hangedthemselvesintheyear2019.
FurtherreportsbyNCRBrevealsthatfamilyissues,love affairs,drugabuseandmentalillness(andrecentlyis, COVID-19Stressor)appeartobethetopcauseofsuicide amongyouthsinIndia.Majorvariationsarenoticedacross India,probablyrelatedtoreportingpractices.In2022 Maharashtrareportedthemostsuicidecasesat22,2027, followedby18,925suicidesinTamilNaduand14,965 suicidesinMadhyaPradesh,allaccountingfor50.4%of thetotalsuicidesinthecountry
COVID-19stressorisanimportantsuicidal determinant;mentalhealthconsequencesoftheCOVID19crisis,includingsuicideideation,arelikelytobepresent foralongtimeandpeaklaterthantheactualpandemic.The HindureportedwhatispossiblythefirstcaseofCOVID19-relatedsuicide,whichoccurredinKerala(India)onJune 2nd,2020.Therewasasignificantlyhigherrateofsuicidal ideationamongyouth,increasedstress,anxiety,fears,and lonelinessamongtheyouth,duetoCovid-19,which appearstocorrespondwithtimeswhenCovid-19stressors andcommunityresponses(e.g.,stay-at-homeordersand schoolclosures)wereheightened,andindicatingthatyouth experiencedelevateddistress.
Warningsignsofsuicidalideationamongyouthsinclude behavioral,verbalandnon-verbalcues.Itisimportantto observethesewarningsignsearlyandseekimmediatehelp tobeabletosavelives.
Ÿ Talkingabout:wantingtodie,havinggreatguiltor shame,andbeingaburdentoothers.
Ÿ Feelings:empty,hopeless,trappedorhavingnoreasonto live,feelingextremesadness,anxiety,agitatedorfullof range,unbearableemotionalorphysicalpain.
Ÿ Changeinbehaviorsuchas:makingplanstodie, isolatingfromfriends,givingawayimportantitemsor makingawillorsuicidalnotes,takingadangerousrisk, moodswingssubstanceabuse.
To anyone out there who's hurting, it's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It's a sign of strength. ~~~ BARACK OBAMA
I am Priscillia Stephen U., United States Registered Nurse, MSN, BSN. A mental health advocate with First-Class Degree in Nursing from Dr. NTR University, India, and a Postgraduate Degree holder in Psychiatric Nursing. A seasoned professional Nurse, with mul -year experience working with People Tree Hospitals, one of India's Best Performing Hospitals.
Ÿ Verbalcueslike—Passinganegativestatement”
Ÿ “Iwanttodie,endmylife,”
Ÿ “Iamgoingtokillmyself,”
Ÿ “It'stoomuchtobear,”
Ÿ “Youwouldbebetterwithoutme,”
Ÿ “Iamnotuseful,”"
Ÿ “Idon'twantlifeanymore"shouldbetakenseriously, andurgenthelporreferralshouldbedone.”
Preventingsuiciderequiresstrategiesatalllevels;this includespreventiveandprotectivestrategiesfor individuals,familiesandcommunities.
Thefollowingwayscanhelptopreventsuicidesuchas:
Ÿ Improvingcopingandproblem-solvingskills,
Ÿ Self-awarenessandemotionalregulation,
Ÿ Interpersonalrelationshipswithpeers,familyandmental healthandmedicalprovider,
Ÿ StressandAngermanagement,
Ÿ Concentrationduringclasshours,
Ÿ Avoidbullyingandsubstanceabuse,
Ÿ Reachoutforhelpimmediately.
Note:Youthswhofeelsuicidalarenotlikelytoseekhelp directly;however,friends,peersandschoolpersonnel canrecognizethewarningsignsandtakeimmediate actiontokeeptheyouthsafe.
Thefollowingactionsshouldbetakenifyouths demonstratesignsofsuicide:
Ÿ Remaincalm,
Ÿ Speakdirectlyaboutfeelings,
Ÿ Assuredthemthattherewashelpandthattheywouldnot feellikethisforever,
Ÿ Bepresentandlisten,
Ÿ Keepthemawayfrommeansofharm,
Ÿ Gethelpfromapsychologist/psychiatrist/caregiving adult.
Managementofsuicidalideationincludesathorough assessmentoftheindividual'sCurrentriskofimminent harmandcreatingatreatmentplanincollaboration withthepatientandanyinvolvedsupports.
Thisprocessneedstobeindividualized,collaborative,and completedusingacalm,cooperativeandcuriousinterview style.Improvingtheself-confidenceandcharacterofthe youthwillhelpimprovepositivebehavior.Skill developmentprogramsandencouragingmoreconnections, caringandcompassionamongyouthscanhelpreducethe incidenceofsuicidalideation.Mostpeoplecanbetreated withacombinationofanti-depressantmedicationand cognitivebehavioraltherapy;contactyour guardian/psychologist/psychiatristincaseofsuicidal ideation.
Inconclusion,weshouldrecognizethatsuicidehasa powerfuleffectontheindividual'sfamily,schooland community Wemustdealwithitasapublichealthcrisisin ourschools,clinicsandsociety Thehighsuiciderate amongyouthsemphasizestheneedforurgentintervention. Suicideisaresultofacomplexdynamicandtheunique interplaybetweennumerouscontributingdeterminants.The youthslacktheefforttopredictandpreventsuicideand tendtofail.
Ontheotherhand,Improvingtheknowledgeregarding determinantsofsuicidalideationandmakingtheyouth understandtheconsequences,willhelpthemtoavoid extremestress;creatingawarenessamongyouths regardingdeterminantsofsuicidalideationwill substantiallydecreasetheamountofsuicideamong youth.
Priscillia Stephen U
Mildtraumaticbraininjury (TBI),alsoknownasa concussion,isacommon occurrenceinsportsanddailylife.Itis causedbyablowtotheheadorbodythat causesthebraintoshakeinsidetheskull.
Frommildtosevere,concussionsymptoms mightincludeheadaches,nausea,dizziness, blurredvision,andsensitivitytolightand sound.Whilemostconcussionvictimsbounce backwithinafewweeks,somemayexperience long-termconsequencesthatrequirespecialized care.
ThetraditionalapproachtoconcussionandTBI treatmenthasbeena"onesizefitsall"approach,with standardprotocolsandtimelinesforrecovery.However, researchhasshownthatindividualizedtreatmentplans canbemoreeffectiveinhelpingpatientsrecoverfrom concussionandTBI.Thisapproachconsiderseach
patient'suniqueneeds,includingtheirsymptoms,medical historyandlifestylefactors.
Thefirststepincreatingapersonalizedtreatmentplanfor concussionandTBIisathoroughassessmentanddiagnosis. Thismayincludeaphysicalexam,neurologicalexam, imagingtestssuchasMRIorCTscans,andcognitivetests. Thesetestscanhelpdeterminetheextentoftheinjuryand theseverityofthesymptoms.
Onceadiagnosisismade,thehealthcareprovidercanwork withthepatienttodevelopapersonalizedtreatmentplan. Thisplanincludesacombinationoftherapies,suchas physicaltherapy,cognitiverehabilitationandmedication.
Physicaltherapycanbeanessentialpartofconcussionand TBItreatment,particularlyincaseswherethereisa
significantlossofbalance,strength,orcoordination. Physicaltherapycanhelpimprovebalance,coordination andstrengthandreducesymptomssuchasdizzinessand headaches.Todevelopapersonalizedexerciseplan addressingtheirneedstherapistwillworkwiththepatient.
Cognitiverehabilitationisatherapythatfocuseson improvingcognitivefunction,suchasmemory,attention andexecutivefunction.Thistherapyexercisestoimprove memory,concentrationandstrategiestohelppatients managetheirsymptoms.Cognitiverehabilitationcan benefitpatientsexperiencinglong-termeffectsof concussionorTBI,suchasdifficultywithmemoryor concentration.
Insomecases,medicationmaybeusedtomanage symptomsofconcussionorTBI.Forexample,antiinflammatorydrugsmayreduceswellingandinflammation inthebrain,whilepainmedicationcanhelprelieve headachesandotherpainsymptoms.Sometimes, antidepressantoranti-anxietymedicationmaybeprescribed tohelppatientsmanagetheemotionaleffectsofconcussion orTBI.
Inadditiontothesetherapies,lifestylechangescanbe essentialtopersonalizedtreatmentforconcussionandTBI. Thismayincludechangestodietandexercisehabitsand modificationstoworkorschoolactivities.Forexample, patientsmayneedtotakeabreakfromworkorschool activitiestoallowtimeforrestandrecovery,ortheymay needtomodifytheirworkorschoolenvironmenttoreduce theriskoffurtherinjury
Patientsmaybenefitfromcounselingwhichhelpsthem copewiththeemotionaleffectsofconcussionorTBI.This mayincludeanxiety,depression,orpost-traumaticstress disorder(PTSD).
PersonalizedtreatmentforconcussionandTBIoffers severalbenefitsovertraditional,one-size-fits-alltreatment approaches.Bytailoringthetreatmentplantoeachpatient's
uniqueneeds,healthcareproviderscanhelpimprovepatient outcomesandreducetheriskoflong-termeffects.Patients mayalsoexperiencefasterandmorecompleterecoveryand canreturntoworkorschoolmorequickly
Inaddition,personalizedtreatmentcanhelphealthcare providersidentifypatientsatriskforthelong-termeffects ofconcussionorTBI.Thiscanhelphealthcareproviders developstrategiestopreventormitigatetheseeffects,such asmonitoringforsignsofcognitivedeclineorproviding ongoingtherapytoavoidemotionalproblems.
WhilepersonalizedtreatmentforconcussionandTBIhas manybenefits,italsopresentsseveralchallenges.Oneof thebiggestchallengesisthelackofstandardizedprotocols fordiagnosisandtreatment.Thiscanmakeitdifficultto compareoutcomesacrosspatientsandmaymakeitmore difficultforhealthcareproviderstodevelopeffective treatmentplans.
Inaddition,personalizedtreatmentcanbemoretimeconsumingandcostlythantraditionalapproaches.Itmay requireadditionaltesting,consultationwithmultiple healthcareproviders,andongoingmonitoringtoensurethat thetreatmentplaniseffective.
Finally,personalizedtreatmentrequiresamultidisciplinary approachinvolvinghealthcareprovidersfrommultiple specialties.Thiscanmakecoordinationandcommunication betweenprovidersmoredifficult,particularlyifpatientssee providersindifferentlocationsorhealthcaresystems.
PersonalizedtreatmentforconcussionandTBIisa promisingapproachthatoffersseveralbenefitsover traditional,one-size-fits-alltreatmentapproaches.By tailoringthetreatmentplantoeachpatient'suniqueneeds, healthcareproviderscanhelpimprovepatientoutcomesand reducetheriskoflong-termeffects.However,personalized treatmentalsopresentsseveralchallenges,includingthe lackofstandardizedprotocolsandtheneedfora multidisciplinaryapproach.Despitethesechallenges, personalizedtreatmentoffersapromisingwaytoimprove thecareofpatientswithconcussionsandTBI.
-PoojaShah
Rich Barnes President The Barnes Firm
There’sagoodchancethatsomeoneyouknowwill beinvolvedinacaraccident,pedestrianaccident, constructionaccident,ormedicalmalpractice whichcouldresultinapersonalinjury.Inthesetypesof situations,victims—besidessufferingfromphysical pain—arelikelytoexperiencepsychologicalanguish becauseofthedefendant's negligence.
TheBarnesFirmisheretohelp.BeingoneofAmerica's largestpersonalinjurylawfirms,theexperiencedteamof attorneysatTheBarnesFirmwillhelpyounavigateyour personalinjuryclaim.OneoftheFirm'sareasoffocusis helpingthosewhosufferfrombraininjuries,whichcan rangefromacompletelossofconsciencetoamildformof
Our Firm helps those who have been injured by someone else's negligence. As one of Americas' largest personal injury law firms, we help with several types of physical injury, yet we are keenly focused on helping those who have suffered from a brain injury. Whether it is a severe trauma c brain injury with complete loss of conscience or a mild TBI, we offer our experience to assist them with many areas a er the accident, including experts, social programs, insurance, and so on.
traumaticbraininjury,orTBI.Regardlessofthetypeof injury,theFirmispreparedtoassistvictims.
InaninterviewwithInsightsCare,RichBarnes,President ofTheBarnesFirm,emphasizesthatnotonlydovictims worryaboutrecoveringphysically,butalsofaceuncertainty abouttheirrightsandiftheycanbecompensatedfor hardshipsasaresultofsomeoneelse'snegligence.Thus, throughhisleadership,theFirm'smissionistoprovide justiceforitsclientswithoutstandinglegalserviceandto fightforthemaximumrecoverypossibleintheshortest periodoftime.
Following are the excerpts from the interview:
Kindly,briefusabouttheBarnesFirmandits inception.
TheBarnesFirmwasfoundedbySteveBarneswithoffices locatedinBuffalo,Rochester,Manhattan,LongIsland,San Francisco,LosAngeles,andSanDiego.Afterhis unexpectedpassingin2020,Steve'sbrotherand distinguishedattorneyRichBarneswasappointedPresident ofTheBarnesFirm.
Pleasetellusaboutyourselfandyourprofessional journeysofar.
Ibringover40yearsoflegalexperienceasatriallawyer, seniorassistantDistrictAttorney,privatepracticelawyer, andservedasPresidentoftheWNYTrialLawyers Association.
"I was in a car accident and called The Barnes Firm for help. My a orney encouraged me to seek medical a en on immediately when he realized I was in a lot of pain and couldn't remember what happened. A er being seen by medical professionals at a nearby emergency room, I was told I had a concussion and mul ple herniated discs. Over the next few weeks, I no ced that my memory was failing me and that my speech was impaired – there was hesita on with being able to form sentences and I began to stu er, and my words came out mixed up, which was very unusual for me. My a orney supported my decision to pursue more tests and get second and third opinions, as did my care team. I am grateful for the support and a en on I received from my a orney at The Barnes Firm. With the Firms help and guidance, I was able to get the tests I needed and con nue with the appropriate medical care. I am s ll on the road to recovery but the se lement my a orney was able to nego ate for me will help with covering the addi onal costs to extend my ongoing medical care." -Erica
B.
"The Barnes Firm did an excellent job on my car accident case. Jade was extremely helpful at answering all of my ques ons."-Ghyar. A
"The Barnes Firm was very friendly, always quick to respond to our calls and emails. When we had any ques ons or concerns, they were there to walk us through everything. I would recommend them to anyone that is looking for an a orney that will honestly fight for you and has your best interest in mind." -Nichole
W.
"They handled everything with my accident and got me the maximum amount of money back, more than I thought I would get! Thanks!"-Philip
H.WhatarethecorevaluesthattheFirmstandsby?What isitsmissionandvisionstatement?
AtTheBarnesFirm,wearedrivenbyasharedpassionfor justiceandacommitmenttohonorthelegacyofSteve Barnes.Ourattorneysarededicatedtoobtainingthebest possibleoutcomeforeveryclientineverycase,nomatter thesize,severity,oropposition.Weareproudtobeableto provideourclientswiththesenseofjusticeandsatisfaction thattheydeserve.
HowisyourFirmincorporatingadvancingtechnology toprovideconcussionandTBItreatmentstohelp clients?
Weworkwithtopexpertsandspecialistsintheirrespective fields,whetherthatbeneuroradiologists,neurologists, psychiatrists,neuropsychologists,andrelatedprofessionals whoareonthevanguardinusingadvancedtechnologyfor treatmentanddiagnosis.
WhatarethekeyproductsandservicesoftheFirmand howisitimpactingthedemographicconcerned?
OurFirmhelpsthosewhohavebeeninjuredbysomeone else'snegligence.AsoneofAmerica'slargestpersonal injurylawfirms,weassistvictimswhohaveexperienced varioustypesofphysicalinjury,yetwearekeenlyfocused onhelpingthosewhohavesufferedfromabraininjury Whetherit'saseveretraumaticbraininjurywithcomplete lossofconscienceoramildconcussion,weofferour experiencetoassistthemwithmanyareasafterthe
accident,includingexperts,socialprograms,insurance,and soon.
What,accordingtoyou,arethechallengesfacedin supplyingspecializedserviceswhennavigatingpersonal injury?HowistheFirm,withyourguidance,turning themintoopportunities?
Manyindustriesneedtocontinuetodeveloptheir companies'productsandservicestotargetandsupport individualcustomers.TheBarnesFirmtakesasimilar approachtohelpingourinjuredclients,especiallythose withTBI,becauseitiscompletelydependenton individualizedservice.
Allthemembersofourteammusthavetheknowledgeand theskillsettohelpeachTBIclientwiththeirspecific requirementsandneeds.OurFirmisbuiltonbeingableto providespecializedservicesforthisveryreason,allowing ustoremainlaserfocusedonservingtheneedsofeach client.Ifyoudoanoutstandingjoboftrulyhelpingeach client,yourbusinesswillbebuiltuponastrongfoundation andwillbeabletogroworganically
WhatarethefuturegoalsofyourFirmandhowhasit envisionedtoscaleitsoperationsandreachin2023and beyond?
Weplanoncontinuedgrowthin2023and2024.TheFirm willstayfocusedondevelopingsystemstoimproveour servicesandimplementAIstrategiesthatwillallowour clientstohavethebestresultspossible.
