brain injury research

Published on: July 21, 2025

Brain Injury Increases Risk of Criminal Behavior

Persons who have suffered a traumatic brain injury may be at risk of violent or even criminal behavior. A new study points to specific areas of the brain that may suffer damage during a head injury, exposing the individual to the risk of criminal activity after the personal injury.

According to the study, during certain types of traumatic brain injuries, the victim may suffer damage to the right uncinate fasciculus, or white matter pathway in the brain. Damage to this part of the brain may result in a number of consequences. The person may find it difficult to make decisions, and there may also be an impact on the person’s empathy and emotional regulation. The person may find it difficult to differentiate between right and wrong or to feel empathy for another person.

The researchers focused their study on 17 individuals who had suffered a brain injury and then gone on to commit a criminal or violent act. They compared the brain scans of these individuals with more than 700 other individuals who had also suffered some kind of brain damage and suffered from other symptoms like memory loss or depression. The analysis found that the white matter area of the brain was the most commonly damaged part of the brain in those individuals who committed violent or criminal acts after the brain injury.

Published on: March 25, 2024

Brain Injury After a Car Accident Could Increase Risk of Cancer

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Persons who have suffered a brain injury in an auto accident may be at a higher risk of developing brain cancer later in life. This the shocking finding of a new study which could have a significant impact on personal injury claims.

A new study that was conducted on military vets finds that a brain injury significantly increases the risk of brain cancer. The study focused on more than 1.9 million vets, and the results are disturbing. Brain cancer is a relatively rare cancer, and only one percent of the general population has the risk of suffering from this disease. However, among veterans who have suffered a brain injury, the risk of developing malignant cancer is as much as 90% higher than in the general population. Additionally, in those cases in which the injury has resulted in penetration of the skull, victims were found to have a three times higher risk of suffering brain cancer.

The researchers take pains to point out that while the study has been conducted on veterans, and that while the exact same results may not be seen in the civilian population, more severe or penetrative brain injury is likely to lead to a higher risk of brain cancer among civilians as well.

Published on: October 16, 2023

Brain Injuries May Impact Cardiac Health

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

We know a lot about the impact of brain injuries on certain areas of a person’s life, including his mental health and cognitive functioning. A new study finds that a traumatic brain injury – like the kind that results after a motorcycle accident – could also significantly impact a person’s cardiac health, leaving him exposed to the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

According to researchers, there are a number of risk factors after a brain injury that may increase the person’s risk of suffering heart conditions after this type of personal injury. These factors include neuroinflammation, problems with the nervous system and other post -injury symptoms that could significantly impact cardiovascular functioning. This could place the person at risk of suffering conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

In fact, the researchers believe that cardiovascular and endocrine disruption may impact a person’s quality of life and affect his survival rates for decades after the injury. They also believe that there has not been enough research into the long – term cardiovascular effects after a brain injury, with the result that we are likely underestimating the impact of these effects on survival rates.

Published on: February 13, 2023

Study: Head Injury can Hasten Death

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

There are a number of complications that are associated with suffering a head injury, and one of these, according to a new study, is an increased chance of dying, with the risk having doubled over a period of 3 decades.

We know of some of the more common consequences of head injury including memory loss, attention and concentration difficulties, and cognitive deficits. Head injuries have also been linked to other long-term disabilities including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, early onset dementia and stroke. All of these are long term consequences can seriously impact the quality of a person’s life.

However, there is one serious consequence of a head injury that does not attract as much attention – the effect of the brain injury on the person’s life expectancy. A new study probed the effects of a head injury on a person’s life expectancy, and found that a head injury could increase the risk of death over a period of 30 years. In some cases, the risk of death increased by two or even three times the risk without a head injury.

Published on: November 29, 2021

Exercise May Help Speed up Brain Injury Recovery in Teens

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Concussions are mild brain injuries that can occur in a car accident, or a motorcycle or bicycle accident. Wearing a helmet when you ride a motorcycle or a bicycle can help protect your head against injuries in an accident. Short term symptoms after a concussion may include temporary loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting. In the long term, however, persons who suffer concussions may face challenges like concentration difficulties, problems paying attention, chronic headaches and fatigue. These problems, if left unaddressed, could also cause mental health issues like depression. It is, therefore, important to receive treatment for a concussion as soon as one occurs.

Brain injuries are severe injuries that should not be ignored. Whenever there has been any jolt or blow to the head after an accident, make sure that you get it checked out by a doctor immediately to rule out any damage to the brain tissue. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent exacerbation.

When it comes to brain injury recovery, the longstanding belief has been that extensive rest helps heal symptoms of a concussion quicker. However, just the opposite may be true. According to a new study, teenagers who have suffered a brain injury may actually benefit from periods of light, aerobic exercise instead of being cocooned and isolated.

Published on: August 30, 2021

Long Term Outcomes for Brain Injury May Be Better than Earlier Believed

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A brain injury is one of the most devastating injuries a person can sustain. Findings from new research could have an impact on doctors’ recommendations for life support for patients with TBI. This means that persons with a serious brain injury may have much better long-term outcomes than previously expected.

A traumatic brain injury occurs as a result of trauma or a blow or jolt to the head. These injuries can occur in any number of ways, but the most common causes of traumatic brain injury are car and auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, falls, and assaults or violence.

The results of the new study focusing on brain injury were published in July in the journal Neurology. The researchers focused on 484 patients who suffered from moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. The researchers tracked the patients over a year, and found that over this time period, close to 25 percent of the patients recovered to a much greater extent than expected. For example, among patients who were in a vegetative state after the injury, as many as one in 4 were able to perform simply orientation tasks like recognizing themselves as well as identifying the date and their location with 12 months after the injury.

Published on: January 21, 2021

Research Sheds New Light on Long Term Effects of Brain Injury

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Many may not realize, but traumatic brain injuries are some of the more common injuries associated with slip and fall accidents. New research makes a connection between the kind of mechanical forces that are exerted on the brain during an accident and the long-term consequences of such an impact.

Whenever there is any kind of fall accident that results in a person sustaining a blow or jolt to the head, there is the potential for a brain injury. Brain injuries are difficult to diagnose because they may not result in loss of consciousness after a fall. They also may not even result in any physical symptoms. You may not see any inflammation, swelling, bleeding, or cuts after the brain injury, but that does not mean that damage has not occurred. In fact, it’s not unusual for a person to bounce back to “normal” after a fall, only to lose consciousness an hour or two later when the symptoms of the brain injury begin to emerge.

Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most serious types of injuries that you can sustain in a slip and fall accident because these can have long-term consequences, unlike other types of injuries. There may be long-term memory loss, distraction, lack of attention and loss of cognitive ability. An individual’s abilities may be impacted to the extent that he may no longer be able to even work at the job that he had before the injury.

Published on: July 21, 2020

Blood Test May Accurately Predict Severity of a Brain Injury

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Researchers say that a blood test that could predict the severity of a concussion, even more accurately than a spinal tap, is being developed and could soon be available for testing.

Concussions are mild brain injuries that occur when a person suffers a sudden blow or jolt to the head. These types of head injuries are very common in motorcycle accidents, or any kind of accident, in which the person suffers a sudden blow to the skull.

Concussions are considered mild brain injuries, but that does not mean that they should be ignored. Concussions can lead to debilitating, consequences, including temporary memory loss, loss of concentration, forgetfulness, inability to focus, distraction, and other complications that can affect a person’s ability to study or perform work-related activities.

Published on: December 4, 2019

Distracted Walking is Common Cause of Brain Injuries Pedestrian Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

We all know distracted driving is dangerous and can cause deadly accidents, but distracted walking can be just as dangerous to both pedestrians and motorists alike.

Distracted walking includes activities such as texting or emailing while walking, using social media apps while walking, listening to music and even playing a game on the phone while walking.

These days with everyone constantly on their cell phones, distracted walking accidents are increasing at an alarming rate. According to the National Safety Council, over 6000 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2018. Statistics from the National Highway and Transportation Safety Association show that most of these pedestrian deaths occurred in urban areas, such as the metro Atlanta, on the open road, and at night. The actual number of pedestrian injuries are probably even higher as these statistics focus on only the number of medically treated injuries and death. The problem has gotten so bad that some cities and states have either banned using a cell phone while walking or will fine those who violate such laws.

Published on: September 20, 2016

Even Mild Brain Injury Can Mean Long-Term Health Consequences for Children

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Children who suffer even a mild brain injury like a concussion can suffer long-term health consequences that may be evident for years after the injury.

According to a new study that was conducted in Sweden, young people who have suffered even a mild brain injury are at risk for various health problems including psychiatric problems later in life. They may also be at risk of dying prematurely.

The study was based on an analysis of 100,000 persons who had suffered a traumatic brain injury before they reached the age of 25. Children who had suffered an injury were found to be more likely to die early, and also suffer psychological problems as adults. The risk of long-term consequences was higher among children who were older when they suffered the injury, as well as those who suffered more severe injuries or had repeated injuries.