The Brain Impact - TBI Lab

A team of researchers, led by Dr. Emma Tinney, recently published a study in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation that tested a new way to support recovery after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Cognitive problems, like difficulty with executive function and disrupted sleep, are some of the most common and persistent issues after a concussion, and they can affect everyday tasks such as returning to work, studying, and daily functioning. Despite this, there are currently no FDA-approved treatments that directly address cognitive dysfunction after mTBI.

The study, part of the Exercise and Concussion Health Study (TECHS), examined whether a virtual, symptom-guided aerobic exercise program could help. Participants completed supervised exercise sessions from home three times a week for 12 weeks. The data showed that the aerobic exercise group had greater improvements in executive function and reported fewer sleep disturbances compared with a balance control group. The intervention reached 94% session adherence with zero adverse events, demonstrating that the approach is both safe and feasible. The team also found that these cognitive benefits occurred even without major gains in cardiorespiratory fitness, suggesting exercise may support brain recovery through other pathways.

The results of this study can be used to inform a larger, fully powered randomized controlled trial. This new data is a promising step toward making concussion recovery more accessible for the many patients who currently face barriers such as cost, transportation, and the demands of in-person therapy.

Congratulations to Dr. Tinney and the TECHS research team!

Source: https://journals.lww.com/headtraumarehab/fulltext/9900/the_feasibility_and_efficacy_of_a_virtual,.377.aspx

Congratulations to our newest UGA graduates! We are so excited to see where your journeys take you next! Best of luck in all of your future endeavors 🎉🎊👏

Congratulations to TBI lab’s newest doctors, Dr. Tinney and Dr. Nwakamma!! 🎓🥳 We are so proud of all you both have accomplished and wish you the best in your future endeavors! 🎉

Approximately 15-20% of individuals who experience a concussion will continue to suffer from headaches one year after the trauma occurs. This is classified as chronic post-traumatic headache (PTH), but there are many types of PTH, with different symptoms and features. Here is a quick overview of PTH and common symptoms, risk factors, and treatments.

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10342432/

As temperatures drop, it’s important to take care of not just your physical health, but your mental health too.
Cold weather brings new experiences — cozy moments, slower days, and chances to reset. Grab a hot cup of cocoa, listen to your favorite tunes, and give yourself permission to rest and recharge.
Your brain deserves care in every season 🤍

Sources: https://ctrinstitute.com/blog/10-cool-ways-beat-winter-blues/

A team of researchers, led by Tara Alvarez, recently published a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine that showed an effective way to treat some of the most common post-concussion disorders. These disorders, known as convergence insufficiency and accommodation insufficiency, cause double and blurry vision, respectively. These eye problems are one of the biggest issues for most people with post-concussion symptoms, and can impair the ability to do tasks such as reading books, working on computers, or driving.
The data showed that after 12 weeks of vision therapy, almost 90% of patients could see normally, compared with under 10% in the control group over the same period. The team also found that typical exercises to strengthen and coordinate eye muscles were just as effective in patients with head injuries as in non-concussed patients. The results of this study will be used to develop standardized protocols for post-concussion vision therapies. This new data is a promising step toward making treatment for these conditions more attainable for the many affected patients who currently face barriers such as cost, time commitment, and availability.

Source: https://news.njit.edu/vision-therapy-reverses-concussion-related-double-and-blurred-vision-njit-led-study-finds

As we are heading into the new year, we aim to become a better version of ourselves. But we wonder, how can I get this done? According to a recent study, scientists uncover the 10,000 hour rule. They mention that even world-class athletes or musicians may have started with many different focuses as children and as they grew older then they were able to dedicate 10,000 hours solely on one certain task to become the best at what they do.

Starting a new year, remember not everyone rises to the top overnight. Becoming a master takes a lot of practice doing that one thing!

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heres-how-much-practice-you-need-to-become-the-best-in-the-world/

A few weeks ago Emma and Goretti presented their research at the NeuroBoston conference at Tufts!

Positive thinking and self-talk can provide many health benefits like increased life span, lower levels of pain, better cardiovascular health, and better coping skills. Having a positive mindset doesn’t mean that you ignore negative situations, but that you approach them with a more productive growth mindset. Being optimistic can increase your resilience to stress, reducing the harmful effects it has on your body. Here are some examples of transforming negative self-talk into positive thoughts. Some ways to increase positive thinking are to identify small areas of negativity to focus on and be more mindful of, and to surround yourself with positive, supportive people.

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950

A big shoutout to Goretti España, PhD, for presenting her incredible research at the Society for Neuroscience Conference this past week! 🎉🧠