Research Shows Lithium May Help Treat Brain Injury

As it currently stands, approximately 1.7 million individuals annually will suffer from a traumatic brain injury, making it a leading cause of disabilities and fatalities. One well-known drug, lithium, has been used for decades as a mood stabilizer to treat mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder. However, Montana residents may be interested to hear that recent research out of Rutgers University has shown that lithium may also be beneficial in treating brain injuries.

This research is significant, since currently medications used in treating brain injuries are meant to help alleviate the symptoms of the injury and reduce pain, rather than stopping additional injury. Lithium apparently keeps toxic chemicals, such as glutamate, from accumulating in a person’s brain cells. The drug blocks the toxic chemicals from triggering cell death. This, in turn, helps protect neurons in the brain.

Any advances in the treatment of brain injuries are significant. Brain injuries can be the result of another person’s negligence, for example, when a person suffers a brain injury in a car crash. Prompt and adequate treatment of the injury can make the difference between life and death, but recovering from such an injury can take a long time. During this rehabilitation period, medical expenses continue to accumulate and the brain injury victim may be unable to work, further stretching their already thin financial situation.

For these reasons, those who have suffered a brain injury due to another person’s negligence may want to pursue compensation for the damages they suffered. However, navigating the legal system alone can be difficult. Fortunately, attorneys in Billings are available to help those who have suffered a brain injury assess their situation to determine how best to proceed.

Source: njspotlight.com, “Rutgers Researchers Discover New Use For Old Drug In Treating Brain Injury,” Lilo H. Stainton, May 9, 2017