Dr. Darryl Kaelin: Traumatic Brain Injury And Its Association With Neurodegenerative Disorders, Part 2

The introduction is done by Dr. Steven Flanagan, Chairperson of the Department of Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health. His remarks ended at the 2 minute: 24 second mark.

Dr. Darryl Kaelin is the Endowed Chair of Stroke and Brain Injury Rehabilitation at the University of Louisville. In this Grand Rounds session, he speaks about Traumatic Brain Injury and its Association with Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Part 2

Repetitive mild brain injuries also can result in the same kinds of findings. So, it is not just moderate to severe, but repetitive mild injuries that increase the risk. Although there may not be a direct causal relationship, certainly having a brain injury, multiple mild brain injuries or a moderate to severe brain injury increases the risk of developing neurodegenerative processes like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.  He tells his patients that the likelihood of developing a neurodegenerative process may be there, but in each individual it can be different. We don’t know specifically what it might mean for you. On average the risk may go up, but it still is very small. He talked about some potential neuro-protective treatments that might exist out there or are in the process of being looked at. He stated that this patient population is heavily heterogeneous, especially in how it presents and responds to trauma. Additionally, patients in the U.S. don’t all receive exactly the same treatment after their trauma, which is a confounding variable that results in a very different outcome for each of those kinds of patients. Nutrition is a highly important factor when it comes to recovery and outcomes.  Parenteral nutrition goes a long way in helping their outcomes. It also is important to keep an eye on vitamin and mineral levels.  Zinc is a key supplement for many patients and magnesium can help in recovery. He closed by describing a disorders of consciousness program at his institution called the Emerge Program.

A Question &Answer period followed.