Presence of specific gene could play role in recovery from TBI

Individuals in the Saint Louis, Missouri, area suffer traumatic brain injuries each day. There are a variety of ways in which they might occur including car accidents, workplace accidents and even stroke. Though the individual who suffers a traumatic brain injury may not physically appear to have anything wrong, they may nonetheless be suffering from symptoms that dramatically impact their lives.

In virtually any situation where one experiences an injury, the way in which they recover will have to do with a variety of things. The first things to come to mind likely include the age and overall health of that person. Something else may play a role where traumatic brain injuries are concerned.

According to recent research, the way in which someone recovers from a TBI, may depend on that person’s genes–more specifically, the variant of a gene known as BDNF. Of three possible variants, individuals who had a combination referred to as Val/Val, displayed the most sensitivity to TBI. The study, which involved 156 veterans of the Vietnam War who survived penetrating head wounds, did not determine why this was the case. Nonetheless, even knowing those with the Val/Val variant of the BDNF gene will respond differently to treatment than others could inform how the injury will be treated.

Living with a brain injury can be expensive. In some cases it is possible that a person dealing with symptoms of a TBI can recover compensation to help cover those expenses. This may be possible via a personal injury lawsuit when the negligence of another person is to blame for the injury.

Source: FOX News, “Differences in a single gene may influence recovery from traumatic brain injury,” Loren Grush, Feb. 27, 2014