New report brings hope to those who suffer brain injuries

Any trauma to the head is a big deal, no matter how minor the initial injury may seem. The brain is a very delicate organ, and any type of injury to this organ can be debilitating and permanent. Every year, thousands of people in Delaware and across the country are affected by brain injuries. Fortunately, there may be hope on the horizon.

According to a recent report, scientists have found a way to possibly repair damaged brain cells in adults. After a brain injury, scientists say that brain cells can revert to an embryonic state, capable of regenerating new connections. Under the right conditions, this could help lost brain function to be restored, the report said. Until recently, repairing cellular damage to the brain was thought to be a near impossibility.

For the first time ever, scientists say they were able to identify how genes in an adult brain cell reset themselves in order to regenerate. Scientists used tools such as virology, molecular genetics, modern neuroscience and computational power in this encouraging and groundbreaking study. The findings give scientists and researchers a fundamental understanding of how cell regeneration happens. The report acknowledged that, by facilitating neuronal cell growth, previously damaged parts of the human brain could be repaired. 

Without question, this report is very encouraging and brings hope for the future. It goes without saying that no person expects to suffer a brain injury. However, these types of injuries can happen when least expected. Those in Delaware who have suffered brain injuries due to the negligence of another party could benefit from discussions with a legal representative. A lawsuit, if successful, could provide rightful and much-needed compensation to help victims and families through this experience.