Stanford University researchers are exploring the science of concussions. They may have discovered that the impact a concussion has on the brain may be far more complex than previously thought. Researchers modeled the brains of concussion victims and found that individuals who suffer from concussions or mild traumatic brain injury experience more intense shaking deep inside the brain when compared to the surrounding brain regions. The complexity of the brain is one of the reasons why the seriousness of a concussion is hard to predict. It can be difficult to forecast which parts of the brain will be most jostled and damaged in the process.
This may help explain why, after car accidents, some mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions may not be immediately diagnosed. It is known that some victims go days or even weeks before they realize that something is off, and before they are able to connect their insomnia, mood changes, memory problems, depression, anxiety, or other changes to their car accident. This is why it is important that family and victims alike follow up with doctors and report any changes they notice after a crash. Victims may also be wise to seek the advice of a car accident attorney like the Law Offices of Robert Gregg in Dallas, Texas.
Researchers are trying to study the biomechanics of the brain when it is impacted, but the results of the Stanford Study reveal that these mechanics may be far more complicated than previously thought. Researchers found that when the brain moved in unison inside the patient’s skull, the patients were less likely to see concussion symptoms. Yet, when the interior structures of the brain were jostled more rapidly than exterior areas, patients experienced symptoms. There is a network of nerves deep inside the brain known as the corpus collosum. This network of nerves links the left half to the right half of the brain and it seems to be impacted during concussion events. Researchers have also found that patients suffering from concussion often exhibit signs of damage to their corpus collosum.
Scientists are trying to identify what kinds of head impacts can most likely lead to damage of this brain area. This could lead to more rapid diagnosis of concussion victims and better diagnosis for these victims.
However, as it stands, doctors and scientists have a hard time assessing concussion victims. According to Slate, doctors still don’t have a reliable method to diagnose brain injury in victims. Again, this is why so many athletes might not be diagnosed after injury and why so many car accident victims may suffer in silence for days or weeks before they are diagnosed. To make matters more complicated, every person exhibits concussion symptoms in ways unique to them. This means that the best way to know whether you might be experiencing a concussion is when you or your family feel that something is “off” or not quite right after a crash. To make matters more complicated, tests that are commonly used may not include individuals who have learning disabilities.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Dallas, Texas, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Know the signs and symptoms of concussion. These include: memory changes, problems sleeping, depression, anxiety, dizziness, and other issues. If you believe you or a loved one suffered a concussion during a car accident, you may be entitled to seek damages to cover your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.