Danger of Repeat Head Injuries: Brain’s Inability to Tap Energy Source

Researchers have published an animal study in the journal Neurobiology of Disease that details new findings regarding the healing of brain injuries and how secondary injuries during the healing process can severely limit recovery. Researchers studied the rate of recovery in mice brains following head injuries over 20 days, finding that the brain spiked its energy usage six days following the injury in order to recover from the damage. However, when secondary injuries took place three days before this energy spike, insulin receptor damage appeared to limit the ability to process glucose, and this necessary energy surge was made impossible, thus limiting overall recovery. “With injury, the damaged cells are not able to use energy even though they need it and the glucose is there. It appears that’s because the signals are messed up. It’s the same thing seen in Alzheimer’s patients. Cells are chronically undernourished even though the sugar level might be high,” the author revealed. To learn more about this study, click here.