Regulating Metal In The Brain May Hold A Cure For Alzheimer’s

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Posted on 2nd February 2012 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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In the quest to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, researchers are studying the impact of metals such as iron, copper and zinc on the brain, according to The Wall Street Journal.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204740904577192901072611524.html

This week The Journal reported on an Australian study, published  last Sunday, that discovered that getting rid of excess iron in the brain can temper the symptoms of Alzheimer’s in tests with mice. It’s hoped that the same can be shown to be true for humans.

The presence of higher-than-normal amounts of certain metals in the brain, namely iron and copper, are found in people who have Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, according to The Journal. In contrast, low levels of zinc seem to negatively impact memory, and if that metal gets into the wrong parts of the brain it can cause trouble.

In the past research on Alzheimer’s has focused on markers, or certain proteins, that are found in abundance in the brain’s of those with the disease. But The Journal suggests that studying the part that metals play in the brain’s functioning could provide another option for a possible cure.

The problem with metals and the brain is that as people age, the proper level of subsances such as iron or zinc becomes unbalanced. In the case of iron, for example, that metal is important because it helps the body generate energy, according to The Journal.  But iron also creates free radicals that can damage cells in the body.

Without enough iron, a person becomes anemic. But too much iron in the brain isn’t good, and high levels of that metal has been found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. 

In the Australian research, aging mice who had Alzheimer’s symptoms also accumulated iron in their brains, The Journal reported. But when the mice were given a drug that got rid of the extra iron, their Alzheimer’s symptoms “reversed,” according to the story.

The article offers an interesting look at another link in the complicated path to finding a cure for dreaded Alzheimer’s.                    

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

First Lady Unveils Coordinated Effort By Medical Schools To Train Doctors To Treat TBI, PTSD, In Vets

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Posted on 13th January 2012 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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It looks like the Obama administration is making a real effort, on behalf of veterans and the military, to promote research and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Earlier this week First Lady Michelle Obama, during an address at Virginia Commonwealth University, announced that 130 research facilities and medical schools are joining in a coordinated effort to combat TBI and PTSD. 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/11/first-lady-michelle-obama-announces-major-coordinated-effort-americas-ac

The facilities — 105 medical colleges and 25 osteopathic colleges — have committed to train students in treating brain injuries, PTSD and other mental-health issues affecting returning service members.

A press release Wednesday said that as part of  Obama and Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) had “committed to creating a new generation of doctors, medical schools, and research facilities that will make sure our heroes and their families receive the care worthy of their sacrifice.”

As part of this collaboration, the 130 schools associated with the AAMC and AACOM pledged to leverage their missions in education, research, and clinical care to train the nation’s physicians to meet the unique health care needs of the military and veterans communities. 

“I’m inspired to see our nation’s medical schools step up to address this pressing need for our veterans and military families,” the First Lady said in a statement. “By directing some of our brightest minds, our most cutting-edge research, and our finest teaching institutions toward our military families, they’re ensuring that those who have served our country receive the first-rate care that they have earned.”

The AAMC and AACOM are committing to improve the education in their medical schools, the research in their laboratories, and the clinical care in their hospitals to better address the health issues that military families face, according to the press release. Let’s hope that’s true. 

Specifically, these organizations are committing to:

• Train their medical students as well as their current physicians, faculty, and staff to better diagnose and treat veterans and military families
• Develop new research and clinical trials on PTSD and TBI to better understand and treat those conditions
• Share their information and best practices with one another through a collaborative web forum created by the AAMC
• Continue to work with the VA and the Department of Defense to make sure that everyone is providing the best care available.

“Because of our integrated missions in education, clinical care, and research, America’s medical schools are uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in this important effort,” said Dr. Darrell Kirch, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

 “Medical schools have long recognized the sacrifice and commitment of our military, veterans and their families,” he said. ” The relationship between the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and academic medicine dates back to the end of World War II and serves as a model for successful partnerships between public and private institutions.  Our work with the White House on Joining Forces is a natural extension of our efforts in this area and renews our commitment to the wellness of our nation’s military.”

Dr. Stephen Shannon, president and CEO, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, also had a statement.

“A central component of the White House Joining Forces Initiative is wellness, and I am pleased to announce AACOM’s participation in a new Joining Forces effort that could have a significant impact on the health and well-being of our nation’s veterans,” he said. 

Examples of universities stepping up to provide for veterans and their families include:

• Virginia Commonwealth University, where they’re leading a groundbreaking project to provide resources and training to health care providers, volunteers, and community members throughout Virginia who can help ease the transition home for veterans with TBI and PTSD.
• The University of Pittsburgh, where researchers are developing a new imaging tool that allows the visualization of the wiring of the brain in vivid high definition, which could lead to new breakthroughs in the diagnosis of TBI.
• The University of South Florida, where they are working with the Department of Defense and the VA to create a first-of-its-kind Center for Veterans Reintegration, which will mean a single, cohesive research, treatment and education facility for veterans and families.

Obama and  Biden created Joining Forces to bring Americans together to recognize, honor and take action to support veterans and military families as they serve our country and throughout their lives. The initiative aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure veterans and military families have the support they have earned.

The initiative focuses on key priority areas – employment, education, and wellness while raising awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of America’s veterans and military families.

 More information is available at: www.JoiningForces.gov.

Here is a list of the 130 universities and colleges participating in the new  program:

• University of Alabama School of Medicine
• University of South Alabama College of Medicine
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
• Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
• AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine of Arizona
• University of Arizona College of Medicine
• Loma Linda University
• Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
• Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• UC Davis Health System
• University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
• Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
• Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
• Yale School of Medicine
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
• George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Howard University College of Medicine
• Florida State University College of Medicine
• Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Florida International University
• Nova Southeastern University College os Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Florida College of Medicine
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
• Emory University School of Medicine
• Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University
• Mercer University School of Medicine
• Morehouse School of Medicine
• University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine
• Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
• Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
• Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
• Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
• Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
• The Chicago Medical School in conjunction with the Lovell Federal Health Care Center
• University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
• University of Illinois College of Medicine
• Indiana University
• University of Kansas Medical Center
• University of Kentucky College of Medicine
• University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans
• Tulane University School of Medicine
• Boston University School of Medicine
• Harvard Medical School
• Tufts University School of Medicine
• University of Massachusetts Medical School
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Science’s F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine
• University of Maryland School of Medicine
• University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
• Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Michigan Medical School
• Wayne State University School of Medicine
• University of Minnesota Medical School
• Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine AT Still University
• Saint Louis University
• University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
• University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
• Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
• University of Mississippi School of Medicine
• Creighton University School of Medicine
• University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine
• The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
• Wake Forest School of Medicine
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
• University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Dartmouth Medical School
• Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of New Mexico School of Medicine
• University of Nevada School of Medicine
• Hofstra North Shore – LIJ School of Medicine
• New York Institute of Technology New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
• State University of New York Upstate Medical University
• Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University at Buffalo State University of New York School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• The Ohio State University
• Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
• University of Toledo College of Medicine
• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
• Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
• Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
• Pacific Northwest University of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Commonwealth Medical College
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
• Penn State University College of Medicine
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Temple University School of Medicine
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine
• Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville
• University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
• Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Meharry Medical College
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Baylor College of Medicine
• The Texas A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
• The University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• The University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio
• University of Texas Medical School at Houston
• University of Utah School of Medicine
• Eastern Virginia Medical School
• University of Virginia School of Medicine
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
• Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Washington School of Medicine
• Medical College of Wisconsin
• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
• The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University
• West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
• West Virginia University School of Medicine

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Colorado Concussion Law Goes Into Effect Jan. 1

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Posted on 29th December 2011 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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Colorado at the turn of the new year will join the parade of states that have instituted laws to protect young athletes from concussions, according to the Associated Press.

http://www.kjct8.com/news/30089404/detail.html

Effective Jan. 1, coaches are mandated to take players as young as 11 years old out of play when  it’s  suspected they have sustained a head injury. In addition, these young athletes will need to get medical clearance before they can get off the bench and play again.

Colorado’s new concussion law also makes coaches in both public and private schools take an annual online training course that instructs them about detecting concussion symptoms.

Literally dozens of states have already enacted legislation similar to what Colorado is doing, according to AP.

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Stroke Victim’s Family Faces Financial Ruin Due To Medical Bills

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Posted on 25th November 2011 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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Brain injuries no only take a horrific physical and emotional toll on patients and their families, they can also take a financial toll. 

Such is the case with the Granelli family of Stanhope, N.J., who are in financial ruin after Karen Granelli, 55, suffered a burst aneurism and stroke about three years ago. Her story was chronicled by Star-Ledger columnist Bob Braun on Monday, in an article with the headline, “A terrible affliction, an unbearable debt.”

http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2011/11/braun_plight_of_stanhope_famil.html

Karen and her husband Joesph had been doing well, essentially untouched by the recession, prior to her illness. She was a rehabilitation counselor. He was a quality assurance engineer who moonlighted as an appliance salesman, according to Braun. Their daughter Sarah was attending Seton Hall University.

But then Karen had a stroke, which ended up paralyzing her.

In the wake of that life-altering experience, the Granellis are losing everything they worked so hard to get because of their staggering medical bills.

The couple is in bankruptcy and their home is in foreclosure, according to Braun. Their daughter had to drop out of college. And the Granellis are responsible for medical bills “for more than $650,000 not covered by insurance or limited by the bankruptcy filing,” Braun wrote. 

The medical bills are for several weeks that Karen was hospitalized. As Braun points out, Joseph Granelli’s $1 million medical insurance’s lifetime cap was reached quite quickly. This is the kind of problem anyone with a brain injury could face.

“The Granellis aren’t the only people in trouble because of their medical bills, but their story is remarkable because they hit the bottom so  fast — despite spending their lives doing everything right,” Braun wrote.

And that’s wrong.

  

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

A Case Study In The Long Road After Brain Injury: Gabrielle Giffords’ New Book

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Posted on 5th November 2011 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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The book by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’  husband is set for release Nov. 15, and it promises to offer a frank look at the difficulties of recovering from traumatic brain injury. That includes the physical, mental and emotional challenges of living after being shot through the brain.

The Associated Press got an advance copy of the book, “Gabby: A Study of Courage and Hope,” which was written by Giffords’ husband, ex-astronaut Mark Kelly. The rest of the media have picked up, or expanded on, AP’s story about the book, including the New York Post.  

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/gabby_vows_will_return_iBDi5E1JhZ1RHcj7fWrfZP

Giffords was shot in a horrific attack at a Tucson grocery store that left six people dead Jan. 8, including federal Judge John Roll.

According to the book, when Kelly first saw Giffords after the shooting she was in the hospital in a coma, her head shaved and bandaged. He told her that she would survive and that he loved her.

It wasn’t until March 12 that Kelly was able to explain exactly what had happened to her, and the other victims, according to the book.

At that time Kelly asked Giffords if she remembered being shot, and her reply was yes, and that she recalled being “Shot,  shocked, scary.” That same day, Giffords told her that six people had been killed during the terrible attack, and she became upset and wept.

Six months later she was told exaclty who died, even after Kelly warned her it would be difficult for her to hear because she knew two of the victims. It was then learned that her friend Roll and one of her staff members were among the dead, according to the book.

Like many people who suffer TBI, Giffords had to be taught to walk and talk again. That resulted in some almost comic moments. When George H.W. Bush visited her at the Houston hospital where she was undergoing rehab, the only word Giffords could say was “chicken.”

It appears that the book will illustrate the ups and downs of recovering from TBI, that a step forward can end up with two steps backward. The American public, hopefully, will get a lesson in brain injury.

According to the Post, the last chapter of the book, “Gabby’s Voice,” was written by Giffords herself.  It is one page and  includes short sentences, including one regarding her future in Congress.    

Here is one of them: “I will get stronger. I will return.”

You go girl

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Congressmen Giffords, Pascrell Partner To Guarantee Care For Those With Traumatic Brain Injury

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Posted on 19th October 2011 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ staff and Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey have teamed up to close any “treatment gap” for those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to be covered by the federal Affordable Care Act.

Giffords, a Democrat serving the 8th District in Arizona, was shot in the head in January and has been undergoing rehab for her devastaing brain injuries ever since. Pascrell, a Democrat representing the 8th District in New Jersey, is an advocate for making TBI be covered under President Barack Obama’s health care reform. Pascrell is also co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.

 On Tuesday Pascrell held a press conference at the Kessler Institute in West Orange, N.J., lamenting the fact that TBI victims across the nation are being denied access to medical treatments that could change their lives, according to The Star-Ledger of Newark. That paper’s story was headlined “Rep. Pascrell:Ensure care for brain damage.”      

  http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/rep_bill_pascrell_wants_brain.html

Earlier in the month, on Oct. 7, Pascrell issued a press release applauding the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) recommendations regarding treatment that should be available for people who sustain brain injuries. 

http://pascrell.house.gov/list/press/nj08_pascrell/pr100720112.shtml

The IOM had recommended that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services make its definition of medical necessity under its essential health benefits regulations “be flexible and take into account medical services that produce incremental health benefits even if there are added costs,” according to Pascrell’s press release.

That recommendation followed efforts in April by Pascrell and Giffords’ staff of to urge Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to ensure that all Americans with traumatic brain injury have access to quality, affordable care through the Affordable Care Act.

“This is a major step forward toward closing the co-called treatment gap among people who sustain a brain injury,”  Pascrell said in his press release in early October. “Whether we are talking about soldiers on the battlefield, children on the ball field, or any other American, people with brain injuries deserve the best possible chances to get better and resume their lives. That’s what the Affordable Care Act is all about. That’s one of the many lessons we have all learned from the bravery of Congresswoman Giffords this year. I want to thank her and her staff for their commitment to this work on behalf of all Americans. I look forward to continuing the effort until this benefit becomes the law of the land.”   

One of Pascrell’s statements on the House floor was cited in the IOM report.

Pascrell has argued that necessary medical services aren’t merely to cure disease, but for any patients needing rehab care, should also include “items and services used to restore functional capacity, minimize limitations on physical and cognitive functions, and maintain or prevent deterioration of functioning.”


 

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Actress Mary Tyler Moore Recovering From Brain Surgery

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Posted on 14th May 2011 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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Actress Mary Tyler Moore is recovering after having a four-hour surgery Friday to remove a benign tumor from her brain, according to various press reports. 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/13/us-marytylermoore-idUSTRE74B52G20110513

Moore, the 74-year-old who made her name in the sitcoms ”The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” opted to have the elective surgery.

For a number of years now she has lived knowing she had a meningioma, which is a benign tumor of the tissue lining the brain. 

Moore’s family didn’t specifiy where or when the surgery took place. But a spokeswoman for the actress issued a statement. 

“Mary Tyler Moore underwent a four-hour procedure,” the statement said. “The tumor was resected in it entirety and she will require no additional surgery.  According to her surgeon, she tolerated the procedure without difficulty and is recovering nicelywith her husband at her bedside.”   

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Sideline Test Can Quickly Diagnose Concussions In Athletes

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Posted on 24th April 2011 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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Here is something that could be a life-saver, or at least a brain-saver, for athletes: A test for concussions that can be performed on the sidelines and takes just a minute.

http://www.subtlebraininjury.com/blog/wp-admin/comment.php?action=editcomment&c=402

A study on the effectivness of the simple test, was done by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. According to a story by Science Daily, the test just entails an athlete reading single-digit numbers from cards. A baseline time is established for the athlete to complete the task.

If an injured athlete takes longer to do the test than that baseline, particularly if it takes more than five seconds more than the baseline time, he or she is likely to have sustained a concussion.

This King-Devick test works by gauging ”impairments of eye movement, attention, language and other symptoms of  impaired brain function,” according to Science Daily. Vision is an important indicator of brain function. In fact, the study was funded by the National Eye Institute.

The researchers said that the King-Devick test, unlike more sophisticated tests, isn’t affected by whether a person is depressed or by their intelligence level.

This test should have been used just over a week ago during an NBA game, when Indiana Pacer Tyler Hansbrough was elbowed in the head by Kurt Thomas of the Chicago Bulls. Hansbrough was on the floor was several minutes until he was walked out with the help of several men.

As he left the basketball court, Hansbrough got wobbly and had to be seated so he wouldn’t fall down. It was pretty obvious that he likely suffered a concussion.

But guess what? He was still  allowed to back and play in the game. That was the height of stupidity on the part of NBA officials.   

    

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Physician Tries Healing Herself: What Happens When A Neurosurgeon Has A Stroke

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Posted on 20th March 2011 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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There has been a rise in the number of younger people who are having strokes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I’ve run across recent anecdotal evidence of it.

 The hiphop artist Nate Dogg, for example, just died of complications from a stroke at 41. And Oriana Cornett suffered one at age 37.

It has been devastating for Cornett: She was two months shy of becoming a certified neurosurgeon. Now, because of her stroke, Cornett  can’t move her left hand.

The Star-Ledger of Newark did a profile of Cornett last Thursday.    

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/umdnj_doctor_to_give_talk_rela.html

The only good thing about a physician getting a disease or condition is that they then become witnesses who can relate their experiences to their colleagues in the medical world. In Corbett’s case, she is lecturing — from the point of view of a stroke patient — at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in Newark, where she studied.

Cornett had her stroke last April, almost a year ago, according to The Ledger. She woke up in her residence in Harlem and started to get ready to go to UMDNJ. She soon discovered that she couldn’t move her left hand, and she fell to the floor when her left leg went out from under her.

Initially, Cornett thought she was suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome. She would not go to the hospital, even though her husband wanted her to.

When he came back home that day, he found Cornett on the floor again. She told him she was not going to work that day, not realizing that eight hours had passed. Her brain, deprived of oxygen because of her stroke, had scrambled her ability to gauge time.

As The Ledger pointed out, Cornett had suffered a major stroke, and had not had medical care for it until hours later.

Cornett had been quite healthy prior to her stroke, and doctors don’t know the reason she had one. She underwent months of difficult rehabilitation, just like any other stroke patient. She learned first-hand how hard it is to get back movement in a face or a foot, to learn how to walk again. 

Cornett has been working full-time since the summer, but as The Ledger says, “Her career as a surgeon is on hold.”

Right now, in addition to being a speaker at a stroke conference at UMDNJ, Cornett on been doing research on how rest helps stroke patients, something she discovered herself.   

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

Teen’s Basketball Concussion Turns Her Into A Southpaw

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Posted on 26th February 2011 by gjohnson in Uncategorized

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Here’s another truth-is-stranger-than-fiction story about brain injury. 

A teenager in Washington state sustained a concussion during a basketball game, and wound up getting amnesia and becoming left-handed. http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=12982365

The case involves Mikayla Wilson, 14, of Spangle, Wash. She was knocked to the ground during a basketball game, but didn’t become unconscious or seem to suffer any head injury. Wilson played several more quarters, and then looked around at her teammates and asked her mother why the girls were dressed like her and looking at her, according to ABCnews.com.

A local hospital did a CT scan on Wilson and didn’t detect any bleeding or skull fractures, Doctors diagnosed the teen’s amnesia as a symptom of a concussion. 

Nearly a  month after her injury, Wilson is still having problems with her memory. She can’t remember friends’ names and couldn’t remember how to play the flute and saxophone.

But perhaps strangest of all, Wilson suddenly started writing with her left hand. She had been ambidextrous as a child.

But there is a bright spot to this story: Wilson’s memory about some things is beginning to return. 

Attorney Gordon Johnson
Past Chair Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, American Association of Justice
g@gordonjohnson.com :: 800-992-9447 :: Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

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