Big disappointment in brain injury treatment study

[unhappycamper]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20121120/us-med-brain-injury-treatment/?utm_hp_ref=media&ir=media




Big disappointment in brain injury treatment study
LINDSEY TANNER | November 20, 2012 04:01 PM EST | AP

CHICAGO — The hunt for brain injury treatments has suffered a big disappointment in a major study that found zero benefits from a supplement that the U.S. military had hoped would help wounded troops.

The supplement is marketed as a memory booster online and in over-the-counter powders and drinks. It is also widely used by doctors in dozens of countries to treat traumatic brain injuries and strokes, although evidence on whether it works has been mixed.

U.S. scientists had high hopes that in large doses it would help speed recovery in patients with brain injuries from car crashes, falls, sports accidents and other causes. But in the most rigorous test yet, citicoline (see-tee-KOH'-leen) worked no better than dummy treatments at reducing forgetfulness, attention problems, difficulty concentrating and other symptoms.

"We very much were disappointed," said Dr. Ross Zafonte, the lead author and a traumatic brain injury expert at Harvard Medical School. "We took a therapy that is utilized worldwide and we found that at least its present use should be called into question."

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[no_hypocrisy]

2. I can't imagine the benefits of supplements or powders/drinks when

a brain injury involves tissue damage, injury to blood vessels with bleeding and leakage. Some damage may or may not be permanent.