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Crystal clue in army brain injury | Crystal clue in army brain injury |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A colour-changing crystal attached to a soldier's uniform could help doctors decide if they need treatment for a brain injury, researchers say. | A colour-changing crystal attached to a soldier's uniform could help doctors decide if they need treatment for a brain injury, researchers say. |
The crystal reveals the intensity of a bomb blast the wearer has been exposed to, helping doctors treat injuries that might not be immediately apparent. | The crystal reveals the intensity of a bomb blast the wearer has been exposed to, helping doctors treat injuries that might not be immediately apparent. |
Shockwaves from bomb blasts can cause brain damage not visible on MRI scans, New Scientist magazine reports. | Shockwaves from bomb blasts can cause brain damage not visible on MRI scans, New Scientist magazine reports. |
US researchers recently presented the research at a neurotrauma conference. | US researchers recently presented the research at a neurotrauma conference. |
MRI scans pick up structural damage, such as bleeds on the brain, excess fluid or skull fractures. | MRI scans pick up structural damage, such as bleeds on the brain, excess fluid or skull fractures. |
But a shockwave, such as that caused by a bomb can cause damage on a cellular level, with microscopic tears in the brain. | But a shockwave, such as that caused by a bomb can cause damage on a cellular level, with microscopic tears in the brain. |
This would not be picked up on a scan but like any brain injury can cause long-term problems with symptoms such as headaches, behaviour change and memory loss. | This would not be picked up on a scan but like any brain injury can cause long-term problems with symptoms such as headaches, behaviour change and memory loss. |
Professor Shu Yang, from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, developed the device from a crystalline material which changes colour depending on its structure. | |
Many injuries fail to show up on MRI scans and yet the damage can be real and very serious Luke Griggs, Headway | Many injuries fail to show up on MRI scans and yet the damage can be real and very serious Luke Griggs, Headway |
When a shock wave hits the material, which would be in the form of a thin film, like a small sticker, the crystals would change shape and thus colour. | When a shock wave hits the material, which would be in the form of a thin film, like a small sticker, the crystals would change shape and thus colour. |
The researchers now need to determine how the colour changes correlate with the degree of neurological damage suffered. | The researchers now need to determine how the colour changes correlate with the degree of neurological damage suffered. |
If all goes to plan, doctors will be able to get a measure of the intensity of the blast, which in turn will help them gauge the severity of the brain injury and what treatment to provide. | If all goes to plan, doctors will be able to get a measure of the intensity of the blast, which in turn will help them gauge the severity of the brain injury and what treatment to provide. |
Force | Force |
"Depending on the damage, you'll have different colour intensities," said Professor Yang. | "Depending on the damage, you'll have different colour intensities," said Professor Yang. |
"Based on that information we can extract how much force the soldier has received." | "Based on that information we can extract how much force the soldier has received." |
Luke Griggs, spokesman from the brain injury association, Headway, said: "We welcome any new initiatives that may help doctors to diagnose and treat brain injuries sustained by soldiers. | Luke Griggs, spokesman from the brain injury association, Headway, said: "We welcome any new initiatives that may help doctors to diagnose and treat brain injuries sustained by soldiers. |
"However, the practical benefits of this research may not be seen for many years, if at all. | "However, the practical benefits of this research may not be seen for many years, if at all. |
"In the meantime, it is vital that every effort is made to accurately diagnose and treat brain injuries sustained from bomb blasts. | "In the meantime, it is vital that every effort is made to accurately diagnose and treat brain injuries sustained from bomb blasts. |
He added that brain injury can be very difficult to diagnose as there may not be physical signs. | He added that brain injury can be very difficult to diagnose as there may not be physical signs. |
"Many injuries fail to show up on MRI scans and yet the damage can be real and very serious." | "Many injuries fail to show up on MRI scans and yet the damage can be real and very serious." |
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