New Concussion Drug Created in Florida
July 15th, 2013 by flanewsAfter nearly 10 years in development; a new drug to help people with concussions is about to undergo testing. The drug, which was created in Florida, will help people after they get a concussion.
Every year more than 1-point-3 million Americans bang their heads and end up with a concussion. A new drug developed at Florida State University College of Medicine may stop the concussion from turning into a more serious health issue. “If we can get this treatment in them very soon and manage them for 30 days after the injury we can prevent the negative long term outcomes associated with concussions,” said Dr. Jake VanLandingham.
Doctor Jake VanLandingham has been working on the new drug since 2004. The drug will reduce inflammation, and brain cell damage in concussion injuries. “We developed the concussion model to be able to test how well it worked,” he said.
There are three common ways mild-traumatic brain injuries happen: military-related accidents, car crashes, and sports- injuries. Florida A&M University head athletic trainer Akima Dima says there have been major advances in concussion treatment.
“Can it be controlled? I think to some extent, yes. It can be controlled,” said Akima Dima.
Even though the drug treatment may be here in the next few years, athletic trainers say they will continue to use their current concussion evaluation until the FDA approves the drug.
“We’re doing a good job in terms of monitoring the athletes and getting them back to the playing field so I don’t think I would do anything different right now,” said Dima.
Its estimated 90-percent of concussions are under diagnosed.
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