By Rick Shapiro, Brain and Head Injury Attorney

Exposure to the cold, causing hypothermia is a possible way ahead in the treatment of traumatic brain injury, according to experts.

But a note of caution was sounded about the revolutionary treatment this week.

The possible benefits of hypothermia treatment were outlined in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2008.

But more research is needed into hypothermia as a brain injury therapy before it can be considered safe for practice, one expert has said.

Luke Griggs, spokesman for UK-based brain injury association Headway, said that the results of research into cooling the brain have so far been divided.

Additionally, he said that more research must be carried out to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the hypothermia therapy into traumatic brain injury (TBI).

“Headway – the brain injury association – welcomes any innovations that may be beneficial in reducing the impact of traumatic brain injury,” he added.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in the UK, found that lowering the temperature of the brain to 35 degrees C in those who have just suffered a stroke gives doctors an extended period of time to carry out essential treatment.

Cooling induces a type of hibernation of the brain, they concluded.

As attorneys involved in traumatic brain injury cases, we have an interest in the latest technologies and medical treatments in the field.

Last year we reported on a conference held to discuss brain injury issues in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA).

The Beacon House was started by Matt Buckley, whose wife, Mary, suffered from a serious brain injury in 2004 and died in 2006 while still in a vegetative state. She received her traumatic brain injury during a surgery in which her heart stopped and her brain was starved of oxygen for 15 minutes. In response to his wife’s tragedy, he set up the non profit.

Our brain injury specialists have more than 100 year’s experience in this specialized field between them.

We have experience working with TBI victims, as well as doctors, neurologists, psychiatrists and other experts, and have handled cases across VA, NC and beyond. We will come to you including in and around the cities of Petersburg, Richmond, Roanoke, Emporia, Harrisonburg, Radford, Charlottesville, Martinsville, Danville, Franklin, Lynchburg, Winchester, Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, and Fairfax, Virginia,  (VA) or any other eastern U.S. location.

DM

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm whose attorneys focus on injury and accident law, and we have experience handling traumatic brain injury and general head injury cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Our primary office  in Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our attorneys achieved the largest verdict in Virginia’s history for a brain-damaged client in 2000. Our injury lawyers also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube. Furthermore, we proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as pro bono public information services. While not every brain injury case meets our criteria, if you or a loved one is thinking about taking legal action against a possibly at-fault person or company who caused your injury, call our office at (800) 752-0042 for a free consultation. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, be sure to leave a voicemail. We will return your call.