Brain Injury Effects Are Devastating, Different - By: Katie Kelley

Recovering from a serious brain injury can take up to years and even after recovery, patients may not remain the same.

For example, a psychological victim known as SM has not been the same. SM is a victim to a rare case of brain damage to her amygdala, an almond-shaped region of her brain that according to a recent study published in December, gives her an inability to feel fear.

In the span of three months, researchers carried out endless experiments that they could think of to scare SM. "We tried to use stimuli common in Western society," says Justin Feinstein, a graduate student of the University of Iowa who worked on the study. They walked with her through haunted houses, showed her horror films, and used other stimuli that would otherwise terrify the average person. They also asked her questions about traumatic or fearful times in her past like when she was held up at knifepoint and gunpoint and nearly killed during a domestic dispute. They could not find any evidence that she was frightened, by her account or via their examinations.

Scientists found that she wasn't scared of anything, but instead, captivated by scary situations in which other people may be afraid. Before her injury, she was terribly scared of snakes; however, when the researchers took her to a pet shop, she was now immediately captivated by the snakes and began playing with them. She even picked up one snake and started to play with its tongue. She plainly stated she was engulfed by curiosity when queried to justify her behavior.

These observations suggest that our emotional response to danger is comprised of both fear and fascination. When we find ourselves in potentially dangerous situations, Feinstein says, "the amygdala helps us navigate the fine boundary between approach and avoidance." If the amygdala functions properly, these emotions, including fear, help in keeping us out of danger. However, when it is damaged, our response can jeopardize our survival, luring us to the things we should avoid. "The evolutionary value of fear is lost," deduced the researchers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each and every year. Of those, about 52,000 die and 275,000 are hospitalized. It is unclear how many people are receiving other medical care or no care at all.

Other long-term effects of brain injuries alter cognition, language, sensation and emotions according to the CDC website. Traumatic brain injuries can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders that become more persistent with age.

About the Author

In addition to helping individuals and their families find a potential traumatic brain injury attorney, LegalView also provides info on brain injury statistics, treatment options and causes of brain injuries. Also, LegalView offers info about auto accidents. Visit http://legalview.info/ for more info.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Katie-Kelley/56723

Additional Articles From - Home | Health & fitness | General health