A Nasal Spray for Concussions Shows Early Promise

The best treatment for a hard knock on the head might someday involve a quick sniff of a nasal spray. Researchers have found early evidence in mice that an antibody-based treatment delivered up the nose can reduce the brain damage caused by concussions and more serious traumatic injuries. Scientists at Mass General Brigham conducted the study, published Thursday in Nature Neuroscience. In brain-injured mice, the experimental spray appeared to improve the brain’s natural acute healing process while also reducing damaging inflammation later on. The findings could lead to a genuine prophylactic against the long-term impacts of traumatic brain injuries and other conditions like stroke, the researchers say. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are a persistent public health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 200,000 Americans were hospitalized by a TBI in 2020, while nearly 70,000 died as a result. Scientists are also learning that TBIs, including the ... Read full article.