New research, published in The Journal of Physiology, may have provided a definitive answer to the question of whether a key molecule, ‘KCC2’ facilitates brain cell death after an injury or prevents it. The answer, which apparently indicates prevention, has prompted scientists to explore artificial production of the compound which could provide ‘neuroprotection’ to those who have suffered a brain injury, thereby preventing further injury to brain cells after an auto accident. All Atlanta personal injury attorneys welcome this development and the efforts of researches that may help hundreds of thousands of accident victims.
According to Dr. Igor Medina of the Université de la Méditerranée, “Neuron damage can result from acute events such as stroke, epilepsy or head injury or by chronic degeneration found in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. When brain tissue is damaged, cells often continue to die after the initial stimulus has stopped. So it is important to find a way of stopping this cascade of cell death.”
Furthermore, says Dr. Medina “Neuroprotective agents that may stem from this research would benefit the victims of car crashes, stroke[s], and those suffering with epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s – it is a major focus for further studies,” said Dr Medina.”
Auto accidents can cause severe, debilitating and permanent injuries, including injuries similar to those described above. Atlanta car accident attorney support the research of KCC2, as it provides them with more and better methods to help clients maneuver through the issues that often arise after an accident.
KCC2 is a ‘neuronal membrane transporter’ that helps to regulate brain cell growth. Research has shown that levels of KCC2 drops dramatically after brain injury, and now it appears that this drop actually can help decrease the damage done to the cells. It was discovered that damaged cells perished when the molecule was removed altogether. Conversely, when levels of KCC2 were artificially increased in the brain, the damaged cells were protected from further damage, and even death.
Even more importantly, experiments revealed how this potential new wonder drug will work. It can protect patients against the imbalance of oxygen that sometimes contributes to brain injury (also known as oxidative damage). In addition, KCC2 will prevent neurotransmitters from erroneously instructing cells to die (as they sometimes do after trauma) – a process known as excitotoxicity. If scientists are successful at producing the compound, the artificial molecule may be offered pharmaceutically or via gene therapy to patients one day soon.