Meet the protein that drives nerve damage in traumatic brain injury
Researchers have uncovered the protein responsible for driving nerve damage following injury, revealing a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI).
TBI often occurs in sport and during military service when a sudden external force is inflicted on the head, damaging the brain; it is difficult to treat and can lead to extensive damage and death. This has prompted many neuroscientists to take to the bench to probe the mechanics underlying TBI and brain health. For example, one research group at the University of Southern California (CA, USA) has uncovered a protein, called TDP-43, that seemingly drives nerve damage following injury. Upon further investigation, they also discovered that the blocking of a different protein has a rectifying effect on faulty TDP-43, indicating the potential for improved therapies for TBI.
