Research in 2010
In Québec alone, thousands of head trauma victims are hospitalized every year, with one patient in five suffering from a severe case. What does “severe” head trauma lead to? Death for one person in three, and permanent after-effects for the majority of others that survive, including loss of memory, language and motor skills, balance and concentration, as well as changes to behaviour and personality.
Medically speaking, it has been proven that only partial lesions occur when the accident first happens. The injuries actually worsen in the hours and days following impact. Today, we still know very little about what causes these additional injuries.
Research thus plays an essential role in discovering and comprehending the causes of deterioration mechanisms. Deeper understanding of how the brain works can lead to the development of new treatments that would not only limit the extent of brain injuries, but also help create the optimal environment for the brain’s recovery. This could ultimately improve the survival rates and quality of life of victims suffering from traumatic brain injuries. That’s why the Foundation supports research into the first few days following head trauma.
Neurological science has always been a strong field of research in Québec and many researchers here are now looking into traumatic brain injuries. New methods are currently being used by researchers to monitor the brain following severe head trauma; these include the cerebral oxygenation measurement system at Montréal’s Sacré-Cœur Hospital and microdialysis to measure brain metabolism at the Montréal General Hospital.
In recent years, McGill University has been studying the effects of concussions on athletes, and the Université Laval has also launched a large-scale project - in collaboration with other Canadian research centres - looking at early evaluations of severe head trauma.
To continue to support research into craniocerebral trauma in Québec, the Foundation strategically invests in the future by funding secondary prevention. This could not only limit the aggravation of primary injuries, but also bring hope to thousands of head trauma victims needing better treatments.
Thank you for helping us to make these crucial discoveries.
Judith Marcoux, MD
FRCS(C), M Sc.
Neurosurgeon
Montréal General Hospital - MUHC