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The International NeuroTrauma Society (INTS) had a successful Symposium this year, which was hosted in Cambridge from 1st-5th September 2024. The current Chair of INTS is our own Director, Peter Hutchinson, which allowed the Brain Injury HRC the unique opportunity to attend.
INTS run international Symposia every 2 years. They are a catalyst for neurotrauma research and education. They allow leading researchers from across the globe to meet, present and discuss innovations and ideas.
Wednesday 4th September, was the Sport and Head injury public session. Members of the public with a lived experience or special interest in brain injury were invited to attend to hear 4 speakers, most moving of which was Dawn Astle’s, founder of the Jeff Astle Foundation.
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Public Session Pannel
(left to right) Prof. Peter Hutchinson, Prof. Kevin Stokes, Prof. David Sharpe, Dr. Willie Stewart
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Dawn’s Story
Dawn Astle, proud daughter of former Notts County andEngland centre forward Jeff Astle, spoke in detail about her father’s life, career, and how the sport he loved eventually led to his devastating decline. In his prime, Astle was ‘The King’ to West Brom fans. In his last years, his dementia led to him forgetting not only his fans and his career but also his family and who he was. It was inspiring to hear how Dawn and her family have turned such a distressing experience into a lasting legacy, striving to improve the lives of all footballers and their families.
In 2014, Jeff was the first British professional footballer confirmed to have died from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), over 10 years after his death. CTE is a disease caused by repeated damage to the brain. Historically thought to be unique to athletes who play contact sports, there is now global recognition that footballers are an at-risk group due to the impact of heading the ball.
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Dr. Willie Stewart (left) and Dawn Astle (right) – INTS 2024
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The Impact
The work of the Jeff Astle Foundation, along with the loving devotion of West Brom supporters, has forced the Professional Footballers’ Association to recognise the impact that the game can have on its players, and the importance of ensuring support is available to athletes and their families. This has led to the phasing out of heading in age groups Under 12, and a commitment to limit header training in Under 18, Adult Amateur and Professional football.
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A large study in Glasgow found that professional players were 3.5 times more likely to suffer neurodegenerative disease than other people. Click here to watch the interview with Willie Stewart.
More research is needed to ensure the brains of all football players are protected, but the Jeff Astle foundation has played an instrumental role in raising awareness of acquired brain injury for all players.
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Researchers at Imperial College in London have developed a simple rating system for cycle helmets. They carried out tests, took data from manufacturers, and asked cyclists opinions to rank the helmets. This results provide a list ranking the protection they provide to the head and brain.
The project, funded by The Road Safety Trust, tested the UK’s 30 most popular helmets and found big differences in performance. There was no direct link with price; a helmet costing £130 did no better in tests than one costing £40.
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New treatment for spinal injury
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Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a new way to reduce the damage from traumatic spinal cord injury.
The therapy, tested in mice, works by reducing the body’s immune response to injury. After a serious injury we produce T-cells to fight off infection at the site. When too many are produced, they can attack surrounding tissue and cause autoimmune disease. This secondary problem can lead to reduced mobility and slower recovery. The team modified T-cells so that after a few days they would stop working. Mice treated with these altered cells had improved mobility.
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Theme Spotlight: Diagnostics
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Our diagnostics theme will look at new technologies for the assessment, stratification, and monitoring of all neurological disorders. This will include imaging, genomic sequencing, and biochemical markers both in hospital settings and beyond. The theme is led by Professor Stephen Price, (Consultant Neurosurgon, Director of Cambridge Brain Tumour Imaging Laboratory, and Co-Director CRUK Minderoo Brain Cancer Virtual Institute) with Co-Theme Lead, Professor Franklin Aigbirhio (Director of Radiochemistry at the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, leads the DP-UK imaging network, and is Co- Chair of the University of Cambridge Racial Equality Network).
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Register for Healthcare Involvement and Technology Evaluation
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Our aim is to make sure the right research is done to help patients and the public in the way they need it most. That means we need to hear from you!
By signing up for RHITE, you will receive information about relevant upcoming outreach sessions, research opportunities, workshops and surveys. These are run with clinical researchers and innovators who want to hear about your experience to help guide their research.
This register is delivered in partnership with a University of Cambridge partner, the Outcome Registry Intervention and Operation Network (ORION).
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i4i FAST Call 4 – Open Now!
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Invention for Innovation – Funding At the Speed of Translation – Call 4 in Acquired Brain Injury
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The NIHR i4i FAST is aimed at innovators in need of a small amount of funding to answer a specific question or a single activity to advance healthcare technologies and interventions for increased patient benefit.
i4i FAST Call 4 will support the development of innovative healthcare technologies for acquired brain injury (ABI), including the prevention, diagnosis and management of ABI as well as recovery from ABI.
Applications are now open! Register you interest by 16th October 2024. Final deadline for submission 23rd October 2024.
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Headway are running a series of webinars which focus on how to manage life after brain injury. They are open to all and begin 24th October.
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Chelmsford Science Festival
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Anglia Ruskin University are hosting a science festival in Chelmsford from 22nd-29th October. Family events over the weekend!
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The UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) time for change summit will take place on Monday 4th November in Manchester, with an awards ceremony the evening before.
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The Northern Acquired Brain Injury Forum (NABIF) will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29th November in Newcastle. More information to follow.
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