When a patient suffers a traumatic brain injury, the human body will typically mobilize immune cells to start the inflammatory response process as part of the body’s effort to heal. Unfortunately, when it comes to head trauma, these immune cells’ inflammatory response can actually further damage the brain tissue, leading to impaired cognition, memory and motor control.

Because of this, an emphasis has been placed on identifying ways to reduce both short-term and long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury. But what if there was a medication that could moderate this inflammatory response to do just that?

A new study by the University of Kentucky has uncovered how an experimental drug called MW151 targets neuroinflammation and reduces damaging inflammatory responses in TBI.

MW151 Shows Promise

In the initial testing phases, MW151 blocked the release of the chemicals that triggered inflammation in a rodent who suffered from closed head trauma—a type of traumatic brain injury where the brain knocks against the skull. While the drug prevented the inflammation-causing chemicals from being released, it maintained the other immune cells that repair the brain damage.

This could mean that an injured worker suffering from a traumatic brain injury would be able to mitigate some of the immediate and long-term side effects that accompany this type of head trauma. With MW151, cognitive impairment was reduced, leading to more positive outcomes in the study.

The Future of Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment

According to study coauthor Linda Van Eldik, PhD, “Traumatic brain injury represents a major unmet medical need, as there is currently no effective therapy to prevent the increased risk of dementia and other neurologic complications, such as post-traumatic epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disorders and post-concussive symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, memory problems, dizziness and irritability. MW151 represents an important next step in the process to help people with TBI.”

With the success of MW151 in its initial trials, researchers hope to begin clinical trials of the drug in the next few years. Paradigm Outcomes continually monitors medical advances that may one day improve clinical results for catastrophically injured workers. Stay up to date with all the news by connecting with Paradigm on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.