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Jamshid Ghajar

Battlefield Device to Diagnose Brain Injury

Wall Street Journal Health Blog
Posted by Theo Francis

Roadside bombs have made brain damage a grim hallmark of modern war. A RAND study out today says 320,000 U.S. troops may have suffered brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan — and less than half say they were ever evaluated by a doctor.

Even where there’s no unconsciousness or visible head wound, mild brain damage, without prompt treatment, can cause lasting problems.

So how to tell if a soldier is just shaken up, or if he has a concussion needing quick attention? Brain scans aren’t realistic in a battle zone; and thorough field tests can take 15 minutes or more (see a Navy version of the clinical practice guideline for managing concussions). Besides, symptoms of concussion or other mild traumatic brain injury are often easy to confuse with psychological problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Pentagon’s answer: A gizmo that could evaluate a soldier in seconds. And the Defense Department is giving the Brain Trauma Foundation $4.6 million over four years to come up with a device that can do just that–and is rugged enough to function in Iraq. It’s part of $300 million Congress set aside for research into traumatic brain injury and psychological health.

The battlefield-ready version isn’t finished. When it is, it’ll probably include goggles or a visor attached to a PDA. But at its heart will be a tiny, high-resolution camera and software to measure how well the soldier can track a red dot traveling in a small circle. How consistently the eye tracks the dot– both initially, and then while the patient concentrates on a simple task, like remembering five words – indicates how much damage was done, said Jamshid Ghajar, the foundation’s president and a clinical neurosurgeon at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Here’s the science behind the gizmo: When a person’s head whips suddenly – whether from a bomb blast or a car accident – the brain whips around as well. Even if the brain doesn’t slam into the skull and bruise, the sudden motion can create tiny tears in the connections between parts of the brain governing attention. Those tears can cause memory and attention problems, too. And in some cases, the injuries predispose the untreated victim to much more serious brain damage from subsequent concussions.

Some concussions are obvious. Others aren’t, especially in a chaotic environment, says Col. Tony Carter, a U.S. Army colonel, former surgeon and interim director for strategy and planning at the Pentagon’s new Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. Concussion victims may appear to be doing fine — until stressed, when their attention can collapse. As Col. Carter put it: “They may not respond appropriately in circumstances in which, if they had not had their bell rung, they would have responded just fine.”

One way to gauge the extent of the damage is to measure variations in the brain’s timing; the more variation, especially while the subject is concentrating on something else, the greater the damage, Ghajar told Health Blog. His research has measured these correlations, using a version of the eye-tracking test, with damage visible in specialized brain scans of civilian head-trauma patients.

“When you’re paying attention to something, you’re actually predicting what happens,” Ghajar said. “Without timing, you can’t pay attention, you can’t learn, you can’t function in the outside world.”

26-Jul-2008
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closed head injury

by cynthia harrison (not verified) on

I suffered a hea injury 4 years ago ad i am still feeling effects everyday of this injury. reading listening, and even talking is a struggle for me each day. sometimes i have to go a week with out doing mental activity so that my brain can rest. I think sometimes of killing myself because i am in this by myself no one can help me and no one belives me not even my family. I have been to several doctors and have had every test under the sun done and of course nothing shows anything so everyone says it's nothing and nothing is wrong. I know what i am feeling inside my head and it is scary. There are times in the day when i can't focus anymore or anything i hear read and it's scary the only thing that helps me is to sleep. sometimes i think let me just stay asleep for days. please help me i will come to New York to get help if that's what it takes i live in Laplace, la. a small town about 50 mins from New Orleans,La. i am willing to do whatever it takes to have a life again. I am scared and need help so much.Thanks cynthia harrison


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Congratulations..

by Anonymous* (not verified) on

Congratulations to Dr. Jamshid Ghajar, and his family for his success. You are a source of pride for all Iranians.


A great deal of gratitude should be given to researcher and innovator such Dr. Jamishe Ghajar specifically in the field of medicine, who brings hope for ambiguous health condition and turn it in opposite direction.


Mazloom

He makes me proud to be Iranian

by Mazloom on

I have read about him and his accomplishment before. He has invented several neurosurgical devices which are now used world-wide. I believe one of them is gadget that regulates the pressure inside the brain to reduce trauma to the brain. He is without a doubt "The Iranian of the Day". He makes me proud to be Iranian in this country.


Souri

JJ jan, congratulation to you

by Souri on

Your brother is a great man. I didn' t understand the whole page, I must read it twice to get all the point, as my English is so weak.

But over all, I'm amazed by Dr Ghajar's achievement and very proud of having such a great soul among our Iranian community .

Thank you for sharing.


Tahirih

Mr Javid , your brother is an example of perfection.

by Tahirih on

First I have to say that , by making his last name bolded, I have got your message:))

Second , I think he is perfect , not because he is handsome and famous and has Qajar last name, but because of the following:

""

Every imperfect soul is self-centred and thinketh only of his own good. But as his thoughts expand a little he will begin to think of the welfare and comfort of his family. If his ideas still more widen, his concern will be the felicity of his fellow citizens; and if still they widen, he will be thinking of the glory of his land and of his race. But when ideas and views reach the utmost degree of expansion and attain the stage of perfection, then will he be interested in the exaltation of humankind. He will then be the well-wisher of all men and the seeker of the weal and prosperity of all lands. This is indicative of perfection. "" I know another ,great man that is as perfect, You sir,with your open mind, and passion for equality and humanity. With most regards, Tahirih

faryarm

He is Brilliant...

by faryarm on

Dr. Jamshid Ghajar is truly a pioneer..and a good human being.

No doubt one who brings deserved pride to the Ghajar name and  legacy...

 

 

 

 


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