New Substance Studied to Minimize Traumatic Brain Injury
Poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) is being hailed as a possible new treatment used to minimize traumatic brain injury. The research is still in its initial phases. In the Journal of Biological Engineering a paper describes an experiment infusing rats suffering from a TBI with the self-described “spackle-like” substance within 2 to 6 hours of the injury. The PEG helped neurons by “sealing up” leaky membranes. The scientists found that the rats that were given intravenous PEG within 4 hours after brain injury had a better recovery than the rats who received a placebo. If further studies prove successful PEG could soon be carried in ambulances for immediate use in head trauma victims.
