The Connection Between Amantadine and TBI

WFTV.COM in FLORIDA reports on Oct. 1, 2012 that Amantadine, the Flu drug, has been effective with improvement in recovery of cognitive skills amongst Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) victims. TBI is a brain injury caused by a sudden trauma to the brain. This usually is caused by a sports or automobile accident but can occur from other sudden traumas to the head. Sometimes TBI can occur from a brain hemorrhage in which case surgery will be indicated. TBI can be light, moderate or severe in nature and the treatment will vary accordingly. Symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, memory problems, blurred vision, a strange taste in the mouth, vomiting, seizures, slurred speech and more. A loss of consciousness may or may not occur. After stabilization when the proper amount of blood flow, oxygen and blood pressure control is established rehabilitation will have to occur to achieve normal functioning. This rehabilitation will consist of speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and social stability. Amantadine has now been used to treat those with consciousness disorders following a brain injury. In a recent test 184 patients who were vegetative or in a minimal conscious state were divided into two groups. One given the Amantadine and the other a placebo. The medication was continued for 4 weeks and then discontinued for 2 weeks. A marked improvement in recovery of cognitive skills occured amongst the amantadine group compared to the placebo. The drug must be actively used to speed recovery, though. The rehabilitation therapy that is part of the recovery of TBI patients should include the most effective physical therapy solutions available. The TUTOR system of physical therapy products is one such set of devices that has proven itself in TBI physical rehabilitation. The newly developed TUTORs consist of ergonomic wearable devices. The HANDTUTOR is a glove for hand therapy and the ARMTUTOR is an arm brace for elbow and shoulder rehabilitation. The LEGTUTOR is a leg brace for leg and hip issues. The system is indicated for patients who have suffered TBI, a stroke, SCI, CP, MS, Parkinson’s disease and other mobility restraining illnesses. It is used by occupational therapists and physiotherapists in rehabilitation centers, private clinics and the home where it can be supported by telerehabilitation. It is designed for those who have head, trunk, upper and lower extremity movement dysfunction. The accompanying software system consists of motivating and challenging games that allow the patient to practice isolated and/or interjoint coordination exercises. The dedicated rehabilitation software allows the physical and occupational therapist to fully customize the exercises to the patient’s movement ability. In addition, the OT and PT can make objective follow up and reports on their patient’s progress. Rehabilitation aims to optimizes the patient’s motor, sensory and cognitive performance and allows the patient to better perform everyday functional tasks to improve their quality of life. The TUTORS are certified by the FDA and CE See WWW.MEDITOUCH.CO.IL for more information.