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#5Thoughts Friday

The



Electric Wrist Watch



Edition

10/25/2024

Photo of Nicole and James Herling  on NBC News

5) A year after Maine mass shooting, gunman's family wants action on brain injury research in military

LEWISTON, Maine — For the family of the Army reservist who carried out a mass shooting across Maine's second-largest city one year ago, dissecting what provoked the deadly rampage has been daunting.

Amid the heartbreak in Lewiston, where 18 people were massacred on the evening of Oct. 25, 2023, at a bowling alley hosting a youth night and a bar where deaf people were playing cornhole, the gunman's family contemplated remaining quietly in the shadows.

But the unspeakable violence inflicted on this community has spurred a very public purpose for the family: bringing awareness to traumatic brain injuries among military members and a call to action for continued research.

"We want to make sure this doesn't ever, ever happen again to another family," said Nicole Herling, the sister of gunman Robert Card.

CLICK HERE for more

Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels

4) Deep brain stimulation tested as a means of restoring lost function following traumatic brain injury

A BRAIN-funded study explores a novel approach of applying deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat the symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury. A second BRAIN-funded study examines the continued integration and understanding about the ethical implications of technologies like DBS. 

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a procedure where clinicians implant very fine wires into specific regions of the brain to change activity at those areas, has shown remarkable potential to help treat neurological disorders and injury. Since issuing its first awards in 2014, the NIH’s Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® Initiative, or The BRAIN Initiative®, has been at the forefront in driving the development of innovative neurotechnologies like DBS. A recent BRAIN Initiative-funded study took the novel approach of applying DBS treatment to treat the symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury [1]. This trial highlights the potential of research funded by the BRAIN Initiative and serves as a reminder of both the hopes and limitations of current technologies.

In December 2023, a team of researchers and clinicians from multiple institutions, published a paper in Nature Medicine showing that DBS delivered to a part of the brain called the thalamus helped five people recover some measure of higher brain processing that had been lost following traumatic brain injury.

CLICK HERE for full study.

Where?

This event will be offered via webinar. 1.5 CE credits will be available for CFPs, CPAs, and other professionals who attend.

When?

Wednesday, November 13th

10:00 - 11:15 a.m.

Irrevocable trusts are often misunderstood. Despite all the constant talk about their uses and applications, few clients, financial advisors, CPAs, and other professionals really understand the potential power and application of these estate planning, asset protection planning, tax planning, special needs planning, elder care planning, and charitable planning tools. And along these lines there are usually many unanswered questions such as when should irrevocable trusts be used?; what do irrevocable trusts really do and how do they function?; what are the downsides of irrevocable trusts?; how can we be sure not to miss opportunities with irrevocable trust planning?; are irrevocable trusts really suitable for most clients?; and more.

Photo by Anna Shvets   on Pexels

3) Study reveals patients with brain injuries who died after withdrawal of life support may have recovered

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of hospitalizations and deaths around the world, affecting more than five million people each year. Predicting outcomes following a brain injury can be challenging, yet families are asked to make decisions about continuing or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment within days of injury.

In a new study, Mass General Brigham investigators analyzed potential clinical outcomes for TBI patients enrolled in the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) study for whom life support was withdrawn. The investigators found that some patients for whom life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered some level of independence a few months after injury. These findings suggest that delaying decisions on withdrawing life support might be beneficial for some patients.

Families are often asked to make decisions to withdraw life support measures, such as mechanical breathing, within 72 hours of a brain injury. Information relayed by physicians suggesting a poor neurologic prognosis is the most common reason families opt for withdrawing life support measures. However, there are currently no medical guidelines or precise algorithms that determine which patients with severe TBI are likely to recover.

CLICK HERE for the full article.

2) Books We are READING This Week

Crookside

 By

Cheyenne Masenburg

A building built on the remains of an old laboratory houses five tenants, each with their own unique lives and challenges. As each tenant settles into their respective apartment, they realize that this apartment building is more strange than they once thought as they're forced to come to terms with their deepest fears, for better or for worse.

CLICK HERE to see more.

Looking for Something fun to do in Maryland this weekend? Click the picture below and discover a world of possibilities for things to do this weekend!

photo by Tom Larsen on Unsplash.com

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AND A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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