New hope for those with TBI

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Traumatic brain injuries are debilitating to individuals who suffer from them - not only physically and emotionally - but economically as well.

A study commissioned by the CORE Health Foundation , a local advocacy group, found that each year in Texas, brain injuries cause an estimated $6.8 billion worth of economic trauma in terms of deaths, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and disability.

With that, the Dripping Springs based organization conducted an MRI scan on its first participant in a program researching brain plasticity - or how the brain can repair itself. The plan is to help individuals with TBI to improve their lives through learning and rehabilitative therapy.

Carl Ray has suffered from traumatic brain injury since a car accident in August 2009.  Since then he's had problems with short-term memory, balance and handling small objects.

“When he was in rehabilitation almost nine months ago, he was very confused and still thought he was in high school. Where as now, he very much understands that he does have a brain injury, that he needs rehabilitation, he’s excited to get back involved with rehabilitation,” said Dr. Nicole Harmon, Developing Director of the CORE Foundation.

Carl hopes the MRI will provide answers. “They can pinpoint the exact problem, and have the exact way to repair the brain injury,” said Carl.

After the MRI he will participate in in-patient rehabilitative therapy for five to six months. He will then undergo another MRI scan to detect improvements in brain function.

The MRI was performed at University of Texas Imaging Research center . In addition to imaging, the center will also be mapping the responses that Carl's brain makes when interacting with researchers.

“With these neuroimages we will be able to rapidly be able to see changes in the brain, and therefore make changes in our rehabilitation program,” said Dr. Harmon.

The CORE Foundation hopes this research will also help improves the lives of people suffering from autism, mental illness and developmental disabilities.