A New Link Between Proteins and Brain Injury
I recently read an article in New Scientist about a study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. The researchers found that brain-injured mice developed lower levels of certain amino acids known as BCAAs within a few days of being injured. The low-BCAA mice were divided into 2 groups, with one group getting plain water and the other group getting BCAA-enriched water. The mice in the 2nd group were reported to have normalized BCAA levels and performed better on a learning task. The research dovetails with similar findings from scientists at the University of Pavia in Italy.
More studies are needed, but the scientists speculate that amino acid infusions may one day be used to treat brain injuries. As well, BCAAs are prevalent in protein-rich foods, so it may be possible to help with the effects of brain injuries by consuming larger quantities of protein-rich foods. Of course, lean protein is also beneficial for overall brain health and function by stimulating the production of norepinephrine and dopamine, two neurochemicals that promote brain alertness and keep you energized.
This is great news for those suffering from brain injuries, as it opens up new pathways for further research into using protein-based therapies to treat brain damage.
You can read the New Scientist article in its entirety here.
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