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Spice ingredient and dye may reduce swelling caused by brain trauma
By Staff Writer
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is referred to as the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The condition is the result of damage to one's brain and symptoms can often overlap with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Mayo Clinic states that symptoms can range from a headache and difficulty sleeping to slurred speech and seizures.
However, researchers from the Medical College of Georgia believe that curcumin, an ingredient in the Indian spice turmeric, and the dye brilliant blue G may provide options for treating the swelling associated with TBI. The scientists believe that aquaporin-4, a channel that moves water in and out of cells may be responsible for the accumulation of fluid following trauma.
During a test, researchers found that curcumin blocked aquaporin-4, which resulted in less swelling. Mice with head trauma who were treated with curcumin had better recoveries and exhibited fewer behaviors associated with PTSD, such as depression and anxiety.
In addition to curcumin, brilliant blue G was shown to block an immune response known as P2X7 receptor. The researchers feel that blocking both aquaporin-4 and P2X7 may return the brain to its uninjured levels.
