A new program supported by the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation hopes to improve the lives of patients who have acute brain injuries.
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A key component of the study includes a series of studies that examines patients who have suffered a stroke, or trauma following a road accident.
Professor John Myburgh from UNSW’s Intensive Care Medicine is leading the program at St George Hospital.
In 2016 he received a Capacity Building grant from the foundation to develop and enhance brain injury research.
Central to this grant were funds to support specific clinical trials to determine and define the best body temperature to treat patients with traumatic brain injuries.
These studies identified key temperature thresholds where brain function is optimal following injury.
The studies were published in leading medical research journals and will be part of the focus of a major international medical congress hosted by the St George Clinical School and the foundation in August.
The congress will draw top international clinical researchers and scientists together.
Professor Myburgh says it is vital to re-examine treatments.
“There is an imperative to constantly evaluate current and new treatments in patients with acute brain injuries, as small improvements in brain function may have a substantive impact on how survivors with these devastating injuries survive, feel and function,” he said.
“This has been a tremendous investment by the foundation for our research program, for which we are very appreciative, but more importantly will assist us in the treatment of our patients.”
