At a time when research is ongoing to develop a test to diagnose CTE in living patients, other research could lead to advances aimed at reducing the risk of brain damage from concussions.
Via John Ellis of News-Items.com, a new study suggests that a postbiotic could reduce the risk of brain damage after a concussion.
As explained by Rachel Melegrito of NewScientist.com, "[m]ice that had traumatic brain injuries experienced less damage and performed better on cognitive tests if they were given a postbiotic — a byproduct produced when gut bacteria digest food — before injury.”
Based on the findings, people at risk of traumatic brain injuries (football players, military personnel, etc.) could be given the postbiotic on a preventive basis.
The molecule at the heart of the study is called “indole-3-propionic acid.” It’s produced when gut bacteria break down tryptophan.
Researchers found that higher levels of IPA are associated “with less swelling around brain lesions and better neurological outcomes six months later.” They then tested the hypothesis by giving IPA to mice prior to traumatic brain injuries. (Good luck not envisioning the specific mechanism for giving mice traumatic brain injuries.)
The potential neurological benefits of IPA date back to 1999. Given that IPA is cheap and can be taken orally, it could provide a useful strategy for limiting the negative impacts of head trauma.
Further studies will focus on the potential benefits of proactive postbiotic consumption for humans who suffer head trauma. For now, it’s at least a reason to believe that there could be something that football players could take that would potentially protect the brain against the various blows to the head that are absorbed while practicing and playing.
