Drug combo may treat traumatic brain injury

Washington, Sept 19 (ANI): Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Centre have discovered drugs, which when administered in combined doses, could help treat traumatic brain injury.

While the majority of TBIs are concussions or other mild forms, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability and currently, there are no drugs available to treat TBI. A variety of single drugs have failed clinical trials, suggesting a possible role for drug combinations.

Peter J. Bergold and his colleagues tested five drugs in various combinations. Their observations suggest a potentially valuable role for minocycline plus N-acetylcysteine to treat TBI.

"There is great need for drugs to treat TBI. Perhaps the fastest way to get treatments to the clinic is to combine drugs already known to be both safe and effective. The combination of minocycline and N-acetylcysteine showed a large, synergistic improvement of cognition and memory after experimental traumatic brain injury. We are continuing these studies to get this combination in a clinical trial," Bergold said.

The results are published in the journal PloS One. (ANI)