Insights
Learn about the latest in concussion diagnosis, concussion aftercare, other traumatic brain injuries, and brain health.
Latest Insights
Viruses Cause Brain Injuries: Prevention is the Best Strategy
Most of us don’t think about the risks of viruses attacking the brain because it’s typical for other systems in the body, like the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems or the skin, to be attacked by viruses. But many viruses attack the brain, too, causing severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Anti-viral treatments may be unavailable or ineffective. Preventive measures (especially vaccination, if available) are the best strategies. Our public health systems, and therefore our entire US population, are now threatened by government misinformation and vaccine policy changes, so there is a resurgence of these diseases.
Trust the Experts
Choosing not to vaccinate invites the return of devastating diseases we once thought were consigned to history. Professional medical organizations are here to help, and through individual and collective efforts, we can work to regain the public’s trust in vaccinations. Dr. Sandel’s letter on this topic was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Sudden Insights and the Brain: The Aha Moment
The term insight can refer to a variety of human cognitive processes. An insight could derive from logical formations of ideas through analytic reasoning. Another kind of insight, the sudden creative idea, or the unexpected solution to a problem, is referred to as an “aha moment,” or an “aha experience.” Researchers are studying what brain activity underlies insight, and specifically the aha moment, through advanced technologies. This blog provides some possible ways to promote insight and the aha moment in our daily lives and work.
Flying in the Face of Facts: Denialism, Anosognosia, and the Human Brain
When someone refuses to accept an empirically verifiable reality, they call upon irrational thought processes and behaviors that produce denialism. People sometimes process information to reach conclusions driven not by rational analysis, but by specific motivations or beliefs.
The Repercussion Group Issues Urgent White Paper Warning Against “Run It Straight” and RUNIT Championship League
The Repercussion Group, a global coalition of medical and advocacy experts, has issued an urgent White Paper condemning the viral “Run It Straight” challenge and its commercial spin-off, the RUNIT Championship League, as dangerous and unethical. These events, which involve participants colliding at full speed for online entertainment, pose severe risks of brain trauma, spinal injury, and long-term neurodegenerative disease. The group warns that social media platforms are enabling and profiting from this harmful content, often targeting vulnerable individuals. They call for immediate policy action, including bans, content regulation, education initiatives, and research funding, to curb what they describe as a growing public health crisis.
Generosity: Neuroscience and the Golden Rule
Generosity is the act of giving to others without an intended benefit to oneself and may come in the form of time, effort, money or other resources. It is not a transaction or a “quid pro quo,” i.e., the act of giving something with an expectation of a reward. Researchers note that generosity likely evolved as an adaptation to promote human survival, and indeed the survival of other species as well. Generosity is one of a variety of human behaviors that benefit others and even the person being generous, or contribute to the common good.
The Human Brain: Highly Evolved or Doomed to Failure?
Protecting our planet so it can continue to sustain life requires a comprehensive and collective vision, with clear strategies and tactics. Richer nations have the resources to do the most to prevent catastrophe, as well as the greatest responsibility for causing it, but are taking little or no action. What is it about the highly evolved human brain that is not capable of saving our planet from extinction? Greed and materialism are a big part of the problem but so are other destructive human traits and behaviors. Can we foster constructive traits and behaviors to save our world?
Physiatry: An Introduction to PM&R
What is Physiatry? Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians, also known as physiatrists, treat a wide variety of medical conditions that affect the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), the peripheral nervous system (other nerves), and the musculoskeletal system (the bones, joints, and associated soft tissues). Physiatrists have…
Dr. Sandel: 2025 Plans
Here’s an update on Dr. Sandel’s professional plans for 2025.
AMA Hub offers Concussion CME
The AMA Ed Hub has posted the CME program produced by Dr. Sandel and Concussion Alliance.
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