Editorial: Wake treatment to heal warriors should make us proud

Technology developed at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center that promises to dramatically advance the treatment of traumatic brain injury is yet another breakthrough by local researchers that could lead to better treatment of injured soldiers.

The technology, called mechanical tissue resuscitation, was developed as part of a three-year, $1.5 million study funded by the Department of Defense, the Journal's Richard Craver reported. The results of the study were published recently in the journal Neurosurgery.

The new treatment joins cutting-edge advances in recent years at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where scientists have grown new organs and other body parts using patients' cells. Researchers hope to improve treatment of burn injuries and grow replacement parts for injured soldiers. The institute also receives funding from the DOD.

The Wake Forest Baptist technology uses a device to remove fluid and other toxins from an injury site in the brain. When the brain is injured, cells are damaged and die, releasing toxins that cause swelling and more cell death. The device removes the fluid and toxins and reduces swelling. In tests on rats, 50 percent more brain tissue was preserved and function returned faster than with untreated animals. The research team was led by Dr. Louis Argenta and Michael Morykwas, who are professors in the department of plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

"The Department of Defense has identified this as an area that is ripe for medical advancement," Dr. Stephen Tatter, professor of neurosurgery at Wake Forest Baptist and co-author of the study, told the Journal. "We believe it will soon be ready for a clinical trial."

The Wake Forest Baptist researchers are studying the same technology in stroke and brain-hemorrhage models.

The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, meanwhile, has joined with the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine to form the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine. They and teams from some 30 other institutions are working on burn treatment, craniofacial reconstruction, limb reconstruction and other treatments for injured warriors, according to the Wake Forest institute's website.

We're grateful for the scientists and staff at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine who are among the leaders in the nation in making advances in these critically important areas of medical research. The breakthroughs that are occurring will benefit us all, but the focus on mending the grievous wounds of our brave military personnel should make us all proud.

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Editorial: Wake treatment to heal warriors should make us proud