Texas Governor Declares Disaster to Combat Screwworm Threat

Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration Thursday, January 29th to prevent a certain species of screwworm fly from entering Texas, mobilizing state resources against a parasite. “Although… not yet present in Texas or the U.S., its northward spread from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border poses a serious threat,” Abbott stated.

Cochliomyia hominivorax, also called Coquerel or New World screwworms, are parasites endemic in South America and the Caribbean. Not new to America, the U.S. was declared free of the parasite in 1966 by the US Department of Agriculture, after successful eradication efforts. A small outbreak occurred in the Florida Keys in 2017.

According to the US Embassy in Costa Rica, “screwworm flies predominantly affect cattle, but frequently affect dogs… and occasionally affect humans.” Experts warn that maggots can burrow into vulnerable tissue like the brain, causing sepsis. Sepsis can cause severe brain damage through systemic inflammation, disrupting the blood-brain barrier (BBB), oxygen deprivation, and neuroinflammation, leading to acute issues like delirium and coma, and long-term cognitive deficits. The Embassy further discusses the story of a 15-year-old girl developed intense headaches after 45 larvae infested a scalp wound, demonstrating risks to children and representing the first human death since the 1990s.

Protection requires cleaning and covering all wounds, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and using EPA-registered insect repellents.

Not Your Average Light Bulb Moment: Red Light Therapy Promising for Brain Injury Treatment

On January 23, 2026, the Journal of Neurotrauma reported on a form of preventative treatment for CTE, and other forms of brain injury: near-infrared light therapy. According to the article, this form of therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, “shines powerful near-infrared light at the brain through the skull, may be able to prevent or reduce subtle damage to the brain before symptoms start, by reducing brain inflammation caused by repetitive impacts.”  

While infrared light therapy may be lesser-known, reports show that the red light therapy and its benefits have, in fact, been known and ongoing for over a decade. Studies indicate this non-invasive, home-based therapy improves cognition, reduces PTSD symptoms, and increases cerebral blood flow by stimulating mitochondrial functio. 

Athletes who received this infrared light show significant reductions in markers of neuroinflammation and axonal stress compared to their pre-season baseline, suggesting the therapy preserves neural integrity. Dr. Carrie Esopenko, associate professor of neurology at University of Utah that, along with NYU, is running a four-year government-funded study on the treatment, hopes “the results will help keep athletes healthy across all sports” while ensuring families “can participate in sports safely for the long term.” Boston University Medical Campus is also investigating transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) using red and near-infrared LED devices to treat chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD.

Brain Injury Detection Goes Low-Tech

A simple spit test may soon revolutionize how doctors diagnose brain injuries. Researchers have known for years that saliva contains biomarkers indicating brain injury. In January 2026, University of Waterloo in Canada unveiled HeadFirst, a portable saliva-based device that works much like a COVID test – two lines indicate a concussion, one line means negative. According to the report, this new low-tech innovation is currently at the pre-clinical trial.

The mission is clear: “Leave no concussion undetected.” “What we’re doing is adding the first objective test into the toolkit of athletic and health care professionals,” said Andrew Cordssen-David, HeadFirst CEO. The new technology detects biomarkers that cross the blood-brain barrier into saliva within minutes of injury.

Currently, no saliva concussion test has FDA approval, though several companies are preparing submissions. With studies showing 92-94% accuracy, these non-invasive diagnostics could transform sideline assessments in sports and combat zones alike. 

* TBIontheHill first reported on the government’s investment in brain injury detection devices in 2017. At that time, Abbott Laboratories was developing of i-STAT, a mobile device that could detect brain injury. Since that time, U.S. government agencies have remained heavily invested in concussion detection. The National Institutes of Health awarded $2.3 million to Quadrant Biosciences for developing saliva-based microRNA tests, while the Department of Defense mandated baseline cognitive assessments for all military recruits starting January 2025. 

Spicy Spray, Cool Results: Nano-Pepper Treatment Chills Brain Damage

University of Miami researchers announced in January 2026 that a revolutionary nasal spray that cools the brain after injury could soon help paramedics protect trauma victims before they reach the hospital. The technology uses “nanovanilloids” – microscopic particles derived from pepper-related compounds that activate the brain’s natural cooling system. When sprayed into the nose, these particles travel directly to the brain and trigger special receptors called TRPV1 [Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid1] that lower brain temperature by up to 3.6°C.

Brain cooling after injury reduces inflammation and cellular damage, with NIH-funded studies showing up to 87% reduction in brain damage from stroke. An “umbrella review” of studies, posted in the NLM PubMed in October 2025, is more nuanced: “Studies have shown controversial results regarding the effect of TH [therapeutic hypothermia]… Some of the important parameters that may affect the results are the age of TBI patients, the use of barbiturates, target TH temperature, rewarming rates, and method of cooling.”

Current treatment methods require hospital equipment and carry significant side effects, but studies have shown that the nanovanilloid spray works within minutes and targets only the brain, leaving body temperature stable. Published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, the breakthrough could transform emergency treatment for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cardiac arrest. “These results mark one of the most important technological developments in therapeutic hypothermia over the past 30 years,” said Dr. W. Dalton Dietrich of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

House Introduces a BEACON of Hope for Veterans with Brain Injuries

Representative Jack Bergman (MI), along with 5 original co-sponsors [Sarah Elfreth (MD), Kimberlyn King-Hinds (MP), Donald G. Davis (NC), Derrick Van Orden (WI), Morgan Luttrell (TX)] introduced the BEACON Act, H. R. 6993, in January 2026 to transform how the Department of Veterans Affairs treats traumatic brain injuries. The Veterans TBI Breakthrough Exploration of Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act establishes two grant programs totaling $60 million to fund innovative, non-pharmacological treatments for mild-to-moderate TBI.*

The sponsor of the bill and at least one of its co-sponsors bring personal stakes to this fight. Bergman, a retired Marine Lieutenant General with 40 years of service including Vietnam combat, witnessed how invisible injuries affect service members. Elfreth watched her grandfather – a Korean and Vietnam War veteran – suffer from PTSD, inspiring her earlier success passing Maryland’s David Perez Military Heroes Act.

Veterans often feel “unseen, unheard, and alone” navigating systems that treat symptoms rather than people. The BEACON Act addresses these gaps by funding research into evidence-based alternatives, training clinicians, and partnering academic institutions with VA facilities to bring innovative care directly to veterans.

*Per bill text, the TBI Innovation Grant Program will “award grants to eligible entities… for the development, implementation, and evaluation of approaches and methodologies for prospective randomized control trials for 11 neurorehabilitation treatments for the treatment of chronic mild TBI (mTBI) in veterans.” Additionally, the Act with provide grants for “independent third-party research studies and treatment with respect to supplemental neurorehabilitation treatments of mTBI.”

Chewing Gum’s Surprising Brain Benefits Come with Caution

In 2026, publications from The Economics Times to National Geographic, have reported on the unexpected benefits of chewing gum. The U.S. government has a long-released study that confirms this.  Nearly 30 years ago, the NIH published a study that found, “[Chewing] increased regional cerebral blood flow in the primary sensorimotor areas by 25-28%, in the supplementary motor areas and insulae by 9-17%, and in the cerebellum and striatum by 8-11%.” (Cerebral blood flow activates the hippocampus, critical for memory, and reduces stress hormones by 16%.) Multiple trials confirm improvements in alertness, sustained attention, and reaction times from chewing gum.

These benefits seem to have been almost forgotten though, as what has been more widely reported in the past decade is the harm that chewing gum causes the body. A study indexed in the NIH database found that chewing commercially available gum can release over 250,000 microplastic particles per hour. Research shows microplastics cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially contributing to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation linked to cognitive decline.

Pertaining to brain injury patients, medical professionals have long known chewing gum may be a boon. The aforementioned statistics note gum’s ability to enhance blood flow and hippocampal stimulation support neural recovery, while stress reduction aids in healing. Gum chewing is used in speech and oral motor rehabilitation therapy, strengthening muscles while stimulating neural pathways, and improving reaction times. Additionally, during these cognitive rehabilitation exercises, gum still retains its ability to reduce stress levels.

To capture benefits while avoiding microplastics and without artificial sweeteners, consider homemade alternatives using natural chicle or beeswax. Many websites offer such recipes, including: Instructables Utopia CookTilYummy. (I do not known the quality or tastiness of these recipes. If you choose to make chewing gum for its cognitive benefits, I recommend using fresh mint as an ingredient because of its own proven cognitive benefits)

“Marty Supreme” Brings Attention to Ping Pong’s Dual Role in Brain Health

As many anticipate 2026 Academy Award nominations to be announced tomorrow, one film, in particular, has gained Oscar buzz for cinematic acumen and, from me, its focus on an often overlooked sport. An A24 Films production Marty Supreme follows a 1950s ping pong hustler through his rise to glory. (Timothée Chalamet, who portrays the star table tennis player, has already won a Golden Globe for the role.) But beyond Hollywood, the sport at the heart of the film has proven transformative for brain injury patients.

Recent NIH research reveals that ping pong has remarkable therapeutic potential for traumatic brain injury recovery. A 2024 study published in Brain Research and indexed in NIH PubMed demonstrated that long-term table tennis training significantly alters dynamic functional connectivity and white matter microstructure in large-scale brain regions – enhancing cognitive function and attention in patients recovering from neurological injuries. This is due to the sport’s simultaneous engagement of visual tracking, motor coordination, and rapid decision-making, which triggers neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself. A 2024 stroke rehabilitation study in the database showed significant brainwave changes in patients practicing seated table tennis, with enhanced activity in frontal and temporal regions associated with sensorimotor integration. This additionally supports broader applications of the sport for traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.

However, the term “ping pong” isn’t singly used to define the sport of table tennis. Ironically, “ping pong fracture” is the term used to describe a very serious infant condition: a depressed skull fracture that resembles a dented ball. These fractures occur in approximately 3 per 10,000 live births, often as the result of difficult deliveries. Fortunately, a 2022 World Neurosurgery systematic review of 228 cases found 96.4% achieve favorable outcomes without lasting neurological damage. Most resolve spontaneously within six months.

As is apparent, science continues to prove that ping pong’s medical connections, whether through the healing effects to the injured brain of gameplay or used to describe neonatal trauma, run deeper than any championship rally.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy for Brain Injury Survivors

Martin Luther King Jr. never spoke directly about disability or brain injury, yet his civil rights movement built a legal foundation that protects millions of brain injury survivors today.

The connection lives in the law itself. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964) declares that no person shall “be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination” based on race. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 both borrow this exact language, extending protections to people with disabilities, including brain injury survivors.

Tragically, the King family later experienced brain injury firsthand. On August 16, 2005, Coretta Scott King (1927-2006) suffered a stroke, leaving her paralyzed and unable to speak. Though she could never publicly address her condition, her eldest daughter Yolanda King (1955-2007) transformed the family’s pain into purpose, becoming National Ambassador for the American Stroke Association’s “Power to End Stroke” campaign. In her final speech in May 2007, Yolanda declared: “Everyone has the responsibility and power to take control of their health.”

King’s principle that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” applies to and protects brain injury survivors. Though he never marched for disability rights, his dream has expanded to embrace them.

Stalking Awareness Month Spotlights Hidden Brain Connections

The Federal Office for Victims of Crime, part of the Department of Justice, states, “Stalking is a crime of power and control.” January marks the 22nd annual National Stalking Awareness Month; the 2026 theme “Know It, Name It, Stop It” urges Americans to recognize and respond to this dangerous crime that affects over 40 million people nationwide.

This Sunday, January 18 commemorates National Stalking Awareness Day of Action. In New York, landmarks across the state will be illuminated in yellow, symbolizing caution like a yield sign, to honor victims and survivors. North Dakota and other states have also issued official proclamations and specific actions to recognize the day and the month.

Stalking’s link to traumatic brain injury is a troubling bidirectional relationship. Research shows 60% of stalking offenders have experienced a TBI, which impairs impulse control and increases aggression. Conversely, 75% of women in abusive relationships sustain at least one brain injury from violence like strangulation.

CDC data reveals 22.5% of women and 9.7% of men experience stalking during their lifetimes. In 2025, President Biden proclaimed, “My father used to say that one of the greatest sins a person could commit is the abuse of power – and that is fundamentally what stalking is.” President Trump has declared, “Stalking any individual, especially our young people will not be tolerated. My Administration remains committed to ending the crime of stalking.”

For resources and state-specific legislation, visit StalkingAwareness.org.

Trump Wants Greenland; Greenland Wants Neurosurgeons

Currently, President Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland dominates the headlines. Though many dismiss the President’s statements as mere diplomatic trolling, it brings new attention to the challenges faced by this Arctic territory. Specific to this website, those in Greenland face real medical challenges related to brain injury that deserve attention.

Of Greenland’s 56,500 residents, it is reported that 10-20 suffer severe traumatic brain injuries annually, with falls and snowmobile accidents being primary causes. (The territory also holds the world’s highest rate of fall-related spinal cord injuries.) Although this is a statistically small number, the healthcare reality is stark. Queen Ingrid’s Hospital in Nuuk, the country’s capital and largest city, remains the only facility with CT and MRI scanners, and no neurosurgeons practice in Greenland. Patients requiring brain surgery generally face evacuation to Copenhagen, Denmark, for which minimum transport time exceeds seven hours.

A 2025 study available to view on the NIH database offers hope with the introduction of teleneurosurgery. As of recently, the Department of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet has the ability to provide, “training [to] local [Greenland] surgeons to perform cranial neurosurgical procedures using smart glasses, enabling real-time supervision from neurosurgeons in Copenhagen.” Since May 2024, it is reported that multiple successful operations have been performed. Unfortunately, while the Danish publicly funded healthcare system may cover all residents, geographic isolation has created life-threatening delays.