The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which aims to improve quality of life for people living with paralysis, has teamed up with Google Nest – the internet giant’s smart home devices arm. Google Nest will provide up to 100,000 free Google Home Minis to the Reeve Foundation for individuals and families in the US impacted by paralysis, to enhance quality of life at home. The devices enable people living with paralysis to control simple tasks within their home with their voice. With compatible devices installed, they can also use their voice to turn on lights, turn up the thermostat and check who is at the door.

That is according to a new study into these biological parcels which are continuously deployed from all cells in the body loaded with contents that other cells may unpack and use. By sending exomes off, cells communicate with each other via shared proteins and genetic material. They were once thought to be microscopic sacks of cellular waste, but are now understood to hold immense importance for our health. Increasing research in recent years has even shown they can transport molecules that are linked to the spread of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

It suggests that 90 per cent of ABI patients who tried such therapy would like to continue attending sessions - while mood and goal achievement seem to improve as a result of the therapy. The study was conducted by arts therapy provider Chroma, at Exemplar Health Care’s 80-bed Willowbeck inpatient unit in Sheffield, UK. The centre caters for clients withcomplex needs, including those with an ABI (through accident or illness), people with an intellectual disability and individuals with mental health problems. Over 12 weeks, a qualified neurologic music therapist from Chroma was assigned to work with individuals and groups of service users.

For procedures in the brain, however, neurosurgeons more commonly thread instruments through arteries at the groin - a transfemoral approach. In the largest cohort study to date, researchers have found that surgery via the wrist – known as transradial - is safe and effective for a broad range of neuroendovascular procedures, and gives patients faster recovery with less procedural risk. The study was conducted in the US by the university, Jefferson. Neurological surgery professor and senior author Pascal Jabbour says: “Despite improved safety shown in large cardiology trials, transradial brain surgeries via the wrist are much less common. Neurosurgeons tend to prefer the transfemoral approach on which many of us were trained. But our research demonstrates that all kinds of neurological procedures can be done effectively and even more safely via the wrist.”

This heightened risk seems to peak in the first two years of use, reports a study due to be published in The American Journal of Medicine. The findings confirm concerns voiced by many health agencies about the potential risks associated with the treatment.  The study analysed a large database of electronic medical records of patients enrolled in primary care practices in the UK and formed a cohort of 15,401 men, aged 45 years or older, with low testosterone levels (hypogonadism). Users of TRT had a 21 per cent greater risk of cardiovascular events compared with nonusers, corresponding to an additional 128 events.

The United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) Film Award 2019, sponsored by Cygnet Health, is accepting entries until 20^thSeptember. The judging panel is looking for a three-minute, impactful, “punchy” film that raises awareness of the benefits of neurorehabilitation after an ABI; with a specific focus on neurorehabilitation in hospital, the community, at school, in prison or in connection with sport. Entries are welcome from everyone with an interest, or experience in ABI, including  rehabilitation multidisciplinary team members, doctors in primary and secondary care, case managers, personal injury lawyers, social care workers, voluntary organisations and care providers.