Pure Recovery California Sports Brain Injury Program Selected to Participate in Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research Grant Study

OXNARD, Calif., March 20, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Pure Recovery California’s acclaimed Sports Brain Injury Treatment Recovery Program, was selected to play a major role in a study of the treatment of athletes with post-traumatic cognitive and mood disorders symptoms often attributed to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Pure Recovery California will be collaborating with investigators from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) who were awarded one of five inaugural grants from the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research funded by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The study focuses on how through specific therapies which can modulate neuroplasticity and enhance brain rewiring the brain can be repaired thus alleviating symptoms often associated with Post Concussive Syndrome, PTSD, and Traumatic Brain Injury in retired contact sports athletes.

Pure Recovery California Sports Brain Injury program is based on a holistic, epigenetic, advanced neuroscience approach to modify neurophysiology and behavior. They have successfully treated over 100 NFL and NCAA Football players who suffered from debilitating concussion-related symptoms.

Jermichael Finley, former NFL Tight End for the Green Bay Packers who had a career-ending injury turned to Pure Recovery California to help his post-concussive symptoms of memory loss, mood swings, impulsivity, and headaches. His initial testing showed that 44 percent of his entire brain matter was in slow wave dysfunction. The many concussions and impacts from contact sports had reduced his brain’s power and frequency. After a month of treatment, there was a 70 percent improvement. “They basically reset my brain,” said Jermichael. “The Pure Sports Recovery Program changed my life and my ability to function again. I feel like a brand-new man.”

“Pure Recovery California is one of the few centers in the country to utilize sophisticated neuroscience techniques and epigenetics to modify brain wiring. They incorporate organic nutrition, meditation, physical activity, eliminate toxic environmental factors, control and mitigate stress, and use the latest advances in Three Dimensional Brain Mapping with a Multimedia Brain-Computer-Brain Neurofeedback interface,” said, Joseph Maroon MD, Clinical Professor and Vice Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery and the Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “The brain is not fixed in its wiring. It changes with every experience. All of these epigenetic factors can modify the neuroplasticity of our brains on a long-term basis and make the brain function better throughout life.” Dr. Maroon is the team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Chuck Noll Foundation.

Former NFL players who have undergone the treatment program at Pure Recovery California will have sophisticated Brain Diffusion MRI imaging tests performed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center under the direction of nationally recognized neurosurgeon Juan Fernandez-Miranda and his team. The study will analyze if symptom improvement can be correlated with brain repair. By imaging the athlete’s brains with this technology before and after they undergo the treatment program at Pure Recovery California, the hope is to visualize connectivity changes and confirm how a specific treatment protocol can alter the brain’s connections.

Many consider post-traumatic cognitive and mood disorders in athletes, an unremitting, progressive neurodegenerative disorder over the course of many years, culminating at times in profound dementia, suicide, and death. The vast majority of recovery programs today for retired athletes focus only on addiction or offer mental health support. Recent brain research indicates that the neurons and nerve fibers that “wire” our brain continually change throughout life. Thus, protocols such as Pure’s have immense opportunities to enhance life quality by changing brain structure.

Deborah Whitney, Founder and Executive Director of Pure Recovery California who has had experience in translational medicine and bringing scientific discovery to clinical application said, “We are thrilled to be part of a serious study with investigators at UPMC which studies evidence-based treatment options for those suffering from post-concussive syndrome. We believe that rewiring the brain through neuroplasticity training can positively impact the fibers and function of the brain. This collaborative imaging study is the first step towards proving it. After treating a large number of patients many of whom are former NFL players, we have seen a reduction or complete remediation of post-concussive symptoms by rewiring and reconnecting the brain back to a normalized baseline for their age. Athletes need to know there is brain healing and real hope for brain health and their participation in the sport they love should continue as long as their brain is monitored and treated.”

“Pure Recovery California has already demonstrated significant success in individuals with impulsivity, depression, memory loss, substance abuse, suicidal ideations, aggressive behaviors and more,” said Dr. Joseph Maroon. “Personally, I believe that a holistic, epigenetic, neurofeedback approach to modifying behavior to enhance the brain is effective and important in the treatment of brain injury, mental health, and addiction. To confirm this with the use of Neuroimaging, Quantitative EEG, Neurocognitive Testing and Outcome Analysis Behaviors is of immense importance.

Read the full release

About Pure Recovery California
Pure Recovery California™ is a JCAHO accredited treatment center that provides a comprehensive, medically integrated, advanced neuroscience, evidence-based program for sports brain injury, addiction, chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. As part of their standard program, they provide an integrative, holistic, personalized wellness approach that is focused on brain health and healing. Their program includes specific anti-inflammatory, organic dietary interventions, and supplements, organic nutrition prepared by specialty-trained chefs, daily exercise programs under the direction of an athletic trainer. All environmental toxins, substance abuse drugs, and alcohol are eliminated. Stress reduction, meditation, and psychological support.

Source: Pure Recovery California