Pine tree extract helps brain injury recovery

An antioxidant extracted from the bark of the pine tree can help treat people with a traumatic brain injury, according to Auckland researchers.

In the study the extract, called Enzogenol, given to 60 people with a brain injury over three months, helps boost memory and improve attention span.

AUT stroke specialist Professor Valery Feigin said patients who took it were less likely to forget people’s names or basic directions, common problems for brain injury sufferers.

The results were great news as there were few evidence-based treatments for people with mild brain injury problems, she said.

“Other than brain exercises, there are limited treatments available to improve damage,” the Courier Mail quoted Prof Feigin.

She is hoping to launch a large-scale trial on the back of the successful pilot study.