Chemical tested to aid concussion healing

DALLAS, May 29 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers are recruiting professional boxers and trainers to study if red wine and grape compounds help reduce concussion damage.

Principal investigator Dr. Joshua Gatson, assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, says two dozen professional boxers will take the neuroprotective compound resveratrol after a fight to see if it helps restore subtle brain function and connections via its antioxidant effects.

"We know from animal studies that if we give the drug immediately after or soon after a brain injury, it can dramatically and significantly reduce the damage you see long term," Gatson says in a statement. "There haven't been any completed human studies yet, so this is really the first look at resveratrol's effect on traumatic brain injury."

However, even though resveratrol is found in red wine, 50 glasses of wine would be needed for the required dose to get the protection needed, Gatson says.

The researchers are administering the required oral dose once a day for seven days. Pro boxers will take a supplement form of resveratrol within 2 hours of their match, Gatson says.