Head Injury

QUICK TAKES A horse was injured and euthanized Tuesday during production of the racetrack drama "Luck," the third death in connection with the series, and HBO agreed to suspend filming with horses while the accident is investigated. The American Humane Assn., which oversees Hollywood productions, had issued an immediate demand "that all production involving horses shut down. " The animal was being led to a Santa Anita Park racetrack stable by a groom when it reared and fell back Tuesday morning, suffering a head injury, according to HBO. The horse was euthanized at the track in Arcadia, where "Luck" is filming its second season.

Chris Horner had perhaps his most successful year as a cyclist in 2011. He won the Amgen Tour of California, finished second in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, a celebrated one-day race, and finished fourth at the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. Yet what most cycling fans remember about Horner's 2011 racing is something Horner doesn't. During the seventh stage of the Tour de France last July, Horner crashed. He suffered a concussion, broken nose and broken ribs. But despite being woozy and dazed, Horner got back on his bike and finished, though he had no idea where he was or even quite what he was doing.

The American flag flew at half-staff and corporate offices were closed at the C.J. Segerstrom & Sons headquarters Wednesday as the Segerstrom family mourned the death of 7-year-old Corinne Segerstrom, who was killed Tuesday in an accident on a family lima bean field. The Orange County coroner's office said Corinne, granddaughter of prominent farmer-developer Harold T. Segerstrom Jr., suffered a "blunt force injury to the head" after falling onto a soft patch of dirt that had just been plowed.

QUICK TAKES A horse was injured and euthanized Tuesday during production of the racetrack drama "Luck," the third death in connection with the series, and HBO agreed to suspend filming with horses while the accident is investigated. The American Humane Assn., which oversees Hollywood productions, had issued an immediate demand "that all production involving horses shut down. " The animal was being led to a Santa Anita Park racetrack stable by a groom when it reared and fell back Tuesday morning, suffering a head injury, according to HBO. The horse was euthanized at the track in Arcadia, where "Luck" is filming its second season.

Newer isn't necessarily always better, even when it comes to football helmets. A study published online Friday in the Journal of Neurosurgery finds those vintage "leatherhead" helmets may protect as well as or better than modern ones when it comes to some typical helmet-on-helmet collisions that can lead to concussions. Let's pause for a disclaimer: The study authors don't advocate giving up today's polycarbonate helmets for those old leather-covered ones--the newer ones have resulted in a decrease in severe head and neck injuries.

Dabigatran (marketed as Pradaxa) is a new drug used by a growing number of Americans with atrial fibrillation. It's both easier to take and more effective at reducing the risk of stroke than warfarin, a drug that's been in use since the 1950s. But a case report published this week underscores a danger with the new medication: If a patient taking it is bleeding into the brain or elsewhere, there is currently no fast, effective way to reverse the blood-thinning agent's effects. For one 83-year-old man who was taken to the University of Utah Hospital's emergency department after falling and hitting his head, the result was death.

Concussions and other head injuries in early adulthood may significantly raise the risk of depression decades later, a study of World War II veterans found. The study has disturbing implications for football and hockey players, motorcyclists and others who have taken blows to the head. Other research has shown that head trauma patients may be prone to depression shortly after suffering their injuries. But the new findings suggest that the risk persists even 50 years later.

Athletes who suffer mild head injuries require at least three days of recuperation after symptoms disappear before engaging again in physical activity, according to a study by researchers at the University of North Carolina. The study of 22 athletes found that it takes at least three days to recover balance after a mild head injury. The study also found that healing continues for more than a week after a minor blow to the head.

Head injuries suffered earlier in life may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. "As a practical matter, [this] may be one more reason to wear that bike helmet instead of keeping it in a closet," said Dr. Richard J. Havlik of the National Institute on Aging. Several prior studies of a possible link between head injuries and Alzheimer's have yielded conflicting results.

UCLA's 30-21 victory over California on Saturday was tempered by the loss of linebacker Christian Taylor. Taylor wobbled off the field after a collision with Bears running back Justin Forsett. UCLA officials said Taylor suffered a concussion and then had a small seizure on the sidelines. He was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where a CT scan on his neck and head were performed before he was released Saturday evening, UCLA spokesman Marc Dellins said.

Center Colin Fraser, who unwittingly became the center of a controversy last summer when the Kings claimed they were misled about the seriousness of a foot injury he suffered before they acquired him from Edmonton, has been nominated for the Masterton Trophy by members of the Los Angeles chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Assn. The trophy is named for the late Bill Masterton, a former Minnesota North Stars player who died as the result of a head injury he incurred during a game.

Dabigatran (marketed as Pradaxa) is a new drug used by a growing number of Americans with atrial fibrillation. It's both easier to take and more effective at reducing the risk of stroke than warfarin, a drug that's been in use since the 1950s. But a case report published this week underscores a danger with the new medication: If a patient taking it is bleeding into the brain or elsewhere, there is currently no fast, effective way to reverse the blood-thinning agent's effects. For one 83-year-old man who was taken to the University of Utah Hospital's emergency department after falling and hitting his head, the result was death.

The whirlwind 66-game NBA season is more than halfway through. At this point, who is most deserving of the MVP award? Here are some leading candidates. Kobe Bryant : He leads the league in scoring with 28.7 points a game and has helped guide a team with a new coach and a new system to fifth place in the Western Conference. Bryant has soared even though he's been hampered by multiple injuries, including a torn ligament in his right wrist, a concussion and a broken nose. In January, he scored at least 40 points in four consecutive games.

A year ago, the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords weighed heavily in the House chamber. A seat with her delegation was left empty during the State of the Union address. Lawmakers wore black-and-white ribbons in her honor. On Tuesday night, Giffords returned to the House and a standing ovation more than a minute long amid cheers of "Bravo!" from her colleagues. Then she received a long, emotional hug from President Obama. Giffords rested her head on his shoulder and for a moment they rocked back and forth — all at once a welcome-home greeting and farewell embrace following her decision to step down from office and focus on her recovery.

Sarah Burke, the Canadian freeskier who crashed during training on the halfpipe in Park City, Utah, is reportedly in a coma. Burke is "intubated and sedated," according to a University of Utah Health Care physician interviewed by ESPN. Her prognosis is still unknown, but Burke's condition is putting the spotlight on serious injuries in the world of extreme sports. Snowboarder Kevin Pearce sustained a head injury at the same location while he was training for the 2010 Olympics . Although extreme-sport injuries get considerable media attention, are extreme athletes truly at higher risk than more mainstream athletes?

KINGS TONIGHT AT CHICAGO When: 5:30 p.m. Where: United Center. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 1150. Records: Kings 17-14-5; Blackhawks 23-9-4. Update: Not making the trip with the Kings was injured left wing Simon Gagne, who is out with a suspected head injury. Gagne suffered the injury late in the first period against the Coyotes on Monday, played some of the second but was not on the bench in the third. He has a well-known history of concussions.

A bike rider died after colliding with a brick wall Friday, authorities said. Glenn Lubben, 57, of Brea, apparently lost control of his bicycle as he was traveling west on Alta Mesa Drive, veered off the roadway and hit a low brick wall, Brea police said. Lubben, who police said was wearing a helmet, suffered a serious head injury. He was pronounced dead at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton at 10:24 a.m.

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) underwent surgery to treat a head injury from a skiing accident a month ago. Lautenberg, 79, fell and hit his head while skiing in Aspen, Colo., a spokesman said. He had had a low-grade headache since then. He checked himself into a New York hospital late Saturday. Doctors found blood had collected in an area inside the senator's skull that required surgery to drain. The spokesman said Lautenberg would need two days to recover.

The horror stories in pro sports are coming so fast and furious that their significance is being lost in their numbers. It should be the other way around, but it's not. Another concussion. Ho hum. Player A will sit out two games, Player B a month. Page 5. Another league investigation, maybe some fines. Yawn. — After the Oct. 23 game against the New York Jets, San Diego Chargers guard Kris Dielman got on the plane to return home. During the game, he had taken a hit loud enough to be heard on TV. He staggered, looked disoriented and was approached by two concerned game officials.

For Mike Richards, there are many questions and few answers at this stage of his recovery from a head injury suffered Dec. 1. Such is the nature of a concussion. The Kings aren't using that word - just as they did not do so last season with Drew Doughty. But they, and Richards, are showing the proper measure of caution, meaning a return to the lineup could take some time. "It's frustrating watching and not being out there and obviously you want to go there, but you don't want to come back when you're not healthy and reinjure yourself," the center said Saturday morning.