‘Journal Tribune’ publishes editorial by Mike Burman on brain safety and awareness
On March 26, 2015, the Journal Tribune published an editorial by Michael Burman, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and the Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences (CEN) and K-12 outreach coordinator for CEN. Titled "NFL player’s early retirement spurs conversation on brain injuries," the piece discussed brain health and concussions, a topic instigated by news of 24 year-old NFL Rookie Chris Borland’s decision to retire from the NFL because of his fear of the long-term consequences of football-induced brain injury.
In the editorial, Burman warned readers that "each concussion is associated with the loss of brain cells and damage to the connections between them," and that "the risk for long-term problems appears to increase with a greater number of concussions." He cautioned that even mild, asymptomatic concussions "can compound to cause long-term harm."
The article discussed the work of the Michael T. Goulet Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy Foundation, of which he is a board member, founded by family members of Michael Goulet, formerly of Saco, who passed away as the result of a seizure, seven years after suffering a traumatic brain injury while snowmobiling at the age of 13.
Burman serves as a link between the Michael Goulet Foundation and the University of New England, two entities that have a history of working together to bring brain health and safety issues to the public eye.
"Our team at UNE has launched a nationally recognized K-12 Outreach Program that reaches between two and three thousand local students in Southern Maine each year," Burman shared. "Our lessons teach about the brain, how it works and how to keep it safe. We cover neurological disorders, brain injury and addiction."