Swelling in the brain is one of the most serious complications that can follow trauma, stroke, infection, or brain tumours.

At present, this swelling is treated by giving patients concentrated salty water through a drip to draw fluid off the brain and lower pressure. While this method works, too much salt can cause harm to other parts of the body.

Associate Professor Mark Plummer – Head of Research and Innovation, Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) – is leading a research team at the Royal Adelaide Hospital looking at a new way to manage brain swelling using a special vitamin C formulation. Early research shows that giving high doses of this balanced vitamin C solution can reduce brain pressure just as effectively as salty water — but without the damaging effects of excess salt. Even more promising, vitamin C may also help protect brain cells from further injury.

Click here to help support this innovative research

Mark and his team are working to create a treatment that not only lowers pressure in the brain but also protects brain cells while improving recovery for people who experience brain injuries, strokes, meningitis, or brain tumours.

We need your help to take this unique South Australian innovation to the world. By supporting this groundbreaking trial at RAH ICU, you’ll be helping to:

• Continue early human trials at the Royal Adelaide Hospital
• Develop a new, safer treatment for brain swelling
• Improve recovery and quality of life for patients around the globe

Your support brings us one step closer to a world where brain injuries cause less harm — and more people get the chance to recover and thrive.

 Thank you. Your generosity will change lives.