Each year a large number of patients are hospitalized at Shock Trauma Centers with severe
head injuries. Bleeding into and swelling of these patients' brains may cause compression of
vital structures, disability and death. Sometimes surgery is needed. Unfortunately, the
investigators have no medication to treat the bad effects of head trauma. Part of the brain
damage is due to toxic chemicals (including one called glutamate) that are released by the
damaged nerves. Dexanabinol may prevent some of the bad effects of glutamate on the brain and
may protect the brain against uncontrollable swelling and death.