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Traumatic Brain Injury Research (TBI)


Program Contacts for TBI Research

Dr. Ramona Hicks
Ramona Hicks, Ph.D.
Program Director
NINDS TBI Program
hicksra@ninds.nih.gov
Dr. Scott Janis
Scott Janis, Ph.D.
Project Manager
Clinical Research
janiss@ninds.nih.gov
Neuroimaging is one of many tools used to investigate TBI.
Neuroimaging is one of many tools used to investigate TBI.

NINDS supports research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) to advance knowledge on mechanisms of injury and recovery, and to develop better diagnostic tools and more effective treatments. This website provides information on NINDS activities, opportunities and resources to TBI research. 

To receive regular updates on funding announcements and other opportunities, please join the NINDS TBI Research Listserv. Please visit NINDS TBI for more general information.

Collaborative Research on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Delayed Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury: Neuropathology and Neuroimaging Correlation (U01)
Pilot Projects on Sports-Related Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (R21)
 Pilot Projects on Sports-Related Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (R03)




Common Data Elements

Common Data Elements (CDE) logo

NINDS CDEs for TBI

Common Data Elements enable clinical investigators to systemically collect, analyze and share data across the research community.  

NINDS has developed common data elements for TBI.

Informatics System

Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research (FITBIR) Informatics System logo

FITBIR Informatics System
FITBIR Informatics System Data Sharing Policy

The Federal Interagency TBI Research (FITBIR) Informatics System is a platform, developed by the NIH and the Department of Defense, which allows data sharing across the entire TBI community.

Sharing data, associated tools and methodologies accelerates research progress by allowing re-analysis of data, as well as re-aggregation, integration and rigorous comparison with other data, tools and methods. 

Clinical Research 

Photo of Clinical Researchers
NINDS Office of Clinical Research

NINDS supports clinical research and clinical trials to advance the understanding and treatment of TBI.

Recent NINDS-sponsored clinical trials in TBI include:

  • Progesterone in Adults with Moderate to Severe TBI
  • Hypothermia after Severe TBI in Children
  • Eythropoietin on Cerebral Vascular Dysfunction in Human TBI
  • Brain Tissue Oxygen Monitoring
  • Non-Invasive Device for Treatment of Elevated Intracranial Pressures

The Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) Network engages clinicians and providers at the front lines of emergency care to conduct multicenter clinical trials focused on improving outcomes in patients with TBI and acute neurological injuries.

To learn more about these trials and others, please search  ClinicalTrials.gov.

Translational Research

Office of Translational Research chart
NINDS Office of Translational Research

NINDS Translational Program focuses on preclinical development and testing of novel therapeutics and devices.

Examples of TBI projects funded under this cooperative program include:

  • Preclinical Cyclosporine A Therapy Trials for Pediatric TBI
  • Cell Based Therapy for Treatment of TBI
  • Polynitroxylated Pegylated Hemoglobin for TBI Resuscitation
  • An Erythropoietin-Mimetic Peptide for Treatment of TBI

TBI @ NIH

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke logoEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development logoThe National Institute on Aging
National Institute of Nursing ResearchThe National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders logoThe National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) logoCenter for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM) logo
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute logoThe NIH Clinical Center logoThe National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center logoThe National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

 

In addition to the support by NINDS, TBI research is sponsored by numerous NIH Institutes/Centers.

NIH RePORTER, an online reporting tool, allows users to search a repository of NIH-funded TBI research projects and access publications and patents resulting from NIH funding.

 

TBI @ Federal Agencies

The Department of Education sealThe Department of Veterans Affairs sealThe Department of Defense seal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logoHealth Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) logo  

 

In addition to the support of the NIH, TBI research is sponsored by numerous Federal Agencies.

 

International TBI Research (InTBIR)

The International Initiative for TBI Research (InTBIR) is a collaborative effort of the NIH, the European Commission and the Canadian Institutes of Health to advance clinical TBI research, treatment and care. NIH announces InTBIR Funding Opportunity.

A recent editorial comments on this initiative:

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction also has funding opportunities for TBI research.

 

Last Modified March 15, 2013