Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): For Researchers and Health Care Providers
(the following materials were originally presented by the National Center for Child Health and Health Development: www.nichd.nih.gov)
NICHD Resources
National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR).
The NCMRR fosters the development of scientific knowledge to enhance the health and quality of life of people with disabilities, including people with TBI-related conditions.
NIH Resources
NIH Consensus Development Conference: Statement on Rehabilitation of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury.
Based on a conference held in 1998, this NIH report includes the recommendations of an independent panel for effective rehabilitation measures for people who have sustained a TBI.
A Department of Defense-funded collaboration between the NIH and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences has allowed the Clinical Center to acquire new technology that combines positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which offers researchers and clinicians the possibility of diagnosing and treating TBI and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military service members and civilians more quickly and more effectively. It is one of several initiatives carried out through the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM).
NINDS: Common Data Elements
The use of different measures to assess similar variables in research and differing metrics to assess outcomes can limit research advances. NINDS spearheads an initiative to gain consensus on a common set of data elements, including variable definitions and recommended measures. TBI is one of 13 topics currently undergoing review.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC maintains many resources for research, education, and training on the topic of TBI. In particular, the CDC has joined the National Football League to promote concussion awareness.
Department of Defense (DoD)
In 2007, the DoD established the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and TBI, a collaborative network of centers with the purpose of integrating military prevention, coping strategies, family and community outreach and support, clinical care, and research expertise.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA promotes advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating TBI through several ongoing studies and also provides resources for clinicians. Two research initiatives are the Markers for the Identification, Norming, and Differentiation of TBI and PTSD (MIND) study and the TBI Veterans Health Registry. With the DoD, the VA has also developed a pocket guide for clinicians about the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of concussion.
Health and Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (HMD)
In 2008, the HMD issued "Long-term Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury" as part of its Gulf War and Health series. The report assesses the possible long-term health outcomes of TBI, including neurologic, endocrine, and psychological effects.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
NIDRR is in the Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. The Institute provides an array of grants and other funding opportunities to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, including those with TBI.
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM)
ACRM is an organization of rehabilitation professionals who work with people with disabling conditions. It assists researchers in improving their investigations and disseminating findings, educates providers to deliver best practices, and promotes other goals of rehabilitation professionals.
(the following materials were originally presented by the National Center for Child Health and Health Development: www.nichd.nih.gov)
NICHD Resources
National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR).
The NCMRR fosters the development of scientific knowledge to enhance the health and quality of life of people with disabilities, including people with TBI-related conditions.
NIH Resources
NIH Consensus Development Conference: Statement on Rehabilitation of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury.
Based on a conference held in 1998, this NIH report includes the recommendations of an independent panel for effective rehabilitation measures for people who have sustained a TBI.
A Department of Defense-funded collaboration between the NIH and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences has allowed the Clinical Center to acquire new technology that combines positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which offers researchers and clinicians the possibility of diagnosing and treating TBI and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military service members and civilians more quickly and more effectively. It is one of several initiatives carried out through the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine (CNRM).
NINDS: Common Data Elements
The use of different measures to assess similar variables in research and differing metrics to assess outcomes can limit research advances. NINDS spearheads an initiative to gain consensus on a common set of data elements, including variable definitions and recommended measures. TBI is one of 13 topics currently undergoing review.
- Read more about common data elements in TBI research.
- Learn about the NINDS TBI research program.
- For regular updates, join the NINDS TBI listserv.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC maintains many resources for research, education, and training on the topic of TBI. In particular, the CDC has joined the National Football League to promote concussion awareness.
- Find concussion information and educational resources.
- Check out "Heads Up to Clinicians," a course on sports concussion .
- Read the recommendations of an expert working group on methods for assessing TBI in children. (PDF – 7 MB)
- Access data on TBI (2002–2006).
Department of Defense (DoD)
In 2007, the DoD established the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for Psychological Health and TBI, a collaborative network of centers with the purpose of integrating military prevention, coping strategies, family and community outreach and support, clinical care, and research expertise.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA promotes advances in understanding, diagnosing, and treating TBI through several ongoing studies and also provides resources for clinicians. Two research initiatives are the Markers for the Identification, Norming, and Differentiation of TBI and PTSD (MIND) study and the TBI Veterans Health Registry. With the DoD, the VA has also developed a pocket guide for clinicians about the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of concussion.
- VA TBI Research.
- Read more about the registry.
- Read the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury – Concussion: Pocket Guide for Clinicians. (PDF – 425 KB)
- Take the VA independent study course on TBI for primary care practitioners. (PDF – 4 MB)
Health and Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (HMD)
In 2008, the HMD issued "Long-term Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury" as part of its Gulf War and Health series. The report assesses the possible long-term health outcomes of TBI, including neurologic, endocrine, and psychological effects.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
NIDRR is in the Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. The Institute provides an array of grants and other funding opportunities to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, including those with TBI.
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM)
ACRM is an organization of rehabilitation professionals who work with people with disabling conditions. It assists researchers in improving their investigations and disseminating findings, educates providers to deliver best practices, and promotes other goals of rehabilitation professionals.