Abstract:
The North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (NT-TBIMS) is a collaboration between the two largest hospital systems in North Texas, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) and Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC). These two institutions account for over 80% of TBI admissions in North Texas, and have a commitment to excellence in research and clinical management of TBI. Approximately 100 patients each year will be enrolled in the TBI Model Systems National Database. Additionally, the NT-TBIMS proposes to conduct two research projects aimed at obtaining basic information about TBI which will be useful for developing novel therapies: (1) Genetic study. Outcome after TBI is difficult to predict based on factors such as severity of injury, age, or the occurrence of acute complications. This study aims to determine whether genetic factors influence recovery after TBI. DNA will be collected from patients enrolled in the NT TBIMS, and using allelic association analysis we will determine whether inheritance of polymorphic alleles of certain candidate genes is associated with unfavorable outcome; (2) fMRI study. We will test the hypothesis that fMRI is useful in elucidating the neural substrates and compensatory mechanisms underlying the cognitive impairment in TBI. Our specific aims are to identify the dysfunctional neural circuitry serving variety cognitive domains after TBI and to assess the correlation between brain activation patterns and temporal course of recovery. The NT-TBIMS will further provide for patient and family education and dissemination of research findings to the professional community by conducting seminars, presenting the results at professional meetings, and publishing in professional and lay journals devoted to TBI.

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