Traumatic Brain Injury and Risk of Malignant Brain Tumors in Civilian Populations.

Importance: A 2024 US study reported that veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) had an increased risk of developing brain tumors. However, studies among civilians have shown conflicting results and have not replicated the association between TBI and brain tumor risk.

Objective: To examine whether history of TBI in US adult civilians is associated with a risk of subsequent development of malignant brain tumors.

Vascular Risk Factors and 1-Year Cognitive Change Among Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Importance: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and vascular risk factors are associated with cognitive impairment, but it is unknown if individuals with vascular risk factors experience worse cognitive outcomes after TBI.

Objective: To evaluate cognitive function among patients with TBI with vs without comorbid preinjury vascular risk factors.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prospective cohort study examined individuals with TBI enrolled in the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) Study between February 26, 2014, and August 8, 2018, with a 1-year follow-up.

Early beta-blocker exposure and association with brain injury biomarkers following moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: A TRACK-TBI study.

Background: Beta-blockers have been studied for potential benefits in traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aimed to investigate the association between early beta-blocker exposure and brain injury biomarkers following moderate-severe TBI.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Transforming Clinical Research and Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) study.

External Ventricular Drain Versus Intraparenchymal Pressure Monitor in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study.

Background And Objectives: The 2 most common intracranial pressure (ICP)-monitoring devices in traumatic brain injury (TBI) are external ventricular drains (EVDs) and intraparenchymal monitors (IPMs). EVDs and IPMs differ in functionality and debate remains as to whether device selection affects patient outcomes. We aimed to determine whether the use of EVDs or IPMs for ICP monitoring was associated with better outcomes using data from severe TBI patients prospectively enrolled in the 18-center US Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI (TRACK-TBI) study.

Toward More Holistic Early Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluation and Care: Recommendations from the 2024 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Traumatic Brain Injury Classification and Nomenclature Initiative Psychosocial and Environmental Modifiers Working Group.

Biopsychosocial and environmental factors play a major role in acute clinical presentation, recovery, and outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI). As part of the 2024 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) TBI Classification and Nomenclature Initiative, the Psychosocial and Environmental Modifiers (PEM) Working Group was assembled to perform a narrative review and summary of expert opinions regarding how non-TBI factors influence the presenting features and outcomes of TBI and to make recommendations for incorporating these Modifiers into clinical care and research. With input from working group members and other interested parties, we summarize the membership, methods, and outcomes of the PEM Working Group activities.

Prognostic Value of Blood-Based Protein Biomarkers in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Living Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Circulating biomarkers might improve the prediction of outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) beyond current approaches. Robust and up-to-date evidence is required to support their clinical utility and integration into medical practice to guide decision-making. Our objective was to critically appraise the existing evidence for six core blood-based TBI biomarkers (S100 calcium-binding protein B, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], neuron-specific enolase, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 [UCH-L1], tau and neurofilament proteins), in predicting outcome after TBI.

A new characterisation of acute traumatic brain injury: the NIH-NINDS TBI Classification and Nomenclature Initiative.

The clinical severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is commonly classified according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) sum score as mild (13-15), moderate (9-12), or severe (3-8). A new approach is needed for characterising TBI more accurately. In 2022, the US National Institutes of Health-National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke launched an international initiative to address this need, with a focus on the acute phase of injury.

Neuroimaging Characterization of Acute Traumatic Brain Injury with Focus on Frontline Clinicians: Recommendations from the 2024 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Traumatic Brain Injury Classification and Nomenclature Initiative Imaging Working Group.

Neuroimaging screening and surveillance is one of the first frontline diagnostic tools leveraged in the acute assessment (first 24 h postinjury) of patients suspected to have traumatic brain injury (TBI). While imaging, in particular computed tomography, is used almost universally in emergency departments worldwide to evaluate possible features of TBI, there is no currently agreed-upon reporting system, standard terminology, or framework to contextualize brain imaging findings with other available medical, psychosocial, and environmental data. In 2023, the NIH-National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke convened six working groups of international experts in TBI to develop a new framework for nomenclature and classification.

Blood-Based Biomarkers for Improved Characterization of Traumatic Brain Injury: Recommendations from the 2024 National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke Traumatic Brain Injury Classification and Nomenclature Initiative Blood-Based Biomarkers Working Group.

A 2022 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine called for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Classification Workshop by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a more precise, evidence-based classification system. The workshop aimed to revise the Glasgow Coma Scale-based system by incorporating neuroimaging and validated blood biomarker tests. In December 2022, the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke formed six working groups of TBI experts to make recommendations for this revision.

Clinical Assessment on Days 1-14 for the Characterization of Traumatic Brain Injury: Recommendations from the 2024 NINDS Traumatic Brain Injury Classification and Nomenclature Initiative Clinical/Symptoms Working Group.

The current classification of traumatic brain injury (TBI) primarily uses the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to categorize injuries as mild (GCS 13-15), moderate (GCS 9-12), or severe (GCS ≤8). However, this system is unsatisfactory, as it overlooks variations in injury severity, clinical needs, and prognosis. A recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (USA) recommended updating the classification system, leading to a workshop in 2024 by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Retrospective Identification and Characterization of Traumatic Brain Injury-Recommendations from the 2024 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Traumatic Brain Injury Classification and Nomenclature Initiative Retrospective Classification Working Group.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) convened experts in traumatic brain injury (TBI) research, policy, clinical practice and people with lived experience to propose a system of injury classification less susceptible to misinterpretation and misrepresentation inherent in the current use of "mild", "moderate" and "severe". One of six working groups addressed Retrospective Classification of TBI. The Working Group consisted of 14 experts in brain injury research representing a breadth of professional disciplines.

Marking a New Age in Characterization of Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Traumatic Brain Injury Classification and Nomenclature Initiative.

This special issue of the features a series of articles reporting the findings and recommendations of each of the six NINDS Initiative Working Groups. The collective efforts of the Working Groups with input from the broader TBI community mark a major step toward gaining more precise characterization of TBI and offer significant advantages over the current state of characterization for both clinicians, researchers, and people with lived experience. On behalf of all those who contributed to what marks a new era of improved characterization of TBI, we express our gratitude to NINDS for spearheading this effort and to the for showcasing this important work.

Follow up rates and patient interest in clinical care after mild traumatic brain injury presenting to a level 1 trauma center: a TRACK-TBI prospective cohort study.

Study Objective: To evaluate the rates of clinical follow-up and patient interest in clinical follow-up within the first year of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with presenting Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score between 13 and 15.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study which enrolled patients with TBI first evaluated at a 1 of 23 level 1 trauma centers ( = 1,916). At 2 weeks and 3 months, the participants were asked "have you seen any healthcare provider for your TBI?" and "if so, did it help?.

Insurance payer is associated with length of stay after traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: Timely provision of postacute care (PAC) rehabilitation is critical for achieving functional recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Medicaid coverage is a predictor of prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) after TBI, a proxy for decreased PAC access. Among Medicaid patients with TBI, it is unknown whether coverage under a managed care organization (MCO) or fee-for-service (FFS) model predicts differences in LOS.

Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostic Interview: Development, Interrater Reliability, and 2-Week Post-Injury Clinical Profiles.

Because most traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) do not present with objective indicators (e.g., neuroimaging findings) to confirm the diagnosis, clinicians often rely on self- or observer-reporting of alteration of consciousness (AOC; e.

Association of Subacute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms With Long-Term Persistent Symptoms, Functional Limitations, and Quality of Life.

Background And Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the association of subacute postconcussion symptoms (with the total Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire [RPQ] score) with persistent symptoms, functional limitations, and quality of life at 6 months in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge of Traumatic Brain Injury, which was a prospective cohort study of patients with TBI and admission Glasgow Coma Scale score between 13 and 15 at 18 US Level 1 trauma centers through 2014-2018. Participants were included in the study if presenting within 24 hours of external force trauma to the head and met the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine's criteria for TBI.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation to assess motor function in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

Introduction: Traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI) represent a profoundly life-altering diagnosis.

Research Question: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) in assessing motor function in the management of patients with acute SCI.

Material And Methods: nTMS motor mapping of both upper extremities (UE) and lower extremities (LE) was performed in patients suffering from acute traumatic SCI.

Effect of blood alcohol on the diagnostic accuracy of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 for traumatic intracranial hemorrhage: A TRACK-TBI study.

Background: Acute intoxication is common in patients evaluated for traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the effect of elevated blood alcohol levels (BALs) on the diagnostic accuracy of FDA-cleared biomarkers for evaluating traumatic intracranial injury on computed tomography (CT) scan, namely, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), has not been well studied.

Methods: We investigated the effect of significantly elevated (>300 mg/dL) and modestly elevated BAL (81-300 mg/dL) at emergency department presentation on the diagnostic accuracy of GFAP and UCH-L1 for predicting a positive CT in patients presenting to 18 U.

Priority Clinical Actions for Outpatient Management of Nonhospitalized Traumatic Brain Injury.

Outpatient care following nonhospitalized traumatic brain injury (TBI) is variable, and often sparse. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's 2022 report on highlighted the need to improve the consistency and quality of TBI care in the community. In response, the present study aimed to identify existing evidence-based guidance and specific clinical actions over the days to months following nonhospitalized TBI that should be prioritized for implementation in primary care.

Validation of the GCS-Pupil Scale in Traumatic Brain Injury: Incremental Prognostic Value of Pupillary Reactivity with GCS in the Prospective Observational Cohorts CENTER-TBI and TRACK-TBI.

To compare the incremental prognostic value of pupillary reactivity captured as part of the Glasgow Coma Scale-Pupils (GCS-P) score or added as separate variable to the GCS+P, in traumatic brain injury (TBI). We analyzed patients enrolled between 2014 and 2018 in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI, = 3521) and the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI, = 1439) cohorts. Logistic regression was utilized to quantify the prognostic performances of GCS-P (GCS minus number of unreactive pupils) and GCS+P versus GCS alone according to Nagelkerke's .

Traumatic Brain Injury and Risk of Incident Comorbidities.

Importance: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with chronic medical conditions. Evidence from diverse clinical administrative datasets may improve care delivery.

Objective: To characterize post-TBI risk of incident neuropsychiatric and medical conditions in a California health care system administrative database and validate findings from a Massachusetts dataset.

Clinical profile of patients with acute traumatic brain injury undergoing cranial surgery in the United States: report from the 18-centre TRACK-TBI cohort study.

Background: Contemporary surgical practices for traumatic brain injury (TBI) remain unclear. We describe the clinical profile of an 18-centre US TBI cohort with cranial surgery.

Methods: The prospective, observational Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury Study (2014-2018; ClinicalTrials.