Carilion Clinic Awarded $3.5 Million NIH Grant for Concussion Study

At least 2.8 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines concussion as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This impact can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, stretching and damaging brain cells and creating chemical changes in the brain.  Falls account for nearly 50% of the causes of TBI and adults over the age of 75 have the highest incidence of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.  To investigate a new method to diagnose mTBI in the elderly, the National Institutes of Health have awarded a $3.5 million grant to Carilion Clinic, BRAINBox Solutions, and the University of Pennsylvania. To learn more watch the video in our ‘Rewards of Research’ series or click here to learn more about Carilion Clinic’s Dr. Damon Kuehl, Co-PI of this study.