Description:
BackgroundMild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is common accounting for 1.4 million hospital visits annually in the UK. Although classified as mild it leads to disproportionate impact on future health. Many suffer long-term disability driven by post-traumatic headache, mood and visual disturbances, vestibular dys- function, post-traumatic stress disorder, cognitive impairment and inability to work. Biomarkers to predict these outcomes are an unmet need.MethodsWe will conduct a longitudinal, prospective cohort study over 8 years, recruiting 800 participants (military, civilian and sports injuries) with an acute diagnosis of mTBI. At onset, assessment of biomarkers will include brain imaging, cerebral physiology, blood and saliva, headache, mental health, vision, balance, and cognitive performance. We will evaluate the ability of biomarkers to predict long-term complications at 6, 12 and 24 months (and at 10 years plus though NHS digital data).DiscussionThis UK mTBI consortium aims to identify accurate, reproducible and clinically practical mul- timodal biomarkers in mTBI. Biomarkers would identify those with a good prognosis who could rapidly return to activity and those likely to suffer complications focussing prompt and targeted therapy. This programme of research aims to deliver a step change in patient care and bring much needed advances in mTBI management.