The purpose of this study is to improve the ability to diagnose problems after mild traumatic
brain injury (MTBI) and to test a drug that may improve the outcome from these injuries. Of
the more than 1.5 million people who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year in
the United States, as many as 75% sustain a mild TBI which can cause long-term or permanent
impairments/disabilities in a significant proportion of patients. In addition, traumatic
brain injury has become a signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. For people
with these injuries, it is difficult to determine whether symptoms are due to the head injury
or another condition, such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. In this project, there are 3
observational studies that involve testing of mental functions and behavior, imaging of the
brain with special x-ray procedures, and blood samples to look at glandular function, which
may be affected by head injury. A fourth study is a test of a drug, atorvastatin, which may
provide protection for injured brain cells and improve outcome. By collecting and analyzing
the information from these tests, it will be possible to make the process of diagnosing mild
TBI or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more precise, and also to see if atorvastatin is
a helpful drug for patients with MTBI.
Phase:
Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Baylor College of Medicine
Collaborator:
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston