Citation

Diaz-Arrastia R, Kochanek PM, Bergold P, Kenney K, Marx C, Grimes JB, Loh Y, Adam G, Oskvig DB, Curley KC, Salzer W. J. Neurotrauma 2014; 31(2): 135-158.

Affiliation

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Neurology, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20814 ; ramon.diaz-arrastia@usuhs.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2013.3019

PMID

23968241

Abstract

Despite substantial investments by government, philanthropic, and commercial sources over the past several decades, traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains an unmet medical need and a major source of disability and mortality in both developed and developing societies. The U.S. Department of Defense neurotrauma research portfolio contains more than 500 research projects funded at over $700 million, and is aimed at developing interventions that mitigate the effects of trauma to the nervous system and lead to improved quality of life outcomes. A key area of this portfolio focuses on the need for effective pharmacologic approaches for treating patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its associated symptoms. The Neurotrauma Pharmacology Workgroup was established by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) with the overarching goal of providing a strategic research plan for developing pharmacologic treatments that improve clinical outcomes after TBI. To inform this plan, the Workgroup (a) assessed the current state of the science and ongoing research and (b) identified research gaps to inform future development of research priorities for the neurotrauma research portfolio. The Workgroup identified the six most critical research priority areas in the field of pharmacological treatment for individuals with TBI. The priority areas represent parallel efforts required to advance clinical care; each requires independent effort and sufficient investment. These priority areas will help the USAMRMC and other funding agencies strategically guide their research portfolios to ensure the development of effective pharmacologic approaches for treating patients with TBI.

Language: en