TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Past, present, and future of traumatic brain injury research
JO  - Neurosurgery clinics of North America
A1  - Hawryluk, Gregory W. J.
A1  - Bullock, M. Ross
SP  - 375
EP  - 396
VL  - 27
IS  - 4
N2  - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the greatest cause of death and severe disability in young adults; its incidence is increasing in the elderly and in the developing world. Outcome from severe TBI has improved dramatically as a result of advancements in trauma systems and supportive critical care, however we remain without a therapeutic which acts directly to attenuate brain injury. Recognition of secondary injury and its molecular mediators has raised hopes for such targeted treatments. Unfortunately, over 30 late-phase clinical trials investigating promising agents have failed to translate a therapeutic for clinical use. Numerous explanations for this failure have been postulated and are reviewed here. With this historical context we review ongoing research and anticipated future trends which are armed with lessons from past trials, new scientific advances, as well as improved research infrastructure and funding. There is great hope that these new efforts will finally lead to an effective therapeutic for TBI as well as better clinical management strategies.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1042-3680
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nec.2016.05.002
ID  - ref1
ER  -