Brain Waves: UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Newsletter Volume 17 | Number 2

VOL 17 | NUM 2 2019 BrainWaves UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Digital Newsletter Headline News The University of Alabama at Birmingham Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (UAB-TBIMS) provides Brain Waves twice annually as an informational resource for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). UAB-TBIMS Program Director: Robert Brunner, MD Brain Waves Editor: Phil Klebine, MA 529 Spain Rehabilitation Center 1717 6th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233-7330 Phone: [phone] TDD: 205-934-4642 Fax: [phone] WWW.UAB.EDU/TBI [email protected] /UABTBIMS /UABTBIMS /UABTBIMS The contents of this publication were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DPTB0015). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this publication do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. ©2019 University of Alabama Board of Trustees. The University of Alabama at Birmingham provides equal opportunity in education and employment. The Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) recently updated its 4-part factsheet series on Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury. The MSKTC collaborates with TBI Model System programs to adapt knowledge gained from research into information that benefits people with TBI and their families. This means you get information from TBI experts. In fact, experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (UAB- TBIMS) co-authored the series. Below are the updated factsheets. Other new and updated factsheets are soon to be released, so check back on occasion for additions and updates. • Understanding TBI: Part 1 - What happens to the brain during injury and the early stages of recovery from TBI? • Understanding TBI: Part 2 - Brain injury impact on individuals functioning • Understanding TBI: Part 3 - The Recovery Process • Understanding TBI: Part 4 - The Impact of a Recent TBI on Family Members and What They Can Do To Help With Recovery About 25% of new head injuries are to women, so it is not surprising that head injury research in women is limited. However, this year a number of interesting findings looking at gender differences after injury. One area is concussions related to domestic violence. Concussion research has mainly focused on boys and men. However, a study published the Journal of Neurotrauma estimates that between 44 and 75% of women who experience domestic violence sustain repetitive concussions. That is about 1.6 million women each year. There is also growing research into gender differences on the impact of concussion. A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that girls who play high school soccer are at nearly the same risk for brain injuries as boys who play high school football. Concussion rates were higher among girls than boys in every high school sport. Another study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine showed that girls who suffer a concussion while playing school sports are more likely than boys to delay seeking specialty medical care, which can worsen their symptoms and prolong recovery. And another study published in the Journal of Women’s Health showed women and girls with a concussion are more likely than men and boys to also have a neck injury with the concussion. These and other similar studies are increasing awareness at the highest levels. Hopefully, such insights will lead to more funding into the short- and long-term aftermath of concussion in girls and women. BrainWaves would like to congratulate Dr. Thomas Novack on his upcoming retirement. Dr. Novack was Program Director for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (UAB-TBIMS) from 1998 to 2019. His career spans even longer, and his contributions in TBI research and clinical care will forever be appreciated. Enjoy retirement, Dr. Novack!