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Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

Sometimes surviving is only half the battle. When the jarring force of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) upends daily life, our community of experts at UTHealth are committed to our patients—from the immediate response to the pursuit of answers that bring healing.

Traumatic Brain Injury - doctors examining computer model

At UTHealth, we see the long-term aftermath of TBI and SCI firsthand, from paralysis and chronic pain to lost memories, poor concentration, and depression. Each time someone suffers a TBI or SCI, the urgency of better understanding these injuries; finding more effective treatments; and training the next generation of neuroscientists, physicians, and researchers becomes evenmore clear.

Some of the most brilliant minds in neuroscience work at UTHealth, dedicating themselves to further uncover the mechanisms behind TBI and SCI, discover techniques that prevent permanent brain damage, and translate these breakthroughs from the laboratory bench to the hospital bedside.

Pursuing this mission in a rich collaborative landscape, our faculty have access to the expertise and knowledge through the university and other institutions throughout the Texas Medical Center, which is home to unparalleled resources for brain research and clinical trials.

Recent breakthroughs in fields such as stem cell therapy offer the potential to more effectively treat TBI, holding the promise of significantly improved quality of life for survivors.

UTHealth has the knowledge and infrastructure to bring this promise to reality, and your support ofMany Faces. One Mission.will allow our experts to continue dedicating themselves to transforming the lives of our patients.

  • "We have seen how much a traumatic brain injury can devastate a life. With new advances in treatment and the combined expertise of UTHealth researchers, we will continue to pursue our goal of effective interventions that change futures for the better."

    Charles S. Cox, Jr., MD

    George & Cynthia Mitchell Distinguished Chair in Neurosciences

    Director, Program in Children's Regenerative Medicine

    Professor, Department of Pediatric Surgery

    McGovern Medical School at UTHealth

  • Stem Cell Research

    We have shown that treatment with stem cells can preserve brain tissue and neurological function following TBI, opening the door to significantly improved quality of life for TBI survivors. Our researchers are also using stem cells to grow brain-like tissue, which along with preclinical models are illuminating how TBI accelerates Alzheimer’s disease.

  • Concussions Research

    UTHealth scientists are exploring the use of neuroimaging and biomarkers in adolescent athletes to help clinicians quickly identify individuals who sustained a concussion and may be at risk for post-concussion syndrome and lasting brain damage. Our researchers are also examining how hormonal differences may affect the brain’s response to injury, specifically in adolescent females who suffer concussions, which could unlock early interventions to reduce long-term neurocognitive problems.

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