Traumatic Brain Injury Model System

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) designated Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation’s (BIR) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program as one of the fourteen TBI Model Systems in the United States. NIDRR also named BIR’s TBI program to be part of this prestigious network from 2002-2007 and again from 2007-2012. In this elite program of research, both collaborative and individual site specific research projects seek to improve treatment and outcomes for patients after TBI.

As part of this effort, researchers at BIR are studying the role of human growth hormone deficiency in the recovery of traumatic brain injury patients. Up to 35% of patients with traumatic brain injuries have deficiencies in human growth hormone. These insufficient growth hormone levels may be contributing to limited recovery after TBI. Since most repair and regeneration occurs in the first few months following the injury, researchers theorize that early recombinant human growth hormone treatment could improve a patient’s functional outcome. The results of this study could positively impact quality of life for TBI survivors.

The National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research funds the North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System. Baylor researchers gather and submit data about patients with a TBI who agree to be a part of the studies to the national TBIMS database as well as conduct other research studies on TBI. All research is designed to learn more about traumatic brain injury and about the issues and concerns of people with TBIs. The goal is to improve outcomes and quality of life for people who have had brain injuries and for their families.

BIR participates in the North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model System by offering:

• Emergency medical services
• Intensive acute care services
• Acute medical rehabilitation services
• Post-acute services
• Ongoing community follow-up
• Referrals to community agencies
• Educational programs and research

Traumatic brain injury patients who have been cared for at one of the two cooperating Level I trauma centers in North Texas since the day of their injury -- Baylor University Medical Center or Parkland Hospital Surgical Intensive Care Unit -- are eligible for the model system. By volunteering, you allow hospital researchers to review your medical records and answer questionnaires regarding your care and progress. The anonymous information is sent to a national data center and compared to that from other TBI survivors. Periodically, you are also asked to have a re-evaluation with a neuropsychologist on staff at Baylor and have a brief medical exam. If you meet certain criteria, you may also be asked to participate in periodic smaller research projects.