The University of Adelaide Forecasting Impairment and Neurodegenerative Disease risk following Traumatic Brain Injury (FIND-TBI): A computational neurology-driven method to predict long-term prognosis.

June 4th, 2020

The Australian government is investing $5.7 million to further develop traumatic brain injury research, aimed at improving the lives of Australians who sustain brain injuries.

Our group is proud to be part of two projects funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) this year.

Led by the University of Adelaide – $1,987,160.

This study will use a suite of innovative neuroimaging techniques, including quantitative magnetisation transfer imaging of the locus coeruleus, Nigrosome-1 visualisation and PET imaging of neuroinflammation, to track the progression of brain pathology as a function of both initial severity and time since injury in individuals who have experienced a TBI compared to those with established idiopathic PD. This will be coupled with functional assessment using a custom-designed cognitive and motor testing battery, as well as a comprehensive panel of neuroinflammatory and cell stress markers, in order to assess patterns of change over time. Machine learning and computational neurology techniques will be used to generate a risk algorithm. Ultimately, this will improve our ability to predict an individual’s long-term prognosis following TBI, allowing for earlier, more targeted therapeutic interventions.

Team members involved: Dr Wayne Leifert and Dr Maxime François

PREDICT-TBI – PREdiction and Diagnosis using Imaging and Clinical biomarkers Trial in Traumatic Brain Injury: the value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Led by the University of Queensland – $1,765,000.

The PREdiction and Diagnosis using Imaging and Clinical biomarkers Trial in Traumatic Brain Injury (PREDICT-TBI) study seeks to address and optimise support and personalisation of care for patients after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury to achieve the best possible outcomes. The PREDICT-TBI patient outcome model will combine Computed Tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), detailed clinical data, blood biospecimens including CSIROs novel circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) assay, detailed clinical outcomes, and sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) models to predict neurological outcome at 3 and 6 months post-injury and better inform patient management.

Team members involved: Dr Jason Ross and Dr Warwick Locke