Grant: Operating Grant

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in persons under the age of 50 years. Alcohol misuse is a significant risk factor for TBI. The prevalence of alcohol intoxication in hospital patients presenting to the Emergency Department with head trauma ranges from 37% to 53%. Patients who are intoxicated at the time of TBI have been found to be more difficult to manage and treat, have worse recovery, and consequently place an increased economic burden on the health care system. However, it is unclear whether poor recovery following an intoxicated-TBI is due to the negative effects of acute alcohol intoxication at the time of injury, or simply due to the consequences of pre-injury alcohol abuse that is common in this population. To date, our current understanding of the effects of alcohol misuse on outcome from TBI is limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the relative contributions of day-of-injury alcohol intoxication and pre-injury alcohol misuse on the neuropsychological and neuropathological outcome from TBI. This study will recruit patients treated at the Emergency Department of Vancouver General Hospital and Lions Gate Hospital who have sustained a TBI. Participants will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing at 6 weeks and 12 months post injury. Neuropsychological outcome will focus on various neurocognitive abilities (e.g., attention and memory) and neurobehavioural outcomes (e.g., emotional and quality of life factors). Neuropathological outcome will be evaluated using a sophisticated MRI technology, diffusion tensor imaging, that will assess microstructural damage in the brain. This study will lead to a greater understanding of the role of alcohol on outcome from TBI which will facilitate the development of more effective treatment and rehabilitation options for this population.