Traumatic Brain Injuries Research To Be Carried Out At New Injury Control Research Center

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 19 Aug 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City as its newest Injury Control Research Center (ICRC). The new center will conduct research on persons with traumatic brain injuries in order to better understand the consequences of their injury and to help enhance the quality of their lives.

"Connecting research to communities is a primary focus for CDC and we are pleased that Mount Sinai's ICRC is now part of this critical research network," said Dr. Ileana Arias, Director of CDC's Injury Center. "Their work in TBI will fill a critical gap and can help shape a better understanding of how to improve the lives of those affected."

CDC's Injury Control Research Centers (ICRC) are located at 13 universities throughout the United States. At each ICRC, scientists from a wide spectrum of disciplines focus upon discovering how to prevent and control injuries more effectively. They also work to identify critical knowledge gaps in injury risk and protection and also conduct research to address these gaps. Furthermore, this network of ICRC's also provide technical assistance to injury prevention and control programs within their geographic region. At the Mount Sinai ICRC the focus will be only TBI, including concussion while other centers focus on other disabilities.

"Mount Sinai is honored by the new designation as an Injury Control Research Center by the CDC," says Wayne A. Gordon, PhD, ABPP/Cn, the Jack Nash Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine. "This new designation builds on the work that we have been doing at Mount Sinai in traumatic brain injury for the last two decades, during which time we have been at the forefront of TBI interventions and treatments. Our team looks forward to continuing to work to help individuals with traumatic brain injury improve their day-to-day function and quality of life."

Mount Sinai's new Center will evaluate promising treatments that address many of the consequences of brain injury, such as impaired cognitive functioning, mood disturbances, and emotional difficulties. The Center will help better identify people with brain injury, and their needs and problems. Lastly, it will look at improving community integration and functioning, and will help educate those most affected by TBI.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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About TBI
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are caused by a bump or blow to the head that disrupts the way that the brain normally works. TBIs contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability annually. CDC estimates that 5.3 million Americans, about 2 percent of the U.S. population, currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a TBI.

About The Mount Sinai Medical Center
The Mount Sinai Medical Center encompasses The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The Mount Sinai Hospital is one of the nation's oldest, largest and most-respected voluntary hospitals. Founded in 1852, Mount Sinai today is a 1,171-bed tertiary-care teaching facility that is internationally acclaimed for excellence in clinical care. Last year, nearly 50,000 people were treated at Mount Sinai as inpatients, and there were nearly 450,000 outpatient visits to the Medical Center.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine is internationally recognized as a leader in groundbreaking clinical and basic-science research, as well as having an innovative approach to medical education. With a faculty of more than 3,400 in 38 clinical and basic science departments and centers, Mount Sinai ranks among the top 20 medical schools in receipt of National Institute of Health (NIH) grants.

More Information

For information about Mount Sinai's ICRC, visit http://www.tbicentral.org/.

Full descriptions of current research and education projects conducted by the ICRC's may be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/profiles/icrcs/default.htm.

For more information about CDC's ICRC's, visit http://www.cdc.gov/injury.

Source: Mount Sinai Newsroom
The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine