University Times

Pitt has received two grants totaling $3.9 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that will support research aimed at developing and testing the latest innovations in rehabilitation technology and discovering more effective pharmaceutical treatments for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

These grants make Pitt the leader in TBI research and rehabilitation in the state and one of the leading centers in the country, NIH officials said.

Researchers estimate that 2.5 million to 6.5 million Americans alive today have had a traumatic brain injury and many of those have been left with cognitive, behavioral and communicative disabilities.

Ross Zafonte, chairperson of the Pitt medical school’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and principal investigator of both grants, said:“Our comprehensive continuum of care for people who suffer TBI, which begins with emergency response, continues with acute care and then to rehabilitation, is already nationally recognized for its excellence. This designation demonstrates our continuing commitment to expand our knowledge base and improve treatments in order to even better service those with disabilities.”

The two grants will evaluate rehabilitative and pharmaceutical interventions in persons with traumatic brain injury and their impact on patient recovery. The grants include:

• A $1.8 million dollar grant from the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research that will create the University of Pittsburgh Brain Injury Model System.The UPBI will evaluate the impact of three innovations in rehabilitation technology, including a unique personalized powered wheelchair, virtual reality and robotics, and a web-based virtual case manager support structure.

Model systems are awarded to programs that demonstrate excellence in the treatment of persons with TBI. UPBI will work independently and in collaboration with 20 other model systems.

• A $2.1 million dollar grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to create a cooperative multi-center Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trial Network.

Pitt’s research focuses include evaluating the mechanisms of brain injury and recovery of dopamine systems, one of several neurotransmitter systems believed to be altered in TBI; gender related differences in injury, recovery and response to therapies, and genetic influences on mechanisms of injury, recovery and medication efficacy. The network is made up of five centers across the country.