TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
MTBI2’s Translational Research Division conducts preclinical traumatic brain injury (TBI) research that closely models human studies and interventional trial processes. This novel approach enhances our ability to translate promising preclinical treatments into successful future clinical trials. The Translational Research Division regularly consults with our Clinical Trials Unit and our Clinical Core Facilities to ensure their efforts parallel human study standards.
Our Translational Research Division collaborates closely with the Uniformed Services University’s (USU) Preclinical Studies Core and Translational Imaging Core. Together, we work to conduct robust studies that are:
- Closely aligned with human pathophysiology
- Employing clinically relevant outcome measures
- Comparable to military TBI patient experiences
Combined, our Translational Therapeutics Core, USU’s Preclinical Studies Core, and USU's Translational Imaging Core have an impressive array of capabilities that include:
- A variety of complex injury models that closely model military-related TBIs: a combination of blast exposure and/or impact and rotational forces with stress-inducing environmental stimuli
- Assessment of symptom expression similar to those measured in human trials: disruptions in mood (e.g., depression and anxiety), sleep, pain/headache, attention, impulsivity, and cognition (e.g., memory)
- Application of interventional timelines that mimic human study standards: acute (one day), sub-acute (30 days), and chronic (6-12 months)
- The use of advanced, state-of-the-art neuroimaging capabilities that are also utilized in human studies: Positron Emission Tomography, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET/SPECT/CT); and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Integration of clinical trial standards: randomization; blinding; dosing; safety and toxicity assessments; exploration of age and sex as biological variables; and scalability to both larger animal models and humans