FIND-TBI
Forecasting Long-Term Impairment and Neurodegenerative Disease Risk Following Traumatic Brain Injury.
For those who have experienced a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI), the effects can last long beyond the original impact. Did you know that 5-15% of all dementia cases are thought to be due to TBI? Or that a single concussion can increase your risk of Parkinson’s disease by 56%, while a more severe injury can increase risk by 83%? Despite the now well-established link between TBI and later neurodegenerative disease development, we still don’t know who is at risk of such an outcome, or what an individual’s prognosis following injury might be.
Through the use of machine learning, the FIND-TBI study aims to reduce some of this uncertainty, shedding light on the factors that may predict risk of Parkinson’s disease development following injury. The results from this study will provide critical insight into post-injury prognosis and help to guide clinical decision making around long-term monitoring and management of individuals following TBI.
Who can participate?
Individuals aged 18+ who have experienced a concussion or traumatic brain injury of any severity at some point in the past. It doesn’t matter if your TBI was recent or decades ago- you’re welcome to participate!
In addition, you must:
- Not have an uncorrected visual or hearing impairment
- Be deemed eligible to undergo an MRI, based on our safety checklist (e.g. no metal implants; not suffering from claustrophobia; not currently pregnant or suspecting to be pregnant)
- Be fluent in English
Keen to participate, but you don’t have a prior history of TBI? We are also seeking individuals with no known neurological disorders, as well as those with an established diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, as reference groups, so please get in touch with the study team using the links below!
What will participants do?
There will be two in-person testing sessions. Each session will take place over one day, and there are no follow up requirements. Prior to your first session, you will also be sent a link to complete a series of online questionnaires at your own convenience.
Session 1: This session will take place the University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus. During the session, you will complete a series of questions and tests to look at your mood, cognitive and motor function, as well as related factors.
It will take 2.5 to 3 hours in total to complete this session. As a thank you, you will receive a $50 Coles/Myer gift card.
Session 2: This session will take place at the Clinical Research Imaging Centre at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) on North Terrace. This session will involve a brain scan, a blood draw and collection of a saliva sample.
The brain scan will be conducted using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a device that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. MRI is a safe imaging modality that does not involve ionising radiation, so you can have multiple MRIs without any harm to yourself. Once the MRI scan is finished, you will be asked to provide a saliva and blood sample. We will use these blood and saliva samples in order to look for the presence of certain markers that are related to inflammation and degeneration in the brain.
It will take 1 to 1.5 hours in total to complete this session. As a thank you, you will receive a $25 Coles/Myer gift card.
For more information and to get involved
Complete an expression of interest, after which a member of the study team will get in touch.
Alternatively, please email: find_tbi@adelaide.edu.au.
This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Adelaide. If you have any questions or problems associated with the practical aspects of your participation in the project, you can consult the Principal Investigator on 8313 5488. If you wish to speak with an independent person regarding concerns or a complaint, please contact the Human Research Ethics Committee’s Secretariat on 8313 6028.