NNS 2026

Scientific Program

Scentific Program

Detailed Scientific Program

The Scientific Program for NNS 2026 is now available.

Please note that the program is subject to change without notice. 

Times shown are in Central Time (CT).

Program Information

7:00 am - 8:00 am

(SESSION)NNS Fun Run

8:00 am - 8:30 am

(SESSION)Opening Ceremony

8:30 am - 9:45 am

(SESSION)KN01 - Lived Experience Keynote

Session Description

KNO1.01 - Belief, Connection, Resilience, and Time. What Recovery After Brain Injury Often Requires.

Recovery after many brain injuries unfolds over years, not weeks. Drawing on qualitative research as well as two decades of lived experience recovering from a severe traumatic brain injury, this keynote explores the human capacities that make long-term healing possible: belief, connection, resilience, and agency. It examines why post-acute care can produce better outcomes by deliberately strengthening these capacities. Recovery demands systems designed not just for survival, but for adaptation, meaning, and sustained engagement over time.

KN01.02 - Utilizing the Under-rated Resource of Lived-experience as an ally for Funding, Informing Research Priorities, and Building a case for Urgency.  

Topics to be discussed: 

-Illustrating the "inaccessibility cycle" using our first-ever Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon handcycle attempt and its parallels to finding a seat at the table of research. 
-The U2FP LabRats lab consultant program as an example of utilizing lived-experience to inform "community impact", research priorities, clinical study design, and study recruitment/retainment
-Our work to support researchers through state-level research grant bills, including our current effort in WI. 
-Our work to defend research investment at the Federal level: the fight to save DOD SCIRP and the broader CDMRP
-A call to rethink urgency, incentives and organization and coordination of siloed research toward a functional recovery endpoint. 

 

8:30 am - 9:00 am

KN01.01 - Belief, Connection, Resilience, and Time. What Recovery After Brain Injury Often Requires.

Scott Hamilton, Mr.
Managing Director
Brain Care Catalyst Foundation

Scott Hamilton, Mr. Scott Hamilton, Mr.
9:00 am - 9:30 am

KN01.02 - Utilizing the Under-rated Resource of Lived-experience as an ally for Funding, Informing Research Priorities, and Building a case for Urgency.  

Jason Stoffer, Mr.
Advocacy Director
Unite 2 Fight Paralysis

Jason Stoffer, Mr. Jason Stoffer, Mr.
9:45 am - 10:30 am

(SESSION)P0A: Poster Group A

10:30 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)KN02 - Translating Tau to the Touchline: A Cells to Society Approach to TBI Research

Translating Tau to the Touchline: A Cells to Society Approach to TBI Research
 
The last two decades have seen remarkable advances in our understanding of the potential lifelong brain health consequences associated with TBI and repetitive head impacts (RHI). In large part, this has been driven by increased recognition of the TBI/RHI-specific tauopathy, chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change, in autopsy examinations of former contact sports athletes.
 
In this talk, we will review efforts to identify the clinical implications of this newly appreciated pathology and examine how these findings are shaping global public health policies, including grassroots concussion protocols and head impact exposure limits in sports such as soccer and rugby.

10:30 am - 11:15 am

KN02.01 - Translating Tau to the Touchline: A Cells to Society Approach to TBI Research

William Stewart, Professor
Consultant Neuropathologist
NHS GGC

William Stewart, Professor William Stewart, Professor
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm

(SESSION)DB01 - Data Blitz Mini Oral Presentations

1:40 am - 1:43 am

DB01.11 - Retrospective Application of the 2023 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Diagnostic Criteria for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura McGuigan, Ms.
Graduate Student
Medical College of Wisconsin

Laura McGuigan, Ms. Laura McGuigan, Ms.
2:07 am - 2:10 am

DB01.20 - Acid-Base Derangements Correlate with Unfavorable Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI ICU Cohort Study

David Caldwell, Dr.
Neurosurgery Resident
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco

David Caldwell, Dr. David Caldwell, Dr.
1:10 pm - 1:13 pm

DB01.01 - Persistent Post-concussion Symptoms Correspond to Lasting Axonal and Oligodendrocyte Damage in Repetitive mTBI

Helena Oft, Ms
MD PhD Student
University of Pittsburgh

Helena Oft, Ms Helena Oft, Ms
1:13 pm - 1:16 pm

DB01.02 - Neural Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicle Therapy Improves Cellular And Functional Recovery In A Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Porcine Model

Taylor LePage, Mrs
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Georgia- Regenerative Bioscience Center

Taylor LePage, Mrs Taylor LePage, Mrs
1:16 pm - 1:19 pm

DB01.03 - Unique Transcriptomic Profiles of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Male Mice

Madison Wypyski, Ms.
Graduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech

Madison Wypyski, Ms. Madison Wypyski, Ms.
1:19 pm - 1:22 pm

DB01.04 - Microbiome Driven Gut–brain Axis Dysfunction and Enteric Nervous System Remodeling in Chronic Abdominal Pain After Spinal Cord Injury

Sonali Choudhury, Mrs.
PhD candidate
University Of Kansas Medical Center

Sonali Choudhury, Mrs. Sonali Choudhury, Mrs.
1:22 pm - 1:25 pm

DB01.05 - Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for Reduction of Acute Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury

Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs.
Phd Student
Rush University

Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs. Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs.
1:25 pm - 1:28 pm

DB01.06 - Perivascular Connexin 43 and Fibronectin expression is a Novel Signature of Interface Astroglial Scarring in a Gyrencephalic Model of Multi-Modal Traumatic Brain Injury

Bradley Smith, Mr.
Graduate Research Associate
Uniformed Services University Of The Health Sciences

Bradley Smith, Mr. Bradley Smith, Mr.
1:28 pm - 1:31 pm

DB01.07 - Optogenetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Motor Rehabilitation in Rodent Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Models

Emma Moravec, Ms.
Graduate Student
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Emma Moravec, Ms. Emma Moravec, Ms.
1:31 pm - 1:34 pm

DB01.08 - Machine Learning Classification of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Using Actigraphy-Derived Sleep Signatures

Andrea Lugo, Ms.
Doctoral Student
University of Colorado- Boulder

Andrea Lugo, Ms. Andrea Lugo, Ms.
1:34 pm - 1:37 pm

DB01.09 - Elucidation of Progressive Transcriptional Regulation within Serotonin Neurons Following MildTraumatic Brain Injury

Hana Schwierling, Ms.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Cincinnati

Hana Schwierling, Ms. Hana Schwierling, Ms.
1:37 pm - 1:40 pm

DB01.10 - Repetitive Head Impacts Drive Collagen IV Vascular Remodeling Before Tau Pathology in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms.
Anatomy & Neurobiology PhD Student
Boston University

Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms. Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms.
1:46 pm - 1:49 pm

DB01.13 - Therapeutic Targeting of the Thrombin Receptor in Chronic SCI Promotes Functional Gains and Improvements in Lipid Metabolism

Kaleb Miles, Mr.
Graduate Student
Mayo Clinic

Kaleb Miles, Mr. Kaleb Miles, Mr.
1:49 pm - 1:52 pm

DB01.14 - Connecting the Spots: Applying the Void-Spot-Assay and Machine Learning To Evaluate Urinary Function and Behavior After Spinal Cord Injury

Ryan Dorrian, Dr.
Post Doctoral Researcher
Adelaide University

Ryan Dorrian, Dr. Ryan Dorrian, Dr.
1:52 pm - 1:55 pm

DB01.15 - Hunting for a Molecular Phenotype of Rod Microglia in TBI and Neurodegeneration

Karisa Louangprasert, Ms
Postbaccalaureate Research Laboratory Technician
University of Michigan - Michigan Medicine

Karisa Louangprasert, Ms Karisa Louangprasert, Ms
1:55 pm - 1:58 pm

DB01.16 - Traumatic Brain Injury During Pregnancy Disrupts Cortical Development, Evidenced by Differential Gene Expression and Cortical Layer Thickness in Exposed Offspring

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.
Research Assistant
University of Arizona

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs. Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.
1:58 pm - 2:01 pm

DB01.17 - Development of an Ultra-Selective DYRK1A Inhibitor as an Acute Therapeutic Strategy for Repeated Head Trauma

George Cottle, Mr
Research Associate
The Roskamp Institute

George Cottle, Mr George Cottle, Mr
2:01 pm - 2:04 pm

DB01.18 - Associations of Neurotrauma History with Parkinsonism and Lewy Body Dementia Clinical Features in Former NFL Players at Late Life

Mikaela Sullivan, Ms.
Clinical Research Assitant
Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Medical College Of Wisconsin

Mikaela Sullivan, Ms. Mikaela Sullivan, Ms.
2:04 pm - 2:07 pm

DB01.19 - Cracking the Code of Baroreflex Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury

Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr
Associate professor
University of Missouri - Columbia

Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S01 - Toward a Better Understanding of the Effects of mTBI on Women: A Neurobiological Perspective

Session Description:

This symposium aims to analyze emerging evidence for the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) on women using a neurobiological framework. In the first presentation, we will describe and discuss the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis in relation to the effects of mTBI on women. In the second presentation, we will present and analyze emerging neurobiological (e.g., clinical/behavioral, blood, urine) findings from the ongoing longitudinal Women’s Multi-domain Evaluation of Neurobiological Health Concussion (WOMEN’S Health Concussion) study. We will highlight the short (90 days) and long-term (12 months) sexual, reproductive, and behavioral health outcomes from this study. In the third presentation, we will examine emerging findings from a new study of the role of pubertal development on sex differences in mTBI outcomes in adolescents. In the final presentation, we will discuss sex differences in outcomes associated with both sport-related concussion and repetitive head impacts including multidomain clinical/behavioral and neuroimaging outcomes. Throughout the symposium, we will emphasize how the information from these presentations can be leveraged to translate research into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes for women with mTBI. At the conclusion of this symposium, attendees will be able to apply the information to inform an evidence-based, multidomain assessment and targeted treatment approach to women with mTBI. Attendees will also have a better understanding of the neurobiological effects of mTBI on mechanistic pathways related to women’s health outcomes following mTBI.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S01 - Chair

Anthony Kontos, Dr.
Professor/vice Chair Of Clinical Research
University Of Pittsbugh School Of Medicine

Anthony Kontos, Dr. Anthony Kontos, Dr.
2:55 pm - 3:15 pm

S01.01 - Effects of mTBI on the Hypothalamic Pituitary Ovarian Axis: A Framework for Understanding Sex Differences

Julie Rios, Associate Professor
Division Director
Magee Women's Research Institute

Julie Rios, Associate Professor Julie Rios, Associate Professor
3:15 pm - 3:35 pm

S01.02 - Emerging Neurobiological Evidence for the Effects of mTBI on Women’s Reproductive and Sexual Health Outcomes from the WOMEN’S Health Concussion Study

Anthony Kontos, Dr.
Professor/vice Chair Of Clinical Research
University Of Pittsbugh School Of Medicine

Anthony Kontos, Dr. Anthony Kontos, Dr.
3:55 pm - 4:15 pm

S01.04 - Sex Differences in Sport-related Concussion and Repetitive Head Impact Outcomes

Jaclyn Caccese, Dr.
Associate Professor
The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Jaclyn Caccese, Dr. Jaclyn Caccese, Dr.
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S02 - From Talking About It to Doing It: The New CBI-M Framework for Characterization of Acute TBI

Session Description:

The proposed symposium will feature presentations on real-world application of the new CBI-M framework from the National Institutes of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) for characterization of acute traumatic brain injury (TBI).  The CBI-M model is the resultant of a NINDS-sponsored, consensus-driven process that involved over  100 clinical, research, and lived experience experts in TBI.  A chief aim of this initiative was to overcome limitations inherent to the conventional nomenclature of “mild, moderate, severe” TBI.  The new multi-dimensional CBI-M framework incorporates four pillars: Clinical (full Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] and pupillary reactivity), Biomarkers (blood-based biomarkers), Imaging (pathoanatomical features), and Modifiers (patient, injury and environmental factors that influence clinical presentation and outcome).  From the start, the NINDS effort emphasized strategies for implementation of the CBI-M to maximize its impact in clinical care and research trials in brain injury medicine.  To that end, this session will focus on efforts toward advancing the CBI-M from concept to application. In addition to introducing the overall CBI-M framework, presentations will focus on validation, translation, and implementation of the CBI-M pillars in research and clinical settings. Challenges in implementation and future directions of the CBI-M will be highlighted. A moderated discussion period will encourage input from the audience of TBI professionals and individuals with lived experience on the CBI-M model and its implementation in brain injury research and care.  

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S02 - Chair

Michael Mccrea, Dr.
Professor
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Michael Mccrea, Dr. Michael Mccrea, Dr.
2:55 pm - 3:10 pm

S02.01 - In Case You Missed It: Overview of the new NINDS CBI-M Framework

Nsini Umoh, Dr.
NIH

Nsini Umoh, Dr. Nsini Umoh, Dr.
3:10 pm - 3:25 pm

S02.02 - It Can Be Done: The Case of Blood-Based Biomarkers

Jeffrey Bazarian, Dr.
Professor of Emergency Medicine & Neurology
University of Rochester

Jeffrey Bazarian, Dr. Jeffrey Bazarian, Dr.
3:25 pm - 3:40 pm

S02.03 - What Real-world Data Tell Us: Efforts Toward Clinical Validation of the CBI-M

Geoffrey Manley, Dr.
Professor
University of California San Francisco

Geoffrey Manley, Dr. Geoffrey Manley, Dr.
3:40 pm - 3:55 pm

S02.04 - In Case You Missed It: Overview of the new NINDS CBI-M Framework and Not Just an Afterthought: Important Role of the Modifiers Pillar

Michael Mccrea, Dr.
Professor
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Michael Mccrea, Dr. Michael Mccrea, Dr.
3:55 pm - 4:10 pm

S02.05 - The Path Forward: Important Considerations for Implementation of the CBI-M Framework in Clinical Practice and Research

Michael Mccrea, Dr.
Professor
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Michael Mccrea, Dr. Michael Mccrea, Dr.
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S03 - From Bench to Bedside: Understanding Successes and Failures of Clinical Trials in Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

Session Description:

Neurotrauma is a rich field with a robust network of basic science and clinical researchers. Despite large gains in our understanding of the mechanisms of traumatic brain (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) over the past few decades, this has largely not translated into novel therapeutics to improve patient care. Neurotrauma as a field is plagued by high-profile, negative trials. These trials have failed for a variety of reasons, including suboptimal trial design, challenges with identifying proper outcome measures, poor patient selection, and challenges translating bedside therapeutics into the clinical space. In this session, we will review the progress made in recent SCI and TBI clinical trials, as well as their methodological  shortcomings. We will explore how researchers have brought promising bedside therapeutics into the clinical space, and the challenges they have faced. Additional talks will present a case example translating the basic science findings in spreading depolarizations into actionable clinical protocols to build out a clinical trial. We will look at brain tissue oxygenation, and how clinical trial structure led to one negative trial. Other, better designed trials offer promise. Lastly, we will review TRACK-NET, a clinical trials network for TBI. This network is the future for translating the basic and clinical findings into rapid turnover clinical trials to improve outcomes for our patients. Ultimately, while basic science research provides promising results, we must, as a field, improve our ability to translate these findings into clinical trials to improve outcomes in our patients.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S03 - Chair

Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor
Neurosurgeon
IU

Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor
2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S03 - Chair

Laura Ngwenya, Dr.
Professor
University of Cincinnati

Laura Ngwenya, Dr. Laura Ngwenya, Dr.
2:55 pm - 3:15 pm

S03.01 - Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials in Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury

Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor
Neurosurgeon
IU

Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor
3:15 pm - 3:35 pm

S03.02 - From Bench to Bedside - Bringing Spreading Depolarizations into the Clinical Space

Laura Ngwenya, Dr.
Professor
University of Cincinnati

Laura Ngwenya, Dr. Laura Ngwenya, Dr.
3:35 pm - 3:55 pm

S03.03 - From Bench to Bedside - Understanding how Brain Tissue Oxygenation Research Built Three, Large Scale Clinical Trials

Enyinna Nwachuku, Assistant Professor
Neurosurgeon
Penn State Health

Enyinna Nwachuku, Assistant Professor Enyinna Nwachuku, Assistant Professor
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S04 - Combinatorial Strategies in Spinal Cord Injury: Progress and Perspectives

Session Description:

Extensive preclinical research has shown that most effective therapies for spinal cord injury repair rely on combinatorial approaches that target multiple aspects of spinal cord injury pathology. These strategies often integrate exercise-based rehabilitation to optimize functional recovery and circuit remodeling. In contrast, most clinical trials in individuals with spinal cord injury have relied on single interventions, and when combinations are used, one typically involves rehabilitation. The goal of our session is to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress achieved through combinatorial approaches, highlight current translational challenges, and discuss strategies to advance clinical applications for improving patient outcomes. Michael Fehlings will discuss translational regenerative approaches for chronic cervical spinal cord injury using engineered neural stem cells. Dr. Jennifer Dulin will discuss how functional efficacy of neural stem cells transplantation is bolstered by activity-based rehabilitation in rodent models. Dr. Gordon Mitchell will discuss an emerging combinatorial strategy to recover respiratory and non-respiratory motor function in people with SCI: acute intermittent hypoxia (tAIH) followed by task specific training. Whereas there is a clear need for combined tAIH plus task specific training to improve locomotion, it is less clear with respiratory motor function.  Dr. Monica Perez will discuss how combinatorial therapies targeting spinal plasticity, integrating neurostimulation, pharmacological agents, and exercise-based rehabilitation, to enhance recovery following chronic SCI. Each speaker will integrate the knowledge presented into a unifying discussion on how combinatorial approaches can be used to maximize functional restoration after SCI. 

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S04 - Chair

Monica Perez, Professor
Scientific Chair, Arms + Hands Abilitylab
Northwestern University

Monica Perez, Professor Monica Perez, Professor
2:55 pm - 3:15 pm

S04.01 - Translational Regenerative Approaches Using Engineered Neural Stem Cells

Michael Fehlings, Dr.
Professor
University of Toronto

Michael Fehlings, Dr. Michael Fehlings, Dr.
3:15 pm - 3:35 pm

S04.02 - Neural Stem Cells and Activity-based Rehabilitation

Jennifer Dulin, Dr.
Associate Professor
Texas A&M University

Jennifer Dulin, Dr. Jennifer Dulin, Dr.
3:35 pm - 3:55 pm

S04.03 - Combinatorial Strategies to Recover Respiratory and Non-respiratory Function

Gordon Mitchell, Professor
Center Director
University of Florida

Gordon Mitchell, Professor Gordon Mitchell, Professor
3:55 pm - 4:15 pm

S04.04 - Combinatorial Therapies Targeting Spinal Plasticity in Humans with SCI

Monica Perez, Professor
Scientific Chair, Arms + Hands Abilitylab
Northwestern University

Monica Perez, Professor Monica Perez, Professor
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S05 - Innovative Biomaterial-Based Approaches for Neurotrauma Repair

Session Description

Recent advances in biomaterial engineering are redefining therapeutic options for repairing the injured central nervous system. From nanotherapeutics to engineered cell-supportive matrices and cell-targeting systems, biomaterials are providing innovative solutions to overcome common barriers to neurological treatment, such as poor drug bioavailability, limited tissue integration, inefficient targeting, and off-target effects. Our session brings together leading researchers developing next-generation biomaterials and delivery systems that integrate biological, chemical, and physical design principles to promote tissue repair and functional recovery. We will explore the use of injectable biomaterials, fibrous-based platforms, modular multi-scale biomaterial and combinatorial therapies to repair the injured neural tissue. Collectively, these presentations will highlight how innovative biomaterial systems can modulate the cellular microenvironment, enhance therapeutic precision, and accelerate the clinical translation of regenerative technologies for patients with neurotrauma.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S05 - Chair

Martin Oudega, Dr.
Professor
Northwestern University

Martin Oudega, Dr. Martin Oudega, Dr.
2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S05 - Chair

Susana R Cerqueira, Dr.
Research Assistant Professor
Clemson University

Susana R Cerqueira, Dr. Susana R Cerqueira, Dr.
2:55 pm - 3:10 pm

S05.01 - Modular Multi-scale Nanomaterials for Targeted Spinal Repair

Courtney Dumont, Dr.
Associate Professor
University of Miami

Courtney Dumont, Dr. Courtney Dumont, Dr.
3:25 pm - 3:40 pm

S05.03 - Cell-Targeted Combinatorial Therapeutic Strategies for Neurotrauma Applications

Susana R Cerqueira, Dr.
Research Assistant Professor
Clemson University

Susana R Cerqueira, Dr. Susana R Cerqueira, Dr.
3:40 pm - 3:55 pm

S05.04 - Injectable Biomaterials for Enhancing Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury

Martin Oudega, Dr.
Professor
Northwestern University

Martin Oudega, Dr. Martin Oudega, Dr.
3:55 pm - 4:10 pm

S05.05 - BI-on-a-Chip: Linking Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurodegenerative Diseases Through Multimodal Investigations

Riyi Shi, Professor
Mari Hulman George Endowed Professor Of Applied Neuroscience
Purdue University

Riyi Shi, Professor Riyi Shi, Professor
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S06 - Cellular Crosstalk and Collective Contributions to Tissue Damage after Neurotrauma

Session Description

The goal of this session is to provide insight into the diverse function and cell-cell interactions of neurons, glia and immune cells after spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). It will address the question how central nervous system (CNS) resident and invading cell types interact and contribute to outcomes after neurotrauma.

This session will focus on cell types contributing to the inflammatory response and neuronal damage. The speakers will analyze the interaction of innate and adaptive immune cells after TBI, discuss neuron-intrinsic immune mechanisms, present data on pericyte function in neurotrauma-responses and scrutinize the distinct properties of fibroblasts after CNS injury.

This seminar will provide a big-picture overview into the extent of cellular reactivity and interactions in neurotrauma.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S06 - Chair

Antje Kroner, Dr.
Associate Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin

Antje Kroner, Dr. Antje Kroner, Dr.
2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S06 - Chair

Jae Lee, Dr.
Professor
University of Miami, Department of Neurological Surgery

Jae Lee, Dr. Jae Lee, Dr.
2:55 pm - 3:15 pm

S06.01 - Dissecting the role of CD8+ T cell and Microglial cross talk in the aged TBI rain

Josh Morganti, Dr.
Associate Professor
University Of Kentucky

Josh Morganti, Dr. Josh Morganti, Dr.
3:15 pm - 3:35 pm

S06.02 - Neuron-immune Signaling After Spinal cord Injury

Antje Kroner, Dr.
Associate Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin

Antje Kroner, Dr. Antje Kroner, Dr.
3:35 pm - 3:55 pm

S06.03 - Pericyte Dysfunction and Vascular Alterations in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Preeja Chandran, Dr
Postdoctoral fellow
University of Louisville

Preeja Chandran, Dr Preeja Chandran, Dr
3:55 pm - 4:15 pm

S06.04 - Fibroblast Heterogeneity and Modulation After CNS Injury

Jae Lee, Dr.
Professor
University of Miami, Department of Neurological Surgery

Jae Lee, Dr. Jae Lee, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

(SESSION)Monday - Exhibition and Poster Reception - Poster Group A (POA)

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Botulinum-Toxin Enhanced Expression of an Intramuscularly Injected Optogenetic AAV Vector

Logan Read, Mr.
Graduate Student
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Logan Read, Mr. Logan Read, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

A New Classification for Acute, Blunt, Traumatic Clivus Fractures Based on the Mechanism of Injury

Nishani Hewage, Dr.
Trauma Surgeon
Valleywise Health Medical Center

Nishani Hewage, Dr. Nishani Hewage, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

A Novel Model of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Neuroplasticity-Susceptible Rat Strain

Robert Kotloski, Dr
physician
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Robert Kotloski, Dr Robert Kotloski, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

A Protective Helmet-Like Interface Allows for Higher Energy Impacts in the CHIMERA Traumatic Brain Injury Model in Laboratory Rats.

Alexia Hyde, Ms
Senior Research Associate
Henry Jackson Foundation

Alexia Hyde, Ms Alexia Hyde, Ms
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

AI-Aided Triage for GSWH: Validating an Interpretable HCT-Based Mortality Model

Jordan Fuhrman, Dr.
Research Scientist
University Of Chicago

Jordan Fuhrman, Dr. Jordan Fuhrman, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

AT 035,a NOP Receptor Partial Agonist, Enhances Recovery After Repeated Closed Head Traumatic Brain Injury With and Without Prior Stress

Rahat Ullah, Dr
Postdoc Research Fellow
The University of Oklahoma

Rahat Ullah, Dr Rahat Ullah, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Acid-Base Derangements Correlate with Unfavorable Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI ICU Cohort Study

David Caldwell, Dr.
Neurosurgery Resident
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco

David Caldwell, Dr. David Caldwell, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Acute CT Findings and Their Relation to Traumatic Axonal Injury on Early MRI in a Large Prospective Norwegian Cohort of Patients With Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Halvor Solheim, Mr.
Medical student
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Halvor Solheim, Mr. Halvor Solheim, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Assessing First Responder Perceptions About Gunshot Wounds to the Head (GSWH)

Deborah Huang, Dr.
Assistant Professor of Neurology
University of Chicago

Deborah Huang, Dr. Deborah Huang, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Assessing Outcomes of an Institutional Protocol for Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Civilian Cranial Gunshot Wounds

Natalie Ivey, Dr.
PGY-4
University Of Cincinnati Medical Center

Natalie Ivey, Dr. Natalie Ivey, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Associations of Neurotrauma History with Parkinsonism and Lewy Body Dementia Clinical Features in Former NFL Players at Late Life

Mikaela Sullivan, Ms.
Clinical Research Assitant
Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology, Medical College Of Wisconsin

Mikaela Sullivan, Ms. Mikaela Sullivan, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Autonomic Reflex–Induced NRF2 Activation Prevents Secondary Injury in Traumatic Brain Injury

Chunyan Li, Associate Professor
Associate Professor
The Feinstein Institutes For Medical Research

Chunyan Li, Associate Professor Chunyan Li, Associate Professor
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Axon Fiber Orientation Predicts Region-Specific Axonal Vulnerability in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mechanistic Basis for Selective White Matter Damage

Haojie Mao, Dr.
Associate Professor
Western University

Haojie Mao, Dr. Haojie Mao, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Baroreflex Sensitivity and Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation after Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: Disentangling Brain-Specific and Systemic Trauma Effects

Shotaro Saito, Dr.
Physician
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Shotaro Saito, Dr. Shotaro Saito, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Basic Needs Screening for Emergency Department Neurotrauma Patients

Mya Suneja, Ms.
Undergrad/Trainee
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Mya Suneja, Ms. Mya Suneja, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Bedside Electromagnetic Neuronavigation to Advance Precision and Safety for Cranial Access Procedures: Proof-of Principle Study in Neurotrauma and Neurocritical Care

John Yue, Dr.
Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
University Of California, San Francisco

John Yue, Dr. John Yue, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Blast-Primed CD3+ T Cells Drive Chronic Retinal Ganglion Cell Dysfunction and Loss After Adoptive Transfer

Matthew Harper, Dr.
Associate Professor
University of Iowa

Matthew Harper, Dr. Matthew Harper, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Blood-Brain-Barrier Signaling Biomarkers Demonstrate Distinct Temporal, Severity, and Outcome Patterns in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Sarah Svirsky, Dr.
Postdoctoral Scholar
University Of Pittsburgh

Sarah Svirsky, Dr. Sarah Svirsky, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Brain Age and Its Association With Concussion History, Head Impact Exposure, and Clinical Measures Across Three Cohorts of American Football Players Spanning Adolescence to Early Midlife

Mitchell Andersson, Dr
Postdoctoral Researcher
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Mitchell Andersson, Dr Mitchell Andersson, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Brain Injury Blood Biomarker Levels Remain Consistent Across Collection and Processing Variations in Healthy Controls

Ava Puccio, Dr.
Co-director Neurotrauma Cliniacl Trials Center
University Of Pittsburgh, Department Of Neurosurgery

Ava Puccio, Dr. Ava Puccio, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Brain and Spine Injuries During Rollover Crashes: Evaluating the Effects of the Updated FMVSS 216a Standard

Haojie Mao, Dr.
Associate Professor
Western University

Haojie Mao, Dr. Haojie Mao, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Building Partnerships to Optimize Traumatic Brain Injury Care: A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Approach to Health System Improvement

Temitayo Okusanya, Ms.,
Doctoral Candidate
Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI

Temitayo Okusanya, Ms., Temitayo Okusanya, Ms.,
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CNS-Injury Proteins, Repetitive Head Impact Exposure, and Prior Concussion in Collegiate Athletes 5-10 Years Post-Career: A CARE Consortium Preliminary Analysis

Timothy Meier, Dr.
Professor
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Timothy Meier, Dr. Timothy Meier, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cellular Responses After Combined Treatment for Repetitive Low-Level Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injuries

Bruce Citron, Dr.
Geneticist
Va New Jersey Health Care System

Bruce Citron, Dr. Bruce Citron, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cerebral Perfusion, Oxygenation, and Metabolism During Progressive Intracranial Pressure Elevation in Piglets

Farah Kamar, Ms.
MD/PhD Student
Western University

Farah Kamar, Ms. Farah Kamar, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Characterizing Persistent Neurotological Deficits Following Blast Exposure

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.
Professor
University Of Miami

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr. Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Characterizing the Role of Nursing Staff in the Implementation of a Remote Monitoring Tool for Adults Acutely Recovering from Concussion

Andrea Burnette, Mrs
Medical Student
Medical College of Wisconsin

Andrea Burnette, Mrs Andrea Burnette, Mrs
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Chronic Myoclonic Seizure Burden Following Repetitive Blast Exposure and Social Isolation

Sushant Prajapati, Mr.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Kentucky

Sushant Prajapati, Mr. Sushant Prajapati, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Complement-Mediated Neuroimmune Activation Drives Chronic Cognitive Decline After Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Khalil Mallah, Dr.
Assistant Professor
Medical University of South Carolina

Khalil Mallah, Dr. Khalil Mallah, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Concussion Symptoms Associated with Same-Day Head Impact Exposure in Collegiate Rugby Players

Lauren Duma, Ms.
Graduate Student
Virginia Tech

Lauren Duma, Ms. Lauren Duma, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Connecting the Spots: Applying the Void-Spot-Assay and Machine Learning To Evaluate Urinary Function and Behavior After Spinal Cord Injury

Ryan Dorrian, Dr.
Post Doctoral Researcher
Adelaide University

Ryan Dorrian, Dr. Ryan Dorrian, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Continuous, Unsupervised, Time-Lapse Miniscope Imaging Captures Microglial Pathodynamics After Closed-Head Injury

Daniel Griffiths, Mr.
Research Area Specialist
Michigan Medicine

Daniel Griffiths, Mr. Daniel Griffiths, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cortical Spreading Depolarizations Amplify Epileptic Spikes in Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Malcolm Udeozor, Mr.
MD/PhD Student
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Malcolm Udeozor, Mr. Malcolm Udeozor, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cortical Spreading Depolarizations Increase Aquaporin-4 Expression in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr.
Medical Student
University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine

Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr. Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cracking the Code of Baroreflex Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury

Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr
Associate professor
University of Missouri - Columbia

Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

DNA Methylation Changes in Response to Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura Zima, Dr.
NSGY Resident
UT Houston

Laura Zima, Dr. Laura Zima, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Data Field Matching in Traumatic Brain Injury Studies Using Micro Large Language Models

Patrick Belton, Dr.
Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Patrick Belton, Dr. Patrick Belton, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

De-Novo Post-Injury Substance Use Is Associated with Poorer 12-Month Multidimensional Outcomes After GCS 13-15 Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study

John Yue, Dr.
Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
University Of California, San Francisco

John Yue, Dr. John Yue, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Detection of Cortical Spreading Depolarizations in Traumatic Brain Injury Using Acoustic-Inspired Spectral Features in Electrocorticography

Dingyi Pei, Dr.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute

Dingyi Pei, Dr. Dingyi Pei, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Development and Implementation of a Standardized Framework for the Clinical Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults: a TRACK-TBI Study

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.
Clinical Research Supervisor
University of California, San Francisco

Christine Gotthardt, Ms. Christine Gotthardt, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Development of an AI-Driven Tool to Characterize Vascular-Related Glial Changes Following Repeated Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Jaycie Gard, Ms.
Student
University Of Kentucky

Jaycie Gard, Ms. Jaycie Gard, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Development of an Ultra-Selective DYRK1A Inhibitor as an Acute Therapeutic Strategy for Repeated Head Trauma

George Cottle, Mr
Research Associate
The Roskamp Institute

George Cottle, Mr George Cottle, Mr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Differential Neuropathology in Female versus Male Brain Donors with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury

L. Kim Chung, Dr
Neuropathology Fellow
University Of Washington

L. Kim Chung, Dr L. Kim Chung, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Diffusion Abnormalities One Year After Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Tracey Wick, Mr.
Research Analyst
Mind Research Network

Tracey Wick, Mr. Tracey Wick, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Dose-Dependent Brain Pathology Following Single And Repeated Blast Exposure in Rats

Linda Karlsson, Ms
Phd Student
Karolinska Institutet

Linda Karlsson, Ms Linda Karlsson, Ms
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Dynamics of the Pupillary Light Reflex in Collegiate Athletes After Acute Concussion

Lauren Rooks, Mrs.
PhD Student
Indiana University

Lauren Rooks, Mrs. Lauren Rooks, Mrs.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Early Field Deployment of the Abbott i-STAT Alinity TBI Whole-Blood Test in MotoAmerica

Jeffrey Shipley, Dr.
Emergency Medicine Resident
The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School

Jeffrey Shipley, Dr. Jeffrey Shipley, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Early Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes in Pediatric “Mild” Traumatic Brain Injury: A Machine Learning Approach

Upasana Nathaniel, Dr
Program Manager
Mind Research Network

Upasana Nathaniel, Dr Upasana Nathaniel, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Effect of Daily Television and Sleep with Concussion History on Academic Grades: A Youth Risk Behavior Survey Study from 2017-to-2021

Shawn Eagle, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Pittsburgh

Shawn Eagle, Dr. Shawn Eagle, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Effects of Peripheral Injury and Surgery on Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in Rats

Zachary Campbell, Mr
Medical Student
Medical College of Wisconsin

Zachary Campbell, Mr Zachary Campbell, Mr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Effects of the Probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri on Behavioral Outcomes Following Frontal TBI in Rats

Alexandra Dorinsky, Ms.
Research Technician
The Ohio State University

Alexandra Dorinsky, Ms. Alexandra Dorinsky, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Electrode Density Determines Detection Sensitivity for Cortical Spreading Depolarizations in Acute Brain Injury

Dingyi Pei, Dr.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute

Dingyi Pei, Dr. Dingyi Pei, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Elucidation of Progressive Transcriptional Regulation within Serotonin Neurons Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Hana Schwierling, Ms.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Cincinnati

Hana Schwierling, Ms. Hana Schwierling, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Emergency Department Clinician Perspectives on Giving Effective Discharge Education for Concussion from the EDucate Study

Courtney Barry, Dr
Clinical Psychologist
Medical College of Wisconsin

Courtney Barry, Dr Courtney Barry, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for Reduction of Acute Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury

Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs.
Phd Student
Rush University

Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs. Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Epidemiology of All-Terrain Vehicle Accidents in Children Younger Than 11 Years Old Seen at a Trauma Center in West Texas.

Nicolas Fandrich, Mr.
Division Chief, PCCM
Texas Tech Hsc

Nicolas Fandrich, Mr. Nicolas Fandrich, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Evoked Compound Action Potentials as a Marker of Motor Activity During Spinal Cord Stimulation in Spinal Cord Injury

Disa Sullivan, Ms
Phd Candidate
University Of Minnesota

Disa Sullivan, Ms Disa Sullivan, Ms
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

External Ventricular Drain Versus Intraparenchymal Pressure Monitor in Traumatic Brain Injury: An Updated Meta-analysis

Monique Mitchell, Dr.
Research Fellow
University of New England

Monique Mitchell, Dr. Monique Mitchell, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Functional, Sensorimotor, and Cognitive Outcomes Following Unilateral MCAO in Rats.

Johana Bastidas, Dr
Principle Scientist, Neuro Pharmacology
Psychogenics, Inc

Johana Bastidas, Dr Johana Bastidas, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

GFAP, NfL, Tau and Inflammatory Cytokines Predict Glascow Outcome Score Extended at Discharge in Moderate to Severe TBI Patients

John Alice, Mr.
Student
Johns Hopkins University

John Alice, Mr. John Alice, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Geriatric TBI Admission Institutional Practice Patterns: A TRACK-TBI Survey Study

Neel Jani, Dr.
Resident Physician
University Of Wisconsin

Neel Jani, Dr. Neel Jani, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Glutathione Treatment and the Looming and Visual Cliff Tests as Functional Assessments of Visual Performance in Mice Following Closed Head Impact Model of Engineered Rotational Acceleration (CHIMERA) Brain Injury

Elizabeth McCarthy, Dr.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Henry Jackson Foundation

Elizabeth McCarthy, Dr. Elizabeth McCarthy, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Headache Burden in Former Professional Football Players: Associations With Neurotrauma Exposure and Psychological Outcomes: An NFL-LONG Study

Samantha DeVillers, Ms.
Medical Student
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Samantha DeVillers, Ms. Samantha DeVillers, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Hunting for a Molecular Phenotype of Rod Microglia in TBI and Neurodegeneration

Karisa Louangprasert, Ms
Postbaccalaureate Research Laboratory Technician
University of Michigan - Michigan Medicine

Karisa Louangprasert, Ms Karisa Louangprasert, Ms
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

IL-1β-Containing Microglial Extracellular Vesicles Mediate Brain-Heart Communication After Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

Limin Wu, Dr
Instructor
Mgh

Limin Wu, Dr Limin Wu, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Identifying the Threshold from Mild to Moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries in Rats Using a Staircase Procedure

Cody Hubbard, Mr.
Graduate Student
Indiana University

Cody Hubbard, Mr. Cody Hubbard, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Implementation of a Microglial Replacement Procedure in a Rat Model of Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Claire Langle, Mrs
PhD Student
French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute

Claire Langle, Mrs Claire Langle, Mrs
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Inhibition of ADAM17 and Cerebrovascular Reactivity Following Exposure to Repetitive Low-Level Blast

Kapinga Ngalula, Dr.
Scientist
Nmrc/hjf

Kapinga Ngalula, Dr. Kapinga Ngalula, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Inhibition of TACE Following Repetitive Low-Level Blast Exposure Impacts Cytokine Expression and Neurodegeneration

Rachel Barkey, Dr.
Scientist
Henry Jackson Foundation

Rachel Barkey, Dr. Rachel Barkey, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Inhibition of the RNA Regulator HuR potently mitigates TBI by suppressing post-injury neuroinflammation

Mohammed Amir Husain, Dr.
Postdoc
University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Mohammed Amir Husain, Dr. Mohammed Amir Husain, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Insulin Treatment Alters Protein Expression and Actigraphy Levels after TBI

Sharon Juliano, Dr.
Professor of Neuroscience
USUHS

Sharon Juliano, Dr. Sharon Juliano, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Intranasal Administration of Retinoic Acid Nanoparticles Improves Behavioral Outcomes and Brain Pathology in Mice with Repetitive Mild TBI

Michael Gower, Dr.
Research Scientist
Columbia VA Medical Center

Michael Gower, Dr. Michael Gower, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Investigating Cellular Senescence in Serotonergic Pain Modulation Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Jacob Exline, Mr.
PhD Candidate
Loyola University Chicago

Jacob Exline, Mr. Jacob Exline, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Lesion Topography Shapes the Spatial Clustering and Propagation of Cortical Spreading Depolarizations After Acute Brain Injury

Dingyi Pei, Dr.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute

Dingyi Pei, Dr. Dingyi Pei, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Leveraging Patient Perspectives to Improve Social Needs Screening After Traumatic Injury: A Qualitative Study

Kali Palen, Mrs.
Clinical Research Assistant III
Medical College of WI

Kali Palen, Mrs. Kali Palen, Mrs.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Long-Term Effects of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury on Glial Activation and Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity

Esther Drinkard, Mrs.
Laboratory Technician
University of Kentucky

Esther Drinkard, Mrs. Esther Drinkard, Mrs.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reveals Neuroprotective Effects of Combined Hydrogen-Enriched Water and Minocycline Therapy After Traumatic Brain Injury

Eric Liu, Mr.
Research Intern
Ward Melville High School; Stony Brook University

Eric Liu, Mr. Eric Liu, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Longitudinal Pain Intensity and Interference Symptomatology in Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study Across 12-Months Post-Injury

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.
Clinical Research Supervisor
University of California, San Francisco

Christine Gotthardt, Ms. Christine Gotthardt, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Low Pressure Hydrocephalus After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case series and Literature Review

Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr.
Medical Student
University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine

Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr. Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Machine Learning Classification of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Using Actigraphy-Derived Sleep Signatures

Andrea Lugo, Ms.
Doctoral Student
University of Colorado- Boulder

Andrea Lugo, Ms. Andrea Lugo, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Metabolic Solution Compositions With Neuroprotective, Antiseizure, and Cardioprotective Properties: Prospects for Treatment of TBI and Its Long-Term Consequences

Thomas Sutula, Dr.
Emeritus
Dept. of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Thomas Sutula, Dr. Thomas Sutula, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Method-Driven Variance in Gait Coordination and Accuracy Measurements 24 Hours After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

Laura Tucker, Ms.
Professor & Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Laura Tucker, Ms. Laura Tucker, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Microbiome Driven Gut–brain Axis Dysfunction and Enteric Nervous System Remodeling in Chronic Abdominal Pain After Spinal Cord Injury

Sonali Choudhury, Mrs.
PhD candidate
University Of Kansas Medical Center

Sonali Choudhury, Mrs. Sonali Choudhury, Mrs.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Microglia Cluster Into Multicellular Nodules in White Matter Tracts Following a Closed-Head Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury in Pigs

Caela C. Long, Dr
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Pennsylvania

Caela C. Long, Dr Caela C. Long, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Microtransport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury in New York City: Injury Patterns and Admission Predictors

Sean Inzerillo, Mr.
Medical Student
SUNY Downstate College of Medicine

Sean Inzerillo, Mr. Sean Inzerillo, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Mid-life Social Relationships, TBI, and Dementia Risk

Bernadette D'Alonzo, Dr
NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow
University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine

Bernadette D'Alonzo, Dr Bernadette D'Alonzo, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Moderating Effect of the Mediterranean Diet on Traumatic Brain Injury and Depression: A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Study

Shawn Eagle, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Pittsburgh

Shawn Eagle, Dr. Shawn Eagle, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neural Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicle Therapy Improves Cellular And Functional Recovery In A Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Porcine Model

Taylor LePage, Mrs
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Georgia- Regenerative Bioscience Center

Taylor LePage, Mrs Taylor LePage, Mrs
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Male Infertility Following Spinal Cord Injury

Akram Esfandani, Dr.
Phd Student
Texas A&M University

Akram Esfandani, Dr. Akram Esfandani, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuroinflammatory and Neurovascular Injury Blood Biomarkers Associated With Hyperglycemia in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Andres Nunez, Mr.
Research Assistant
TBI Research Initiative

Andres Nunez, Mr. Andres Nunez, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuronal Circular RNA: A New Class of Non-coding RNAs Regulating Repair After TBI

Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr.
Prof. Dr.
Ulm University

Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr. Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuronal TLR4 Signaling Compromises Dentate Granule Cell Physiology After Brain Injury by Upregulating MMP-9 Activity

Deepak Subramanian, Dr
Asst. Professional Researcher
University Of California - Riverside

Deepak Subramanian, Dr Deepak Subramanian, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuronal-Induced Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Functional Recovery of Acute Spinal Cord Injury through Attenuating Neurotoxic Astrocyte Activation

Choong Hyo Kim, Dr
MD, PhD
Kangwon National University

Choong Hyo Kim, Dr Choong Hyo Kim, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Novel Haloalkylated Human 18 kDa Translocator Protein Tracers for High-Accuracy Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostics

Dhruv Subramanian, Mr.
Student researcher
The Quarry Lane School

Dhruv Subramanian, Mr. Dhruv Subramanian, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Observable Signs of Concussion in Professional Slap Fighting Using Established Video Review Protocols for Professional Sports

Corey Stewart, Mr.
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University Of Michigan

Corey Stewart, Mr. Corey Stewart, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Optogenetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Motor Rehabilitation in Rodent Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Models

Emma Moravec, Ms.
Graduate Student
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Emma Moravec, Ms. Emma Moravec, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Osmotic Transport Device Reduces Lesion Volume in a Rat Model of Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury

Victor Rodgers, Dr.
Professor
University of California

Victor Rodgers, Dr. Victor Rodgers, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

PDE2A Inhibition as a Therapeutic Strategy for Traumatic Brain Injury.

John Katana, Mr.
Research Associate
The Roskamp Institute, Inc.

John Katana, Mr. John Katana, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

PDGFRα-mTOR Signaling pathway Drives Reactive Astrocyte Proliferation and Supports Synaptic Remodeling in the Hippocampus After Traumatic Brain Injury

Lilesh Pradhan, Dr.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Indiana University School of Medicine

Lilesh Pradhan, Dr. Lilesh Pradhan, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Patterns of Spinal Fusion Utilization Following Vertebral Fractures Without Spinal Cord Injury: Insights From the National Trauma Data Bank

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.
Medical Student
Suny Downstate Health Sciences University

Jarair Tahsin, Mr. Jarair Tahsin, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Persistent Cerebellar Pathology in a Gyrencephalic Animal Following Combination Blast-CHIMERA TBI

Derrick Shaughnessy, Dr
Postdoctoral Fellow
Uniformed Services University, Health Sciences

Derrick Shaughnessy, Dr Derrick Shaughnessy, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Persistent Post-concussion Symptoms Correspond to Lasting Axonal and Oligodendrocyte Damage in Repetitive mTBI

Helena Oft, Ms
MD PhD Student
University of Pittsburgh

Helena Oft, Ms Helena Oft, Ms
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Phosphorylated Tau is Selectively Increased Around Brain Contusion

Jenny Jang, Ms.
Research Scientist
University of Washington

Jenny Jang, Ms. Jenny Jang, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Physiology-Guided Programming of Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation for Functional Restoration After Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Tara Nash, Mrs.
Research Clinician
HHRI

Tara Nash, Mrs. Tara Nash, Mrs.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Poor Local Feedback Sensitivity Drives Decision-Making Impairments After Frontal TBI in Rats

Fikir Arega, Ms.
Research Associate
The Ohio State University

Fikir Arega, Ms. Fikir Arega, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Pregnancy Specific Glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) Overexpression Primes Homeostatic Restoration and Modulates Sex-Specific Microglial Activation Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Erica Joo, Ms.
Research Assistant I
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)

Erica Joo, Ms. Erica Joo, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Pregnancy Specific Glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) Overexpression Skews Peripheral Immune Cells Towards Anti-Inflammatory Subpopulations Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Enya Caballero, Ms.
Research Assistant 1
USUHS

Enya Caballero, Ms. Enya Caballero, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Rehabilitation Differentially Restores Reaching Kinematics Across Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Models

Logan Friedrich, Mr.
Graduate Student
Marquette University

Logan Friedrich, Mr. Logan Friedrich, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Repeat Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease: Shared Calcium Dysregulation and Downstream Consequences in Mouse Models

Elise Webber, Ms.
Graduate Student
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Elise Webber, Ms. Elise Webber, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Repetitive Head Impact Exposure is Associated with a Distinct Pattern of White Matter Hyperintensities among Athletes in Early Adulthood.

Benjamin Brett, Dr.
Research Faculty/clinical Neuropsychologist
Medical College of Wisconsin

Benjamin Brett, Dr. Benjamin Brett, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Repetitive Head Impacts Drive Collagen IV Vascular Remodeling Before Tau Pathology in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms.
Anatomy & Neurobiology PhD Student
Boston University

Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms. Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Retrospective Application of the 2023 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Diagnostic Criteria for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura McGuigan, Ms.
Graduate Student
Medical College of Wisconsin

Laura McGuigan, Ms. Laura McGuigan, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Risk of Spinal Canal Neoplasm after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Propensity-Matched Cohort and Case-Control Study

Philip Ostrov, Dr.
Neurosurgery Resident
University of Louisville

Philip Ostrov, Dr. Philip Ostrov, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Rugby Head Impact Exposure Predicts Microstructural Alterations in the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus

Jessica Towns, Ms
PhD Candidate
Stanford University

Jessica Towns, Ms Jessica Towns, Ms
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Safety and Utility of Increased Spatial Sampling With Low-Profile Cylindrical Electrodes for Intracranial Electrophysiology in Severe Brain Injury

David Caldwell, Dr.
Neurosurgery Resident
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco

David Caldwell, Dr. David Caldwell, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Serum Biomarker Diagnostic and Prognostic Efficacy in Human Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Patients

Joshua Moses, Mr.
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Kentucky

Joshua Moses, Mr. Joshua Moses, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sex Chromosomes as Novel Drivers of T-Cell Phenotypes and Locomotor Recovery After SCI

Reena Kumari, Dr.
Scientist
University of Kentucky

Reena Kumari, Dr. Reena Kumari, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sildenafil Improves Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Reduces Anxiety-Like Behavior Following Repeated Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Madison Kilgore, Ms.
Graduate Research Assisstant
University of Kentucky

Madison Kilgore, Ms. Madison Kilgore, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sleep Fragmentation Exacerbates Brain-Lung Axis Dysfunction After TBI in AD-Predisposed Mice

Nadine Kerr, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Miami Miller School of Medicie

Nadine Kerr, Dr. Nadine Kerr, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sleep Quality Trajectory and Working Memory in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Comparison by Baseline PSQI Severity

Yung-Hsiao Chiang, Dr.
Superintendent
Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University

Yung-Hsiao Chiang, Dr. Yung-Hsiao Chiang, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Synthetic PreImplantation Factor Protected Against Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

Peethambaran Arun, Dr
Research Biologist
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Peethambaran Arun, Dr Peethambaran Arun, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Targeted Reconstruction of Pro-regenerative Gene Expression Programs in Adult Corticospinal Tract Neurons.

Syed Aasish Roshan, Dr.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Marquette University

Syed Aasish Roshan, Dr. Syed Aasish Roshan, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Targeting Peripheral T-cell Infiltration to Mitigate Long-Term Neurobehavioral Impairment in Pediatric Repetitive Mild TBI

Kirill Shumilov Bartenev, Dr
Senior Postdoctorall Fellow
Virginia Commonwealth University

Kirill Shumilov Bartenev, Dr Kirill Shumilov Bartenev, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Tau Isoform Expression Drives Disease Outcomes Following a Single Closed Head Injury

Riley Morrone, Dr.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Pennsylvania

Riley Morrone, Dr. Riley Morrone, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

The Effect Of Concussion And Sport Participation On Self-Reported Measures Of Brain Health: A CARE Consortium Study

Steven Broglio, Dr
Director and Assoc Dean
Michigan Concussion Center

Steven Broglio, Dr Steven Broglio, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury on the Chirality and Interactions of Neurons and Microglia During the Acute Phase Post-injury

Jie Fan, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Michigan, Dearborn

Jie Fan, Dr. Jie Fan, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

The Relationship Between Blood-Based Biomarkers and Alterations in Consciousness Following a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Mary Simons, Dr.
Post-doctoral Fellow In Pediatric Neuropsychology
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Mary Simons, Dr. Mary Simons, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

The Role of Blast-induced Hearing Loss in Driving Alzheimer's-Related Neuropathology

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.
Professor
University Of Miami

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr. Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Therapeutic Targeting of the Thrombin Receptor in Chronic SCI Promotes Functional Gains and Improvements in Lipid Metabolism

Kaleb Miles, Mr.
Graduate Student
Mayo Clinic

Kaleb Miles, Mr. Kaleb Miles, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Three-Dimensional Morphometric Analysis of Brain Capillary Mitochondria Following Repeated Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Cortney Laye, Mr.
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Kentucky

Cortney Laye, Mr. Cortney Laye, Mr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Timing of Decompressive Craniectomy and Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Monique Mitchell, Dr.
Research Fellow
University of New England

Monique Mitchell, Dr. Monique Mitchell, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Transfer times to Tertiary Admission in Children with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Implications for Six Hour Observation Guidelines

Yasmin Moghaddam, Ms.
Phd Candidate
University of California Davis

Yasmin Moghaddam, Ms. Yasmin Moghaddam, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury Biomarkers and Deficits Associated with Early Extracranial Surgery: A TRACK-TBI Study

Christopher Roberts, Dr.
Staff Physician
Clement J. Zablocki VAMC

Christopher Roberts, Dr. Christopher Roberts, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury During Pregnancy Disrupts Cortical Development, Evidenced by Differential Gene Expression and Cortical Layer Thickness in Exposed Offspring

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.
Research Assistant
University of Arizona

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs. Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury Elicits Multisystem Responses in Hemoglobinopathy: A Bulk RNA-Sequencing Analysis in Berkeley Sickle Cell Mice

Ektha Parchuri, Ms.
Medical Student
University Of Pittsburgh

Ektha Parchuri, Ms. Ektha Parchuri, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Ultrastructural Damage to the Optic Nerve and Retina Induced by a Single High-Intensity Blast Exposure in Rats

Usmah Kawoos, Dr
Scientific Director
Henry Jackson Foundation

Usmah Kawoos, Dr Usmah Kawoos, Dr
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Unique Transcriptomic Profiles of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Male Mice

Madison Wypyski, Ms.
Graduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech

Madison Wypyski, Ms. Madison Wypyski, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Using Implementation Science to Improve Discharge Education for Concussion in Emergency Departments: Health System Outcomes from the EDucate Study

Lindsay Nelson, Professor
Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin

Lindsay Nelson, Professor Lindsay Nelson, Professor
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Vascular Reductions at 60 Days Post Cortical Contusion Injury (CCI) Elicits Sex Associated Differences in BBB Leakage .

Sophia Galleguillos, Mrs.
Master's Student
University Of California, Riverside

Sophia Galleguillos, Mrs. Sophia Galleguillos, Mrs.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Vepoloxamer Preserves Cerebral Microvascular Integrity and Blood Flow After Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Yanlu Zhang, Dr.
Assistant Scientist
Henry Ford Health

Yanlu Zhang, Dr. Yanlu Zhang, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

When Endocrine and Cognitive Sequelae Overlap: Differentiating Hypopituitarism from Postconcussional Syndrome After Traumatic Brain Injury

Monique Mitchell, Dr.
Research Fellow
University of New England

Monique Mitchell, Dr. Monique Mitchell, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

When Protocols Collide: Reconciling Damage Control Resuscitation and Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Targets in Polytrauma Patients with Concurrent Traumatic Brain Injury

Wan Lin Chen, Dr.
Dr.
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital

Wan Lin Chen, Dr. Wan Lin Chen, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

White Matter Microstructural Characteristics Associated with Persistent Symptoms, Cognitive Impairment and Disability after Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study

Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr.
Associate Specialist
University of California San Francisco

Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr. Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Whole-Blood Point-of-Care Biomarkers and Head Computerized Tomography Use among Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A POINT-mTBI Study

Leila Etemad, Ms.
Medical Student
Medical College of Wisconsin

Leila Etemad, Ms. Leila Etemad, Ms.
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Why Traumatic Brain Injury Goes Undiagnosed: Diagnostic Patterns Based on Demographics, Injury Factors, and Clinical Presentation Across Seven Emergency Departments

Madeline Furie, Mx
Clinical Research Coordinator II
Medical College of Wisconsin

Madeline Furie, Mx Madeline Furie, Mx
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Assessing Kinematic Fidelity of Head Movement During a Rotational Acceleration Traumatic Brain Injury in Pigs

Susan Shin, Ms.
Student
University of Pennsylvania

Susan Shin, Ms. Susan Shin, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Newfound Axonal Pathology Phenotypes in Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Hailong Song, Dr.
Instructor of Neurosurgery
University of Pennsylvania

Hailong Song, Dr. Hailong Song, Dr.
7:30 am - 8:30 am

(SESSION)NNS Business Breakfast Meeting

8:30 am - 9:30 am

(SESSION)KN03 - From Lesion to System: Prioritizing Autonomic Circuit Repair in Spinal Cord Injury Management

From Lesion to System: Prioritizing Autonomic Circuit Repair in Spinal Cord Injury Management

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) at or above T6 causes dysautonomia, a syndrome of organ pathophysiology that significantly impairs quality of life. While research often prioritizes locomotor recovery, people with SCI frequently rank autonomic complications as a higher priority. This lecture explores how "lesion-remote" spinal remodeling—driven by spinal interneurons and microglia—causes pathological circuit assembly. These maladaptive circuits drive immune dysfunction across diverse organs and likely underlie well known clinical complications (e.g., immune dysfunction, pneumonia, impaired wound healing) and prognostic indicators (high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, dysbiosis) of poor outcome after SCI. We will discuss how targeting these maladaptive circuits, using experimental tools that may serve as indicators for the successful implementation of bioelectric medicine in humans or currently available drugs, might help prevent or mitigate the consequences of these systemic comorbidities.

8:30 am - 9:15 am

KN03.01 - From Lesion to System: Prioritizing Autonomic Circuit Repair in Spinal Cord Injury Management

Phillip Popovich, Dr.
Professor And Chair
The Ohio State University College of Medicine

Phillip Popovich, Dr. Phillip Popovich, Dr.
9:30 am - 10:30 am

(SESSION)POB - Poster Group B

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

(SESSION)PL01 - Award Winners Session

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

(SESSION)Lunch with Neurotrauma Survivors

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

(SESSION)NIH Funding Opportunities

1:45 pm - 3:00 pm

(SESSION)PL02: Latent Neurotropic Pathogens as Modifiers of Brain Injury Pathophysiology and Recovery

Session Description:

The pathophysiology of TBI is complex, and a constellation of biological and environmental influences are involved in response to and recovery from injury. There is growing appreciation that neurotropic pathogens that result in lifelong infections, such as herpesviruses and the single-cell parasite toxoplasma gondii, are associated with psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, a potential role of these common pathogens in the effects of and recovery from TBI have historically not been considered.

This session will present novel research investigating the extent to which latent neurotropic pathogens moderate pathophysiology and recovery of TBI. This session will span cutting edge preclinical and cross-disciplinary clinical research, consistent with the NNS 2026 theme and call for creative thinking and innovation.

Dr. Dana Cairns will present data demonstrating that repetitive mild injuries reactivate herpes simplex virus type 1, which in turn promotes an Alzheimer’s Disease-associated pathological phenotype in a three-dimensional in vitro brain tissue model.

Dr. Timothy Meier will present novel findings suggesting a role for cytomegalovirus seropositivity in moderating the effects of concussion on clinical measures, blood-based biomarkers, and neuroimaging metrics in a cohort of collegiate athletes and military service academy members.

Dr. Sandy Shultz will present preclinical results showing that pre-existing infection of the parasite toxoplasma gondii exacerbates the neuropathophysiological effects and associated functional deficits in a mouse model of TBI.

Finally, Dr. Gershon Spitz will present results from chronic TBI survivors (≥10 years post-injury) showing that those infected with toxoplasma gondii have worse MRI and psychiatric outcomes compared to uninfected counterparts.

1:45 pm - 1:55 pm

PL02 - Chair

Timothy Meier, Dr.
Professor
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Timothy Meier, Dr. Timothy Meier, Dr.
1:45 pm - 1:55 pm

PL02 - Chiar

Sandy Shultz, Professor
Laboratory Head
Monash University/University of Victoria

Sandy Shultz, Professor Sandy Shultz, Professor
1:55 pm - 2:10 pm

PL02.01 - Exploring the role of Herpesviruses and Concussive Injury in Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease Using a 3D Human Brain Tissue Model

Dana Cairns, Dr.
Research Associate
Tufts University

Dana Cairns, Dr. Dana Cairns, Dr.
2:10 pm - 2:25 pm

PL02.02 - Concussion goes Viral: The Moderating role of Cytomegalovirus on Clinical, Blood, and MRI Outcomes in the CARE Consortium

Timothy Meier, Dr.
Professor
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Timothy Meier, Dr. Timothy Meier, Dr.
2:25 pm - 2:40 pm

PL02.03 - Catastrophic Consequences: Infection of the Feline Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii Worsens TBI Outcomes in Mice

Sandy Shultz, Professor
Laboratory Head
Monash University/University of Victoria

Sandy Shultz, Professor Sandy Shultz, Professor
2:40 pm - 2:55 pm

PL02.04 - Toxoplasma Gondii Infection Modifies Chronic Recovery in TBI Survivors

Gershon Spitz, Dr.
Senior Research Fellow
Monash University

Gershon Spitz, Dr. Gershon Spitz, Dr.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S07 - From Damage to Defense: The Paradox of the Secondary Injury Cascade After Spinal Cord Injury

Session Description:

After a spinal cord injury (SCI), the initial mechanical trauma is only the beginning of the damage. What follows is a complex secondary injury cascade that involves a series of biochemical and cellular processes that unfold over minutes to weeks after the primary insult. This cascade includes ischemia, inflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and apoptosis, all of which contribute to progressive tissue degeneration and neuronal loss beyond the original injury site. Paradoxically, some of these same mechanisms—such as inflammation and glial activation—also play roles in tissue repair and neuroprotection, highlighting the dual nature of the secondary response. Understanding this delicate balance between destructive and reparative processes is critical for developing therapies that can minimize damage while promoting recovery after SCI. This session aims to explore the secondary response after SCI through a collaborative lens. A neurosurgeon will discuss the secondary response from a clinical perspective, while basic scientists will examine the roles of inflammation, macrophage/microglia activation states, and the astrocytic border. Finally, we will highlight some current drug delivery platforms being developed to mitigate secondary damage after SCI.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S07 - Chair

Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr.
Scientist II
Daniel Hellenbrand

Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr. Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr.
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S07.01 - Clinical Ramifications of Spinal Cord Injuries – Trauma and Beyond

Joshua Medow, Professor
Professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Biomedical Engineering
Medical College of Wisconsin / Froedtert Health

Joshua Medow, Professor Joshua Medow, Professor
4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S07.02 - The Macrophage Contribution to Secondary Injury: Cell Origin and Heterogeneity in Spinal Cord Injury Pathophysiology

John Gensel, Professor
Professor, Department of Physiology
University Of Kentucky

John Gensel, Professor John Gensel, Professor
4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S07.03 - Infections After SCI: An Additional Insult to Locomotor Recovery

Angela Filous, Dr.
Assistant Professor
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Department of Neurology; Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Oh

Angela Filous, Dr. Angela Filous, Dr.
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S07.04 - Targeted Therapeutics to Mitigate Secondary Damage After Spinal Cord Injury

Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr.
Scientist II
Daniel Hellenbrand

Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr. Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S08 - Translational Swine Models Advancing Neurotrauma Research

Session Description:

Neurotrauma, both TBI and SCI, impact millions of people annually, leading to sensory, cognitive, pathological, and molecular morbidities. While the field has learned much about TBI and SCI using rodent models, there are still no efficacious therapies that have translated to clinical use. To address this translational “valley of death”, this session will focus on the development and expansion of higher order swine models of neurotrauma to begin filling this translational void.  The swine has similar cytoarchitecture, consistent metabolic rates, compatible inflammatory systems, and analogous glial ratios to humans making swine an excellent translational model. In this session Dr. Candace Floyd will discuss her work validating neuropathic pain outcomes after SCI in swine. Dr. Michael Grovola will then discuss his work investigating proteomics, transcriptomics, and spatial characterizations of neural tissue in a swine model of TBI. Dr. Cole Vonder Haar will discuss his work developing and validating a touchscreen system for evaluating swine motor and cognitive function for neurotrauma research. Finally, Dr. Audrey Lafrenaye will discuss her work evaluating somatosensory and cognitive changes as well as microglial process convergence associated with axonal injury in a swine model of central fluid percussion injury. Together these talks will highlight the breakthroughs being made utilizing translational swine models of neurotrauma. 

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S08 - Chair

D. Kacy Cullen, Professor
Professor of Neurosurgery & Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania

D. Kacy Cullen, Professor D. Kacy Cullen, Professor
3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S08 - Chair

Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr.
Associate Professor
VCU

Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr. Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr.
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S08.01 - Validation of Neuropathic Pain Outcomes After Spinal Cord Injury Using a Pig Model

Candace Floyd, Dr.
Professor
Emory University, VA Atlanta Health Care

Candace Floyd, Dr. Candace Floyd, Dr.
4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S08.02 - Multi-omics and Spatial Biology Approaches to Characterize Pig Neural Tissue

Michael Grovola, Dr.
Senior Scientist
University of Pennsylvania

Michael Grovola, Dr. Michael Grovola, Dr.
4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S08.03 - A 20-Minute Tour: Six Swine Models — Asymptomatic to Severe, Photons to Seizures

Beth Costine-Bartell, Dr.
Assistant Professor
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Beth Costine-Bartell, Dr. Beth Costine-Bartell, Dr.
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S08.04 - Behavioral and Microglial Changes Following Diffuse Swine TBI

Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr.
Associate Professor
VCU

Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr. Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S09 - Robert Grossman Symposium on Personalized Approaches to Managing Spinal Cord Injury

Session Description:

We are only beginning to grasp the profound heterogeneity of spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery. SCI is a dynamic, evolving network of interrelated pathological processes. Its complexity—both biological and clinical—demands a shift from “one-size-fits-all” approaches to precision-guided therapies. Identifying robust biomarkers will be essential for stratifying patients into responder subgroups and tailoring individualized treatments. A deeper understanding of the anatomical basis of functional variability will further inform personalized strategies. The growing success of neuromodulation techniques—such as epidural and percutaneous stimulation —highlights the critical importance of individualized treatment planning. This symposium will explore the multifaceted heterogeneity of SCI pathophysiology and the central role of personalized care in optimizing recovery.

NASS (North American Spine Society) is a global multidisciplinary organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality evidence-based spine care. The Spinal Cord Injury Section at NASS is devoted to the scientific advancements for SCI and spine trauma management through research, teaching and collaborations.

NACTN (North American Clinical Trials Network) is a collection of academic and military centers with a mission of continually advancing the quality of care and life of people with SCI through the application of emerging treatments in the setting of clinical trials and a SCI Registry.

NASS and NACTN will collaborate with NNS and propose a session within the 2026 NNS symposium on “Personalized Approaches to Managing Spinal Cord Injury”.

For the sixth year, the symposium would be presented in honor of Dr. Robert Grossman who contributed greatly to the field of neurotrauma and spinal cord injury treatment.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S09 - Chair

Yi Lu, Dr.
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Mass General Brigham

Yi Lu, Dr. Yi Lu, Dr.
3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S09 - Chair

Michael Fehlings, Dr.
Professor
University of Toronto

Michael Fehlings, Dr. Michael Fehlings, Dr.
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S09.01 - Personalized Approaches to Managing Cord Injury

Karlo Pedro, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Toronto

Karlo Pedro, Dr. Karlo Pedro, Dr.
4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S09.02 - Anatomic Basis for the Heterogeneity of Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

Yi Lu, Dr.
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Mass General Brigham

Yi Lu, Dr. Yi Lu, Dr.
4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S09.03 - Personalized Surgical Approaches for Spinal Trauma

Daryl Fields, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Florida

Daryl Fields, Dr. Daryl Fields, Dr.
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S09.04 - Biomarkers for Spinal Cord Injury

Sophie Stukas, Dr.
Research Director
University of British Columbia

Sophie Stukas, Dr. Sophie Stukas, Dr.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S10 - PPRECISE-TBI: Leveraging Shared Data and Analytics to Improve Rigor and Reproducibility in the Assessment of Injury Severity in Animal Models

Session Description:

Over the past decade, the evaluation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has evolved beyond the traditional Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which, while essential for initial triage, fails to capture the complexity of individual injury mechanisms and patient-specific factors. A more nuanced framework—Clinical presentation, Biomarkers, Imaging, and Modifiers (CBI-M)—has emerged, integrating acute signs (e.g., GCS, loss of consciousness) with biological, radiological, and contextual data (e.g., medications, prior TBI, healthcare access). This multidimensional approach enhances clinical decision-making and trial design but introduces new challenges for preclinical research. Animal models of TBI often define injury severity by device parameters (e.g., pressure, acceleration) rather than biological response, limiting translational relevance. Bridging this gap requires a shift toward outcome-based classification in preclinical studies that mirrors the CBI-M framework. To address this, the VA, NIH, and DoD have championed the development of standardized Common Data Elements (CDEs) and the Open Data Commons for TBI (ODC-TBI), a centralized repository for harmonized datasets. These initiatives aim to improve data interoperability, enable cross-study comparisons, and identify which acute measures—biomarkers, imaging, behavioral outcomes—best predict injury severity and therapeutic response. By aligning preclinical and clinical definitions of TBI severity, we can accelerate the identification of effective interventions and improve the fidelity of bench-to-bedside translation.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S10 - Chair

Candace Floyd, Dr.
Professor
Emory University, VA Atlanta Health Care

Candace Floyd, Dr. Candace Floyd, Dr.
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S10.01 - Improving Rigor and Reproducibility by Leveraging Data Sets Across Institutions: A Case Study.

Gene Gurkoff, Professor
Professor
University of California, Davis; Dept. Neurological Surgery

Gene Gurkoff, Professor Gene Gurkoff, Professor
4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S10.02 - Leveraging Large Samples in the Open-data Commons to Create a Personalized Medicine Approach to Assessing Injury Severity in Pre-clinical Studies

Russell Huie, Dr.
Associate Professional Researcher
University of California San Francisco and SF VA

Russell Huie, Dr. Russell Huie, Dr.
4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S10.03 - Putting the M Inside Preclinical Research – Why Subject Modifiers are as Important in Pre-clinical Models as in our Patients

Pamela VandeVord, Professor
Professor
Salem VAMC

Pamela VandeVord, Professor Pamela VandeVord, Professor
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S10.04 - fergBig Data and Analytics – How Data in the Open Data Commons can Help your Lab Enter the Era of New Approach Methods (NAM)

Adam Ferguson, Dr.
Professor And Co-director Of The Brain And Spinal Injury Center (BASIC)
UCSF-BASIC

Adam Ferguson, Dr. Adam Ferguson, Dr.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S11 - Contextualizing Novel Tools and Applications of Blood-based Biomarkers and Trajectories in Post-acute and Chronic Neurotrauma Patients.

Session Description:

This symposium will focus on increasing our understanding of TBI and SCI recovery trajectories by utilizing novel technical approaches such as high multiplex proteomic platforms, capillary and dry blood samples as well as machine learning data analysis. Current clinical TBI classification, including the new classification framework (CBI-M) and regulatory approved biofluid biomarkers, focuses mainly on the acute phase of TBI. Long-term variability, secondary condition risk assessment, and differences in responsiveness to rehabilitation have made it challenging to establish effective therapeutic pathways that personalize and optimize function and recovery. Here we will present state of the art and complimentary preclinical and clinical approaches and findings in identifying key variants in post-acute chronic blood-based biomarkers associated with neurotrauma severity and morbidity, as well as recovery potential and treatment responsiveness. This session will be partially sponsored by the Chinese Neurotrauma Scholar Association (CNSA).

 

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S11 - Chair

Firas Kobaissy, Professor
Professor
Morehouse school of medicine

Firas Kobaissy, Professor Firas Kobaissy, Professor
3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S11 - Chair

Grace Griesbach, Dr.
National Director Clinical Research
Centre For Neuro Skills

Grace Griesbach, Dr. Grace Griesbach, Dr.
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S11 .01 - Studying the Biomarker Trajectory in Preclinical TBI Models; Lesson learning from the TOP-NT Consortium Project.

Kevin Wang, Professor
Executive Director of Translational and Multi-Omic Medicine
Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution (FfAME)

Kevin Wang, Professor Kevin Wang, Professor
4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S11.02 - Identifying High-Multiplex Biomarker Signature in Addressing Broader Chronic Neurotrauma Pathophysiology and Morbidity in a Real-World Clinical Setting.

Grace Griesbach, Dr.
National Director Clinical Research
Centre For Neuro Skills

Grace Griesbach, Dr. Grace Griesbach, Dr.
4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S11.03 - Biomarker Patterns and Longitudinal Trajectory Among Severe-moderate TBI Patients.

Amy Wagner, Professor
University of Pittsburgh

Amy Wagner, Professor Amy Wagner, Professor
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S11.04 - The INFORM-TBI Vision: Building a Global Framework for Biomarker Validation and Clinical Implementation.

Ramon Diaz-arrastia, Professor
Director of Clinical TBI Research Initiative
University of Pennsylvania

Ramon Diaz-arrastia, Professor Ramon Diaz-arrastia, Professor
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S12 - Neuromodulation in Neurotrauma: Novel Approaches to Enhance Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Session Description

Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents multifaceted challenges for recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term quality of life. Despite decades of research, effective therapeutic strategies remain limited. Electrical neuromodulation has recently emerged as a promising approach to enhance neuroplasticity, promote regeneration, and improve functional outcomes in individuals living with SCI. By modulating neural circuits through targeted stimulation, these techniques offer new possibilities for restoring movement, sensation, and autonomic function.
This mini symposium aims to bring together leading researchers and clinicians working across experimental and translational domains to present recent advances in electrical neuromodulation for SCI. The session will highlight innovative applications of stimulation technologies in rodent and large animal models, as well as in human clinical settings. Topics will include transcranial and spinal stimulation, development of novel bioelectronic interfaces, and strategies for bridging preclinical and clinical research.


In addition to showcasing cutting-edge science, the symposium will offer practical insights into implementing neuromodulation protocols in laboratory and rehabilitation environments. Speakers will discuss methodological considerations, challenges in device design and delivery, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. A moderated discussion will invite reflection on translational barriers and future directions in the field.


Our goal is to foster meaningful dialogue among neuroscientists, engineers, clinicians, and trainees, and to accelerate the development of neuromodulation-based interventions for SCI. By integrating perspectives across model systems and clinical practice, we hope to advance the field of neurotrauma and contribute to more effective, personalized approaches to recovery.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S12 - Chair

Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr.
Assistant Project Scientist
University of California, San Diego

Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr. Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr.
3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S12 - Chair

Carolyn Sparrey, Assoc. Professor
Simon Fraser University - Surrey Campus

Carolyn Sparrey, Assoc. Professor Carolyn Sparrey, Assoc. Professor
4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S12.02 - Insights from Non-Human Primate Studies Using Epidural Stimulation to Restore Motor Function, With Implications for Human Translation.

Nicolo Macellari, Dr.
Postdoctoral Scholar
University Of Pittsburgh

Nicolo Macellari, Dr. Nicolo Macellari, Dr.
4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S12.03 - Development of Novel Electrodes for Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation and Advances in Bioelectronic Interfaces and Electrode Technologies Designed to Improve Specificity, Durability, and Biocompatibility.

Shadi Dayeh, Prof.
University of California, San Diego

Shadi Dayeh, Prof. Shadi Dayeh, Prof.
4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S12.04 - Clinical Applications of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation, Including Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation and Paired Associative Stimulation.

Soshi Samejima, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Washington

Soshi Samejima, Dr. Soshi Samejima, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

(SESSION)Tuesday - Exhibition and Poster Reception - Poster Group B (POB)

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

A Chemically Gated Platform for Precise Control of Viral Gene Expression in the Central Nervous System

Zimei Wang, Dr.
Scientist
Marquette University

Zimei Wang, Dr. Zimei Wang, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

A Nationwide Study Exploring Factors Associated With Unplanned Intubation Following Severe Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.
Medical Student
Suny Downstate Health Sciences University

Jarair Tahsin, Mr. Jarair Tahsin, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

A Novel Molecular Strategy for Strong, Cell-Autonomous Activation of Regenerative JAK/STAT Signaling in Corticospinal Tract Neurons

Murray Blackmore, Dr.
Professor
Marquette University

Murray Blackmore, Dr. Murray Blackmore, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

A Weighted K-Nearest Neighbor Machine Learning Approach for Parcellating Brain Cortical Functional Regions in Finite Element Head Models

Haojie Mao, Dr.
Associate Professor
Western University

Haojie Mao, Dr. Haojie Mao, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Action Collaborative on Traumatic Brain Injury Care: Longitudinal Patient Characteristics From an Early Single-Center Post-Acute Clinic

Diego Martell, Mr.
Clinical Research Coordinator
University Of California, San Francisco

Diego Martell, Mr. Diego Martell, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Acute CT Findings and Their Relation to Outcome in a Large Prospective Norwegian Cohort of Patients With Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Halvor Solheim, Mr.
Medical student
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Halvor Solheim, Mr. Halvor Solheim, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Acute Changes in Circulating MicroRNAs Indicate Neuronal Stress Following Repetitive Sub-Concussive Blast: INVICTA Study

Daniela Lecca, Dr.
Scientist
Henry M Jackson Foundation

Daniela Lecca, Dr. Daniela Lecca, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Acute Imaging Strategy Patterns in Screened Emergency Department Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Justin Desprebiteres, Mr
Clinical Research Coordinator
University of Pennsylvania

Justin Desprebiteres, Mr Justin Desprebiteres, Mr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Acute Physiological Effects of Diffuse Rotational Traumatic Brain Injury in Yucatan Miniature Swine

Ahmed Altaf, Dr
Research Specialist
University Of Pennsylvania

Ahmed Altaf, Dr Ahmed Altaf, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Adult Hypertension as a Clinically-Relevant Comorbidity Augmenting Cognitive Deficits, Anxiety, and Pathological Outcomes After TBI in Pediatric and Adult Rats

Ainsley Kindred, Ms.
Postbaccalaureate Trainee
University Of Pittsburgh

Ainsley Kindred, Ms. Ainsley Kindred, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Advancing Global Data Sharing and Harmonization in TBI: Results from The International InTBIR Data Science and Harmonization Working Group

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Waterloo

Abel Torres Espin, Dr. Abel Torres Espin, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Age-Adjusted Normative Data Improves Interpretation of Serum Neurofilament Light Associations with Neurologic and Extracranial Injury After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Cheryl Wellington, Dr
Profoessor And Vice Chair Research
University Of British Columbia

Cheryl Wellington, Dr Cheryl Wellington, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Alterations in Cerebral Blood Flow Associated with White Matter Hyperintensities Following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Anna Mueller, Ms.
Research Assistent
University Of Pennsylvania

Anna Mueller, Ms. Anna Mueller, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Antagonist of Cellular Prion Protein Protects Learning and Memory in a Mouse Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr.
Medical Student
Morehouse School of Medicine

Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr. Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Association of Systemic Hospital Complications with Functional Disability After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study

Leila Etemad, Ms.
Medical Student
Medical College of Wisconsin

Leila Etemad, Ms. Leila Etemad, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Astrocytic Tau Pathology Differentiates Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury

Alicia Bea Feichtenbiner, Miss
Graduate Student
University of Southern California

Alicia Bea Feichtenbiner, Miss Alicia Bea Feichtenbiner, Miss
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Axonal Stretch Injury Induces Oma1 Activation and Disrupts Mitochondrial Dynamics

Reagan Speas, Ms.
Graduate Student
University of Michigan

Reagan Speas, Ms. Reagan Speas, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Beyond Glasgow Coma Scale: Applying the Comprehensive Brain Injury Model to Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Jai Trivedi, Mr.
Research Coordinator
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Jai Trivedi, Mr. Jai Trivedi, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Biomechanical Features of Head Impact Exposure Associated with Clinical Changes in Uninjured Contact Sport Athletes

Brian Stemper, Dr.
Biomedical Engineering
Medical College of Wisconsin

Brian Stemper, Dr. Brian Stemper, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Brain Injury & Inflammatory Biomarker Trajectory Variations in Surgical Approaches

John Fedak, Mr.
Research Assistant
University Of Pittsburgh

John Fedak, Mr. John Fedak, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

C3 and CD14 Are Structure-Specific Regulators of Acute Microglial Neuroinflammation in a Murine TBI+polytrauma Model

Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr.
Prof. Dr.
Ulm University

Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr. Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

CT-Independent Mortality Prediction After Traumatic Brain Injury Using Soft-Voting Machine Learning: A Multicenter Study

Kazuya Matsuo, DR.
Associate Proffessor / Lecturer
Kobe University Graduate School of medicine

Kazuya Matsuo, DR. Kazuya Matsuo, DR.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Cellular Prion Protein Deletion Affects Gene Expression and is Neuroprotective in a Repetitive Head Injury Model

Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr.
Medical Student
Morehouse School of Medicine

Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr. Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Cerebellar Gray Matter Volume and Associated Outcomes in Balance in Athletes with Repetitive Head Impact

Nishta Amin, Ms.
Graduate Research Fellow
Georgia State University

Nishta Amin, Ms. Nishta Amin, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Characterizing the Immune Response in SCI Treated with FPLG

Daniela Garcia Prada, Mrs.
PhD Stududent
Rush University

Daniela Garcia Prada, Mrs. Daniela Garcia Prada, Mrs.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Chronic Microvascular Disruption Is Associated With Traumatic Brain Injury

Aaron Gallagher, Dr.
Neurology Resident Physician
University Of Washington Department Of Neurology

Aaron Gallagher, Dr. Aaron Gallagher, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Chronic Pain Following Mild Concussive-like Injury: Development of a Rat Model

Eric J. Sánchez Ayala, Mr.
Student
University Of Puerto Rico At Cayey

Eric J. Sánchez Ayala, Mr. Eric J. Sánchez Ayala, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Clinical Trial of Inhaled Nitric Oxide for Treatment of Microvascular Dysfunction in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: Preliminary Report

Samuel Shin, Dr
Assistant Professor
University of Pennsylvania

Samuel Shin, Dr Samuel Shin, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Closed-Head Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury Alters the Gut Microbiome in Female Pigs

Caela C. Long, Dr
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Pennsylvania

Caela C. Long, Dr Caela C. Long, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Cluster Analysis of TBI Serum Biomarker Trajectories Identifies Critical Care Subgroups Predicting Global Outcome and Quality of Life

Tayo Obafemi-ajayi, Dr.
Faculty
Missouri State University

Tayo Obafemi-ajayi, Dr. Tayo Obafemi-ajayi, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Co-Expression of 3R and 4R Tau Increases Synaptic Density and Preserves Cognition After Closed Head Injury in Mice

Joseph Fajobi, Mr
Graduate Research Assistant
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Joseph Fajobi, Mr Joseph Fajobi, Mr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Cognitive Decline Following Mid-Life and Later-Life Traumatic Brain Injury: Evidence from the Framingham Heart Study.

Natalie Jenkins, Dr.
Post-doctoral Fellow
Icahn School Of Medicine At Mount Sinai

Natalie Jenkins, Dr. Natalie Jenkins, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Concussive Injury Modulates Neurogenesis and Circuit Function in Human Forebrain Organoids

Razieh Jaberi, Dr
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of California Riverside

Razieh Jaberi, Dr Razieh Jaberi, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Data Field Transformation for Formatting Harmonization in Traumatic Brain Injury Studies Using Micro Large Language Models

Patrick Belton, Dr.
Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Patrick Belton, Dr. Patrick Belton, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Delirium After Traumatic Brain Injury: High Prevalence, Low Recognition in Older Adults

David Castro, Mr.
Clinical Research Coordinator
University of California, San Francisco

David Castro, Mr. David Castro, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Designing and Characterizing an MRI compatible Rat Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Model

Ariell Dunkley, Ms.
Lab Technician
University Of Kentucky

Ariell Dunkley, Ms. Ariell Dunkley, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Differential Roles of Endothelial and Phagocytic MERTK in Regulating Secondary Injury After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Allison Porter, Ms.
Phd Student
East Carolina University

Allison Porter, Ms. Allison Porter, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Differentiating Concussion-Related and Organic Phenotypes of Depression in Former Collegiate Athletes: A CARE-SALTOS Integrated Study-Based Analysis

Mitchell Andersson, Dr
Postdoctoral Researcher
Medical College Of Wisconsin

Mitchell Andersson, Dr Mitchell Andersson, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Diffuse Axonal Injury Persists in the Posterior Cortex One Month Post-Injury in a Gyrencephalic Model of Blast + Rotational TBI

Oliver L'Esperance, Dr.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Henry M. Jackson Foundation

Oliver L'Esperance, Dr. Oliver L'Esperance, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Early Changes in Hippocampal Network Oscillations Predict Long-Term Seizure Burden and Cognitive Impairments across Distinct Injury Models.

Ali Izadi, Dr.
Assistant Professional Researcher
UC Davis

Ali Izadi, Dr. Ali Izadi, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Early Chronic Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Sequalae 5-10 Years Following Repetitive Neurotrauma Exposure in Collegiate Athletes and Military Cadets.

Benjamin Brett, Dr.
Research Faculty/clinical Neuropsychologist
Medical College of Wisconsin

Benjamin Brett, Dr. Benjamin Brett, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Early Insomnia Severity Is a Predictor of 12-Month Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes in GCS 14–15 Traumatic Brain Injury

Kathryn Park, Ms.
Clinical Research Coordinator
University of California, San Francisco

Kathryn Park, Ms. Kathryn Park, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Effective Cognitive Rehabilitation for Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats Is Associated With Diffusion Restriction Metrics in Limbic Regions

Corey Stewart, Mr.
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University Of Michigan

Corey Stewart, Mr. Corey Stewart, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Effects of Oxycodone Exposure after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Maykeling Arauz, Ms.
Graduate Student
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Maykeling Arauz, Ms. Maykeling Arauz, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Effects of Pre-existing Angiotensin II–Induced Hypertension on Acute TBI-Induced Neuropathology in Mice

Dominic Nthenge-Ngumbau, Dr.
Postdoctoral Scholar
University of Kentucky

Dominic Nthenge-Ngumbau, Dr. Dominic Nthenge-Ngumbau, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Elevated Intracranial Pressure Alters Astrocyte-Related Protein Expression, Localization, and Solute Clearance Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

Emily Seay, Ms.
Senior Laboratory Technician
Virginia Commonwealth University

Emily Seay, Ms. Emily Seay, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Environmental Drivers of Rod Microglia Morphology in the Brain-Injured Cortex

Jenna McCloskey, Ms.
Ph.D. Student
University of Michigan

Jenna McCloskey, Ms. Jenna McCloskey, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Examining Regionally Specified Spinal Neural Progenitor Cells and Targeted Forelimb Rehabilitation in Enhancing Recovery After Bilateral Compressive-Contusive Cervical Cord Injury

Aysu Kollu, Ms
MSc student
University of Toronto

Aysu Kollu, Ms Aysu Kollu, Ms
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Examining the Influence of Neurotrauma History and Obesity on Cerebral Blood Flow in Former NFL Players at Late Life

Alexa Hutzenbiler, Dr.
Postdoctoral Neuropsychology Fellow
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center

Alexa Hutzenbiler, Dr. Alexa Hutzenbiler, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Examining the Relationship Between Hypercapnea and ICP in Critically Ill Patients after TBI

Kenneth Fond, Mr
Software developer/analyst
UCSF Brain and Spinal Injury Center

Kenneth Fond, Mr Kenneth Fond, Mr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Factors Associated With Spinal Cord Injury Among Adults With Vertebral Fractures: A National Trauma Data Bank Analysis

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.
Medical Student
Suny Downstate Health Sciences University

Jarair Tahsin, Mr. Jarair Tahsin, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Feasibility of Implementing a Stakeholder-Developed Precision Medicine Dashboard for Post-Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: TBI-BRIDGE

Cathra Halabi, Dr.
Associate Professor of Neurology
UCSF

Cathra Halabi, Dr. Cathra Halabi, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Female Mice Exhibit Amplified Cortical Metabolic Responses Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Anastasia Georges, Mrs.
Research Specialist
University Of Pennsylvania

Anastasia Georges, Mrs. Anastasia Georges, Mrs.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

From Acute Injury to PTSD: A Translational Study on Early Biological and Cognitive Predictors in Trauma Patients

Stephen Ferrando, Dr.
Chairman, Department Of Psychiatry
Westchester Mesical Center Health Network

Stephen Ferrando, Dr. Stephen Ferrando, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Headache Burden Independently Predicts Impairment in Cognitive Performance in Persisting Post-Concussion Symptoms

Rida Ismail, Ms.
Lab Manager, Incoming Medical Student
University of California, Los Angeles

Rida Ismail, Ms. Rida Ismail, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

How Many Hit Matters? Defining the Threshold for Tau Mediated Degeneration after Repetitive Traumatic Axonal Injuries In-Vitro

Subash Bhandari, Dr.
Postdoctoral researcher
University of Pennsylvania

Subash Bhandari, Dr. Subash Bhandari, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Human Multicellular In Vitro Brain Models Reveal How Injury Severity Drives Distinct Neurodegenerative Trajectories.

Volha Liaudanskaya, Dr
Assistant Professor
University Of Cincinnati

Volha Liaudanskaya, Dr Volha Liaudanskaya, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Human iPSC-Derived Tissue Engineered Spinal Tracts Promote Axonal Extension and Integration Following Spinal Cord Injury

Justin Burrell, Dr.
Research Associate
University of Pennsylvania

Justin Burrell, Dr. Justin Burrell, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Hydrogen Inhalation Attenuates Oxidative Stress After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Yan Dong, Dr.
Research Fellow
Boston Children's Hospital

Yan Dong, Dr. Yan Dong, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

IL-1β/IL1Recptor-1 Signaling Mediates Synaptic Dysfunction and Cognitive Deficits After

Limin Wu, Dr
Instructor
Mgh

Limin Wu, Dr Limin Wu, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Identifying Motor Responders to Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury

Emily Haag, Ms
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Minnesota

Emily Haag, Ms Emily Haag, Ms
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Impaired Intraspinal Hemodynamics and Neurovascular Unit in the Chronically Injured Spinal Cord

Preeja Chandran, Dr
Postdoctoral fellow
University of Louisville

Preeja Chandran, Dr Preeja Chandran, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Implantable Flexible Head-Mounted Circuit Interface for Neural Recording and Stimulation in Freely Moving Spinal Cord–Injured Mice

Ahnsei Shon, Dr.
Research Scientist
University Of Louisville

Ahnsei Shon, Dr. Ahnsei Shon, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Implementation of a Standardized Framework to Mitigate Challenges in Imaging Repository Organization for Large Multisite Studies

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.
Clinical Research Supervisor
University of California, San Francisco

Christine Gotthardt, Ms. Christine Gotthardt, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Institutional ICU Admission Criteria in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A TRACK-TBI Survey Study

Neel Jani, Dr.
Resident Physician
University Of Wisconsin

Neel Jani, Dr. Neel Jani, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Interleukin 6–Mediated Disruption of Neuronal Adrenergic Signaling during Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Nurul Sulimai, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Nurul Sulimai, Dr. Nurul Sulimai, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Intranasal Hypocretin Reorganizes Glia-Neuron Microcircuitry After Traumatic Brain Injury

Nikolaas Steele, Mr.
Student
University of Colorado Boulder

Nikolaas Steele, Mr. Nikolaas Steele, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Investigating Neuroinflammatory Signatures of Neurobehavioral and Cognitive Impairment in Traumatic brain Injury

Joyce Opara, Dr
Fellow Neuropathology
University Of Washington

Joyce Opara, Dr Joyce Opara, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Kinematic Analysis of Closed Head Injury in Mice Using Markerless Motion Capture Reveal Contact and Inertial Effects on Functional Outcomes

Raymond Yeung, Dr.
Lab Assistant 2
University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine

Raymond Yeung, Dr. Raymond Yeung, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Liposomal Dexamethasone Delivery Reduces Neuroinflammation and Amyloid Pathology in APP/PS1 Mice Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Goknur Kara, Dr.
Research Associate
Houston Methodist Research Institute

Goknur Kara, Dr. Goknur Kara, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Lysophosphatidylcholine Drives Post-Recanalization "No-Reflow" via Pericyte Dysfunction in Ischemic Stroke

Chunyan Li, Associate Professor
Associate Professor
The Feinstein Institutes For Medical Research

Chunyan Li, Associate Professor Chunyan Li, Associate Professor
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Machine Learning Factor Analysis Reveals Injury-Induced Multi-Compartment Inflammatory Heterogeneity and Its Therapeutic Attenuation After Controlled Cortical Impact

Brock Gjesdal, Mr.
Medical Student
University Of Pittsburgh

Brock Gjesdal, Mr. Brock Gjesdal, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Microglia Turnover Modulates Behavioral Outcomes After Early Life Stress and Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Kathryn Lenz, Dr.
Associate Professor
The Ohio State University

Kathryn Lenz, Dr. Kathryn Lenz, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Modeling Blast Traumatic Brain Injury Using a Bioengineered 3D Neural Tissue Platform

Ashutosh Yende, Dr.
Scientist
HJF - Uniformed Services University

Ashutosh Yende, Dr. Ashutosh Yende, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Modeling CTE-Associated Pathological Features: A Human 3D In Vitro Triculture System for Mild Repetitive Injury.

Sunghyun Jun, Dr.
Postdoctoral Fellow
USUHS

Sunghyun Jun, Dr. Sunghyun Jun, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Modeling Central Nervous System Polytrauma: Development of a Rodent Model of Concomitant Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury

Shannon Kafura, Ms
Graduate student
Medical College of WI

Shannon Kafura, Ms Shannon Kafura, Ms
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Multi-Omics Identify Unique Protein Signature of Repeated Traumatic Brain Injury in Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid

Sarah Svirsky, Dr.
Postdoctoral Scholar
University Of Pittsburgh

Sarah Svirsky, Dr. Sarah Svirsky, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Multi-scale High-Definition Fiber Tractography Reveals Persistent Corpus Callosum Network Disruptions in Pre-clinical and Clinical Mild TBI.

Eleni Moschonas, Dr.
Post-doctoral Fellow
University Of Pittsburgh

Eleni Moschonas, Dr. Eleni Moschonas, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Multiomic miRNA–Proteomic Profiling Identifies Biomarkers of Neurological Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury

Katie Edwards, Dr.
Research Associate
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

Katie Edwards, Dr. Katie Edwards, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Multisensory 40 Hz Gamma Stimulation Modulates Glymphatic Transport Recovery Following TBI

Daniel Zhang, Mr.
Graduate Research Assistant
Georgia Institute of Technology

Daniel Zhang, Mr. Daniel Zhang, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neurobehavioral and Electrophysiological Markers of Cognitive Control During Neuromodulation After Traumatic Brain Injury: Interim Results From the SMART Study

David Darrow, Dr.
Neurosurgeon
University of Minnesota/Hennepin Healthcare

David Darrow, Dr. David Darrow, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neuroimmune Modulation of Sleep After Traumatic Brain Injury: Effects of Microglial Depletion and Repopulation

Gabriel Nah, Dr.
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Colorado

Gabriel Nah, Dr. Gabriel Nah, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neurological Blood-Based Biomarkers of Chronic Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence Caused Brain Injury – Preliminary Study

Mohammad Ghodsi, Mr.
Graduate Student
University of British Columbia

Mohammad Ghodsi, Mr. Mohammad Ghodsi, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neuronal LRP1 Deletion Mitigates Lipid-Peroxidation Driven Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Preserves Metabolic Flexibility in TBI

Velmurugan Gopal Viswanathan, Dr
Assistant Professor
University Of Kentucky

Velmurugan Gopal Viswanathan, Dr Velmurugan Gopal Viswanathan, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neuronal LRP1 Regulates TBI-Induced TNFR1 Translocation, Activity and Amyloidosis

Michelle Taylor, Ms.
Graduate Student
Virginia Commonwealth University

Michelle Taylor, Ms. Michelle Taylor, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neuronal p38α Knockout Protects Against Neurological Consequences Following Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Levi Wood, Dr.
Associate Professor
Georgia Institute Of Technology

Levi Wood, Dr. Levi Wood, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Older Veterans Presenting to a VA Emergency Department versus Patients Presenting to Trauma Centers with Acute Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Mikaila Cutone-Dion, Ms.
Clinical Research Coordinator
University of California San Francisco

Mikaila Cutone-Dion, Ms. Mikaila Cutone-Dion, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Optical Characterization of Cerebral Pulsatility During Postural Intracranial Pressure Changes: A Feasibility Study

Farah Kamar, Ms.
MD/PhD Student
Western University

Farah Kamar, Ms. Farah Kamar, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Phenotypes and Clustering Patterns of Infiltrating B Cells after Contusive Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

Alyssa Franklin, Ms.
Graduate Research Assistant
University Of Kentucky

Alyssa Franklin, Ms. Alyssa Franklin, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Photobiomodulation Therapy Promotes Recovery of Cortical Functioning During Cognitive Performance in Patients With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Feasibility Study

Hope Nyarady, Miss.
Graduate Student Research Assistant
University At Buffalo

Hope Nyarady, Miss. Hope Nyarady, Miss.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Phrenic Afferent Activity After C2 Hemisection and Diaphragm Pacing

Felix Sanchez, Mr.
Graduate Assistant
Marquette University

Felix Sanchez, Mr. Felix Sanchez, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Phrenic Proprioceptor Activation Induces Plasticity and Is Associated With c-Fos Activation Within the Phrenic Motor Nucleus

Haylee Hulihee, Ms.
Laboratory Technician
Marquette University

Haylee Hulihee, Ms. Haylee Hulihee, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Post-TBI Sensitivity of the Auditory and Vestibular Systems to Intense Noise Exposure

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.
Professor
University Of Miami

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr. Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Predictors of Patient Satisfaction with Emergency Department Care Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Survey-Based Study

Temitayo Okusanya, Ms.,
Doctoral Candidate
Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI

Temitayo Okusanya, Ms., Temitayo Okusanya, Ms.,
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Prefrontal Cortex Injury Drives Neuroinflammation in the Nucleus Accumbens while Microglial Turnover Worsens Injury-driven Impulsivity

Erskine Chu, Dr.
Post-doctoral Fellow
The Ohio State University

Erskine Chu, Dr. Erskine Chu, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Protein Panels and Pathways Related to Persisting Post-Concussion Symptom Domains in Adolescents

Arum Lim, Dr.
Post-doctoral Researcher
Johns Hopkins University

Arum Lim, Dr. Arum Lim, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Putting a Damper on TBI: Identifying Injury-Derived Progressive Transcriptional Regulation Occurring within Midbrain Inhibitory GABAergic Neuron Populations

Kathleen Specht, Ms.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Cincinnati

Kathleen Specht, Ms. Kathleen Specht, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Reliability of Self-Reported Traumatic Brain Injury Over 25 Years

Sabrina Abbruzzese, Ms.
Data Analyst
University of Pennsylvania

Sabrina Abbruzzese, Ms. Sabrina Abbruzzese, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Reorganization of Intrinsic Neural Oscillations Underlies Symptom Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury: Evidence from Neurodynamic Modeling of the TRACK-TBI Cohort

Taotao Wu, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Georgia

Taotao Wu, Dr. Taotao Wu, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Role of Neuronal CCR5 in Spinal Cord Injury

Emma Augustine, Ms.
Graduate Student
Medical College of Wisconsin

Emma Augustine, Ms. Emma Augustine, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Schwann Cell Growth Properties in Collagen Mesh Implant for Cauda Equina Repair

Kirsten Krick, Ms.
Medical Student
Upstate Medical University

Kirsten Krick, Ms. Kirsten Krick, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Selective Alteration of Astrocytes in Post-Traumatic Epilepsy

Samuel Husarik, Mr.
Research Assistant
University Of Washington

Samuel Husarik, Mr. Samuel Husarik, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Severe High-Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury Disrupts Acute Autonomic Function: Cardiovascular, Temperature, and Activity Implications

Sajeev Kaur, Dr.
Post Doctoral Fellow
University of Kentucky

Sajeev Kaur, Dr. Sajeev Kaur, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex Differences in Stress-Primed Responses to Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury Reveal Distinct Molecular Injury Signatures

Pamela VandeVord, Professor
Professor
Salem VAMC

Pamela VandeVord, Professor Pamela VandeVord, Professor
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex- and Stress-Dependent Relationships With NOP Receptor Modulation on Cerebral Blood Flow and Neurotrophin Signaling After Traumatic Brain Injury

Panini Patankar, Dr
Graduate Research Assistant
Oklahoma University Health Science Center

Panini Patankar, Dr Panini Patankar, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex-Differences in Microglial Neuronal Interaction after TBI

Karinn Sytsma, Ms.
Research Scientist
University of Washington

Karinn Sytsma, Ms. Karinn Sytsma, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex-Specific Glial Remodeling and Sleep Fragmentation Disrupt Growth Hormone Signaling After Juvenile Traumatic Brain Injury

Joseph Muckle, Mr
Masters Student
University Of Colorado Boulder

Joseph Muckle, Mr Joseph Muckle, Mr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex-Specific Neuroimmune Responses to TBI Following Inhibition of MIF/CD74 Signaling in Mice

Alexis McAlister, Ms.
Graduate Student
Texas A&M University

Alexis McAlister, Ms. Alexis McAlister, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sexual Arousal Measurement in Women with Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study Using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging

Elizabeth Bottorff, Dr.
Postdoc Fellow
University of Minnesota

Elizabeth Bottorff, Dr. Elizabeth Bottorff, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sleep Deprivation After Traumatic Brain Injury Reveals Selective Hypothalamic Inflammatory Signaling

François Labadie, Mr.
Undergraduate student
University of Colorado

François Labadie, Mr. François Labadie, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Synergistic Effects of Nicotine and Oral Contraceptive Exposure on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in Female Rats.

Ami Raval, Dr
Research Professor
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Ami Raval, Dr Ami Raval, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

TBI-Induced solTNF/TNFR1 Activity Promotes Amyloid Beta Generation and Neurological Deficits, without Impacting Microglial Phagocytosis of Amyloid Beta

Kirsty Dixon, Dr.
Associate Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University

Kirsty Dixon, Dr. Kirsty Dixon, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Targeting Microbial Poly-N-acetylglucosamine Reduces Neuroinflammation and Improves Neurological Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Hongmei Yang, Dr.
Research Fellow
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Hongmei Yang, Dr. Hongmei Yang, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

The COVID Effect: National Changes in Neurotrauma Injury Patterns, Imaging, and Resource Utilization in U.S. Emergency Departments

Azeez Abdul, Mr.
Medical Student
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso

Azeez Abdul, Mr. Azeez Abdul, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

The Prevalence of Multiple Concussions in Professional Football Players: A Scoping Review

Ryan Luke Sodemann, Mr.
Research Assistant
Boston Children's Hospital

Ryan Luke Sodemann, Mr. Ryan Luke Sodemann, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

The Renin–Angiotensin System Mediates Vascular Remodeling Following Spinal Cord Injury

Christopher Foote, Dr.
Asst. Research Prof.
University of Missouri

Christopher Foote, Dr. Christopher Foote, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

The Unprotected Epidemic: Escalating Incidence and Clinical Severity of E-Scooter Related Traumatic Brain Injury

Katarina Cook, Ms
MD/PhD Student
School of Medicine, University of California, Davis

Katarina Cook, Ms Katarina Cook, Ms
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Time-Dependent Alterations in HPA Axis Regulation Following Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

Theresa Currier Thomas, Dr
Associate Professor
University of South Florida

Theresa Currier Thomas, Dr Theresa Currier Thomas, Dr
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Toward Clinical Implementation of Blood Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury: Analytical Harmonization and Reference Standard Development in the INFORM-TBI Consortium

Ava Puccio, Dr.
Co-director Neurotrauma Cliniacl Trials Center
University Of Pittsburgh, Department Of Neurosurgery

Ava Puccio, Dr. Ava Puccio, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Transcranial Neuromodulation for Epileptogenesis Prevention in the Sleep-Disrupted Injured Brain

Md Adil Arman, Mr.
Phd Student
Florida International University

Md Adil Arman, Mr. Md Adil Arman, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Transcriptional Profiling and Immunohistological Assessments of Thalamic Glia During the Subacute Phase of Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury in Swine

Radina Lilova, Ms.
Graduate Student
Virginia Commonwealth University

Radina Lilova, Ms. Radina Lilova, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Transcriptional Profiling of Spinal Cord Macrophages Following Treatment with LPS-MSC-Derived Nanovesicles

Gabriela Brown, Ms.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Kentucky

Gabriela Brown, Ms. Gabriela Brown, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Translational Trauma Model Defines Dose-Response, Repair Mechanisms, and Biomarkers of Adenosine Receptor Agonist AST-004 in Human Astrocytes

Ina B. Wanner, Dr.
Associate Research Neuroscientist
UCLA, Geffen Sch Medicine, Semel Institute, IDDRC

Ina B. Wanner, Dr. Ina B. Wanner, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury During Pregnancy Risks Synapse Loss and Early Communication Behavior in Exposed Offspring

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.
Research Assistant
University of Arizona

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs. Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury Results in Severely Disrupted axons in the Cerebellar Cortex

Sharon Juliano, Dr.
Professor of Neuroscience
USUHS

Sharon Juliano, Dr. Sharon Juliano, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury and HSV-1 Infection Interact To Alter Post-Injury Sleep Architecture in Mice

Alyson R. Stewart, Ms.
Phd Student
University Of Colorado

Alyson R. Stewart, Ms. Alyson R. Stewart, Ms.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury and Sleep Disruption Converge To Promote Alzheimer’s-Related Protein Pathology

Matias Mendez, Mr.
Graduate student research assistant
University of Colorado Boulder

Matias Mendez, Mr. Matias Mendez, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

UCHL1 Mutations Protect Against Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Impulsive-Like Behaviors and Neuropathic Pain

Dakota Robison, Mr.
Graduate Student
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Dakota Robison, Mr. Dakota Robison, Mr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Usage of AI for PubMed Analysis in Preclinical Traumatic Brain Injury Abstracts

C. Edward Dixon, Dr.
Neurotrauma Chair
University Of Pittsburgh

C. Edward Dixon, Dr. C. Edward Dixon, Dr.
5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

“It’s Not Free to Pee.” – Development of NOVO-120 for the Treatment of Bladder and Sensory-Motor Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury in Male and Female Rats.

Michael Kyweriga, Dr.
Scientist II
Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center

Michael Kyweriga, Dr. Michael Kyweriga, Dr.
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

(SESSION)Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony

8:00 am - 9:30 am

(SESSION)PL03: Harnessing Sensory Afferents to Restore Function After Spinal Cord Injury: From Breathing to Bladder and Beyond

Session Description:

Restoration of function after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major goal in spinal cord injury research. A growing body of evidence highlights the powerful role of sensory afferents in driving neuroplasticity and promoting functional recovery. This symposium will bring together a diverse panel of investigators who are advancing our understanding of how targeted activation of sensory afferents can be leveraged to restore critical physiological and motor functions including breathing, locomotion, and bladder control following SCI.


Dr. Paloma Bittencourt-Silva will discuss recent work demonstrating that phrenic nerve and diaphragm stimulation can engage sensory afferents to enhance respiratory motor output and improve breathing after cervical SCI. Dr. Erica Dale will highlight how epidural spinal stimulation can recruit afferent pathways to promote respiratory plasticity and function. Extending beyond breathing, Dr. Aaron Mickle will present findings on how selective activation of afferents can improve bladder control and autonomic function after SCI. Finally, Dr. Andrew Spence will discuss how afferent stimulation strategies can facilitate locomotor recovery through modulation of spinal networks.


Together, these talks will showcase converging evidence that sensory afferent activation represents a powerful and underutilized therapeutic target to promote recovery across multiple systems. The session will stimulate discussion on mechanistic underpinnings, translational challenges, and future directions for afferent-targeted interventions to improve quality of life after SCI.

8:00 am - 8:10 am

PL03 - Chair

Felix Sanchez, Mr.
Graduate Assistant
Marquette University

Felix Sanchez, Mr. Felix Sanchez, Mr.
8:00 am - 8:10 am

PL03 - Chair

Kristi Streeter, Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Marquette University

Kristi Streeter, Assistant Professor Kristi Streeter, Assistant Professor
8:10 am - 8:30 am

PL03.01 - Activating Phrenic Afferents to Enhance Respiratory Recovery after Cervical SCI

Paloma Bittencourt-Silva, Dr.
Postdoc
Marquette University

Paloma Bittencourt-Silva, Dr. Paloma Bittencourt-Silva, Dr.
8:30 am - 8:50 am

PL03.02 - Afferent Contributions to Epidural Stimulation-induced Respiratory Neuroplasticity

Erica Dale, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Florida

Erica Dale, Dr. Erica Dale, Dr.
8:50 am - 9:10 am

PL03.03 - Targeted Neuromodulation of Sensory Neurons for Improvement of the Lower Urinary Tract Function Following SCI

Aaron Mickle, Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin

Aaron Mickle, Associate Professor Aaron Mickle, Associate Professor
9:10 am - 9:30 am

PL03.04 - Chemogenetic Afferent stimulation with Treadmill Training to Promote Plasticity and Locomotor Function after SCI

Andrew Spence, Professor
Professor Of Neuroengineering
Temple University

Andrew Spence, Professor Andrew Spence, Professor
9:30 am - 10:00 am

(SESSION)PG02 - Poster Group B I Day 2

10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S13 - Vascular Responses to Neurotrauma

Session Description:

The neurovascular system plays a critical role in both the acute and chronic responses to brain and spinal cord injury. This session will explore how trauma disrupts vascular integrity, alters cerebral blood flow, and contributes to secondary injury cascades that shape long-term outcomes. Presentations will integrate clinical and preclinical perspectives to highlight how structural and functional imaging, histopathological assessment, and biomarker studies reveal key features of vascular and blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction after neurotrauma.


Speakers will discuss advances in neuroimaging approaches to visualize vascular injury in vivo, including high-resolution MRI and advanced ultrasound imaging techniques that capture brain and spinal cord blood flow as well as microvascular hemodynamics. Pathological analyses will detail cellular and molecular changes in the vasculature - ranging from endothelial damage and pericyte loss to inflammatory, metabolic, and mitochondrial contributions to vascular dysfunction.


By bridging translational research across traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI), this session aims to identify common mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities that target vascular dysfunction and enable neuroprotection. Attendees will gain a comprehensive view of how vascular pathology influences neural recovery and how emerging tools can be leveraged to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention strategies after neurotrauma.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S13 - Chair

Brad Hubbard, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky

Brad Hubbard, Dr. Brad Hubbard, Dr.
10:00 am - 10:10 am

S13 - Chair

Zin Khaing, Dr.
Associate professor
University of Louisville

Zin Khaing, Dr. Zin Khaing, Dr.
10:10 am - 10:30 am

S13.01 - Vascular and BBB Pathology After SCI

Zin Khaing, Dr.
Associate professor
University of Louisville

Zin Khaing, Dr. Zin Khaing, Dr.
10:30 am - 10:50 am

S13.02 - Mitochondrial-related Vascular Changes After Blast TBI

Brad Hubbard, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky

Brad Hubbard, Dr. Brad Hubbard, Dr.
10:50 am - 11:10 am

S13.03 - Clinical Biomarkers and Perivascular Changes After TBI

Danielle Sandsmark, Dr.
Associate Professor Of Neurology
University Of Pennsylvania

Danielle Sandsmark, Dr. Danielle Sandsmark, Dr.
11:00 am - 11:30 am

S13.04 - MRI-based Perfusion Imaging in Neurotrauma

Matthew Budde, Dr.
Associate Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin

Matthew Budde, Dr. Matthew Budde, Dr.
10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S14 - Understanding White Matter Dynamics Linking Mild TBI and Psychiatric Burden: Insights from Advanced Neuroimaging and Therapeutic Development

Session Description

Damage to and degeneration of white matter are particularly consequential, given its critical role in communication between brain regions. Emerging evidence suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychiatric burden are linked to white matter damage through overlapping yet distinct biological processes. However, how these processes differ, evolve over time, and relate to functional outcomes remains unclear, as few in-vivo imaging methods can independently detect these subtle changes.

This session features an integrated framework of cross-sectional and longitudinal neuroimaging approaches to assess white matter microstructural brain health. Spanning clinical cohorts, MRI modalities, and preclinical models, this collaborative platform highlights how white matter disruption evolves over time, contributes to functional and clinical outcomes, and informs therapeutic development. The first presentation will introduce the biological interpretability of longitudinal white matter microstructural changes following concussion in a juvenile rodent model. The second will transition to human clinical mTBI, presenting longitudinal data from the TRACK-TBI study and emphasizing “what the injury brings to the brain, and what the brain brings to the injury.” The third will build on this framework by examining TBI-related changes in white matter integrity in a longitudinal cohort of trauma survivors. The fourth will extend these concepts to Veterans, presenting longitudinal evidence of tissue contrast changes, with trajectories varying by neurotrauma history and demonstrating accelerated age-related decline in the presence of psychiatric conditions. The final presentation will return to a preclinical perspective, highlighting potential white matter-related therapeutic targets and reinforcing the translational relevance of these findings.

Across these datasets, regionally specific alterations provide converging evidence of neural vulnerability across injury mechanisms, psychiatric burden, and aging. These presentations underscore the translational potential of harmonized, cross-cohort imaging approaches to link white matter characteristics with functional outcomes and therapeutic insight.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S14 - Chair

Megan Huibregtse, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign

Megan Huibregtse, Dr. Megan Huibregtse, Dr.
10:00 am - 10:10 am

S14 - Chair

Madeleine Nowak, Dr.
Postdoc Fellow
VA Boston

Madeleine Nowak, Dr. Madeleine Nowak, Dr.
10:10 am - 10:25 am

S14.01 - Lifespan Diffusion MRI Monitoring of White Matter in a Juvenile Mouse Model of Concussion

Andre Obenaus, Dr.
Dr.
University of California Riverside

Andre Obenaus, Dr. Andre Obenaus, Dr.
10:25 am - 10:40 am

S14.02 - White Matter Changes in Patients from the TRACK-TBI Study: What the Injury Brings to the Brain, and What the Brain Brings to the Injury

Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr.
Associate Specialist
University of California San Francisco

Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr. Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr.
10:40 am - 10:55 am

S14.03 - Trauma-related Changes in Diffusion Metrics Across Post-traumatic Recovery and Associations with Symptoms Over Time: Findings from the AURORA Study

Megan Huibregtse, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign

Megan Huibregtse, Dr. Megan Huibregtse, Dr.
10:55 am - 11:10 am

S14.04 - Longitudinal Trajectories of Cortical Interface and White Matter Health in Veterans with mTBI and Psychiatric Disorders

Madeleine Nowak, Dr.
Postdoc Fellow
VA Boston

Madeleine Nowak, Dr. Madeleine Nowak, Dr.
11:10 am - 11:25 am

S14.05 - Acute Treatment for Axon Damage and White Matter Degeneration in Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Regina Armstrong, Dr.
Dept Chair
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Regina Armstrong, Dr. Regina Armstrong, Dr.
10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S15 - Bridging Circuit-Behavior Dysfunction in Preclinical TBI with Advanced Brain Recording Methods

Session Description:

Modern neuroscience emphasizes neural circuits. Historically, preclinical TBI has focused on the location of injury and pathology as well as the specific type or model of injury. However, understanding precisely how injury affects interconnected circuits as well as how adaptation during recovery alters the function of these circuits will be critical to developing meaningful treatments. Measurements of circuit function require appropriate targeted behavioral measurements to enable the use of this high-resolution data. The current session will describe advances in these areas to enable circuit-focused and translational models of preclinical TBI.


Miranda Koloski (University of California-San Diego, confirmed) will present results from multi-site electrode arrays to better understand impaired behavioral flexibility after injury. Neil Harris (University of California-Los Angeles, confirmed) will describe the use of functional ultrasound imaging to capture brain-wide dynamics after concussion during a head-fixed discrimination task. Cole Vonder Haar (Ohio State University, confirmed) will show behavioral and on-task fiber photometry data that identifies the nucleus accumbens as a locus of reward-learning deficits. John Wolf (University of Pennsylvania, confirmed) will present high-density electrophysiology data from awake, behaving rats and pigs following TBI.

At the conclusion of this session, attendees will have a better understanding of how modern methods for brain recording can be applied to questions of circuit dysfunction after TBI.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S15 - Chair

Cole Vonder Haar, Dr.
Associate Professor
Ohio State University

Cole Vonder Haar, Dr. Cole Vonder Haar, Dr.
10:00 am - 10:10 am

S15 - Chair

Lindsay Nelson, Professor
Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin

Lindsay Nelson, Professor Lindsay Nelson, Professor
10:10 am - 10:30 am

S15.01 - Examining Disrupted Structure and Network Function in Cortico-striatal Circuits After TBI

Miranda Koloski, Dr.
Assistant Professor
VA San Diego

Miranda Koloski, Dr. Miranda Koloski, Dr.
10:30 am - 10:50 am

S15.02 - Capturing Simultaneous Behavior and Circuit Dysfunction During and After Repeat Concussion in the Mouse with Functional Ultrasound

Neil Harris, Professor
Professor
UCLA and LA VA

Neil Harris, Professor Neil Harris, Professor
10:50 am - 11:10 am

S15.03 -Real-time Calcium Activity Reveals Nucleus Accumbens Dysfunction After Frontal Injury   

Cole Vonder Haar, Dr.
Associate Professor
Ohio State University

Cole Vonder Haar, Dr. Cole Vonder Haar, Dr.
11:00 am - 11:30 am

S15.04 - Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Limbic Circuit Dysfunction following TBI: High-Density Electrophysiology During Motivated Behavior in Rats and Pigs

John Wolf, Dr.
Assoc. Professor
University of Pennsylvania

John Wolf, Dr. John Wolf, Dr.
10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S16 - Unraveling Sleep and Circadian Pathways in Neurotrauma

Session Description

Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances are nearly universal after brain injury, yet their role in neural repair and recovery remains underrecognized. Beyond contributing to fatigue and cognitive slowing, disrupted sleep actively influences neural circuit function, neuroinflammation, and immune regulation; key processes that govern both early outcomes and long-term recovery.

Organized by trainees from underrepresented backgrounds, this trainee-led symposium integrates mechanistic and translational perspectives to examine how sleep and circadian biology can be leveraged to promote recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Emerging evidence demonstrates that improving sleep quality, timing, and structure can directly influence these mechanisms, positioning sleep as a promising therapeutic target. Experimental studies using non-invasive modulation of cortical excitability reveal how repetitive brain injury alters sleep-dependent network dynamics, while advanced actigraphy now enables precise assessment of sleep fragmentation and circadian misalignment across species. Clinically, poor sleep is an independent predictor of persistent post-concussion symptoms and may exacerbate stress-related immune responses, including viral reactivation.

Alyson Stewart will discuss sleep disruption–induced reactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 after TBI. Ian Díaz Nieves will examine MCH neuron dysfunction in the lateral hypothalamus following mild TBI. Rebecca Boland will describe microglial contributions to the neuroimmune environment under combined TBI and sleep fragmentation. Nija White will present how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation influences sleep efficiency and astrogliosis via adenosine metabolism. Rida Ismail will highlight the clinical impact of poor sleep on persistent post-concussion syndrome. A concluding panel will bridge laboratory insights with translational and clinical applications.

10:10 am - 10:25 am

S16.01 - Sleep Disruption as a Driver of HSV-1 Reactivation After Traumatic Brain Injury

Alyson R. Stewart, Ms.
Phd Student
University Of Colorado

Alyson R. Stewart, Ms. Alyson R. Stewart, Ms.
10:25 am - 10:40 am

S16.02 - Understanding the Contribution of Hypothalamic MCH Neurons in Sleep Disruptions After mild TBI 

Ian Diaz Nieves, Mr.
PhD Candidate
University of Pennsylvania

Ian Diaz Nieves, Mr. Ian Diaz Nieves, Mr.
10:40 am - 10:55 am

S16.03 - Defining Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury with Sleep Fragmentation

Rebecca Boland, Ms.
Graduate Research Associate
Ohio State University

Rebecca Boland, Ms. Rebecca Boland, Ms.
10:55 am - 11:10 am

S16.04 - Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Sleep and Astrogliosis Following Repetitive Traumatic Brain Injury

Nija White, Ms.
Phd Candidate
Florida International University

Nija White, Ms. Nija White, Ms.
11:10 am - 11:25 am

S16.05 - Integrating Sleep Metrics and Neuromodulation to Predict Recovery after Concussion

Rida Ismail, Ms.
Lab Manager, Incoming Medical Student
University of California, Los Angeles

Rida Ismail, Ms. Rida Ismail, Ms.
12:00 am - 12:00 am

S16 - Chair

Andrea Lugo, Ms.
Doctoral Student
University of Colorado- Boulder

Andrea Lugo, Ms. Andrea Lugo, Ms.
12:00 am - 12:00 am

S16 - Chair

Gabriel Nah, Dr.
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Colorado

Gabriel Nah, Dr. Gabriel Nah, Dr.
10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S17 - Emerging Roles for Inflammation in Neurotrauma

Session Description

Neurotrauma is accompanied by complex neuro-immune interactions that substantially contribute to long-term outcomes. However, nonspecific anti-inflammatory therapies fail to improve recovery following neurotrauma and can even worsen functional recovery and morbidity. Thus, a better understanding of the damaging and reparative functions of inflammation is necessary for advancing immune-focused therapies. In this session, we will present novel findings on the critical roles of central and peripheral immunity in spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dr. Angela Filous will discuss the mechanisms for SCI-induced immune depression syndrome and how it worsens neurological outcomes, using a clinically relevant mouse model of acquired pneumonia after SCI. Dr. Olga Kokiko-Cochran will present on the neuroimmune responses to the loss of glucocorticoid receptor on microglia after lateral fluid percussion injury in mice. Dr. Andrew Gaudet will describe his recent findings that reveal how targeting the circadian system benefits microglia and macrophage responses and neurologic recovery after SCI. Dr. Dylan McCreedy, the session chair, will discuss how early innate immune cells can promote long-term recovery after SCI in a sex-dependent manner. Collectively, this session will highlight the current state of knowledge on the complex consequences of inflammation in neurotrauma to inform the next generation of neuroprotective and regenerative strategies for SCI and TBI.

10:10 am - 10:30 am

S17.01 - Skull Bone Marrow-derived Cells in TBI

Michelle Theus, Professor
Professor
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine Virginia Talk

Michelle Theus, Professor Michelle Theus, Professor
10:30 am - 10:50 am

S17.02 - Defining the Role of Microglia Glucocorticoid Receptor in Outcome After Brain Injury

Olga Kokiko-Cochran, Dr.
Associate Professor
The Ohio State University

Olga Kokiko-Cochran, Dr. Olga Kokiko-Cochran, Dr.
10:50 am - 11:10 am

S17.03 - Circadian Control of Neuroprotection After Spinal Cord Injury

Andrew Gaudet, Dr.
Associate Professor
University of Texas at Austin

Andrew Gaudet, Dr. Andrew Gaudet, Dr.
11:00 am - 11:30 am

S17.04 - Neutrophils Promote Resolution of Inflammation and Functional Recovery After Spinal cord Injury

Dylan McCreedy, Dr.
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University

Dylan McCreedy, Dr. Dylan McCreedy, Dr.
12:00 am - 12:00 am

S17 - Chair

Dylan McCreedy, Dr.
Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University

Dylan McCreedy, Dr. Dylan McCreedy, Dr.
10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S18 - Caring for the Whole Community: Considerations of Patient Demographics in Neurotrauma

Session Description

Advances in neurotrauma research and clinical care have significantly improved outcomes for many individuals affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). However, measurable differences in access to treatment, participation in research, and long-term recovery outcomes remain across these patient populations and care settings. These variations may reflect differences in socioeconomic factors, healthcare infrastructure, geographic location, and system-level access to specialized neurotrauma services and rehabilitation options.

This session will bring together neurotrauma experts across both basic science and translational research and clinical care to examine factors contributing to variable outcomes across both the TBI and SCI patient populations. Presenters will address patterns in neurotrauma research participation and clinical care delivery, with emphasis on populations who are more at risk for poor outcomes, injury management, optimizing treatment and rehabilitation access, and recovery pathways for both TBI and SCI patients. This session will also highlight current limitations to the existing research that hinder a comprehensive understanding of outcome variability. Collectively, these perspectives will highlight opportunities to improve outcomes for all individuals affected by TBI and SCI through more comprehensive data, broader research participation, and equitable access to high-quality care.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S18 - Chair

Amanda Glueck, Dr.
Associate Professor
University of Kentucky

Amanda Glueck, Dr. Amanda Glueck, Dr.
10:00 am - 10:10 am

S18 - Chair

Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr.
Professor
Drexel University

Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr. Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr.
10:10 am - 10:30 am

S18.01 - Historical Lessons from the Professional Football: Neurotrauma Race Norms and Concussion Payout

Ima Ebong, Dr.
University of Kentucky, Department of Neurology

Ima Ebong, Dr. Ima Ebong, Dr.
10:30 am - 10:50 am

S18.02 - Social determinants of TBI in adults

Shameeke Taylor, Dr.
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Mt Sinai, Department of Emergency Medicine

Shameeke Taylor, Dr. Shameeke Taylor, Dr.
10:50 am - 11:10 am

S18.03 - Health Disparities in the Care, Management and Outcomes following Pediatric TBI

Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr.
Professor
Drexel University

Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr. Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr.
11:10 am - 11:30 am

S18.04 - Socioeconomic Status Effect on Spinal Coordinate Injury Rehabilitation

Adriana Simpson, Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Adriana Simpson, Assistant Professor Adriana Simpson, Assistant Professor
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

(SESSION)WS01 - Designing and Delivering Effective Chalk Talks

Session Description

Chalk talks are often a much-feared, yet critical, aspect of faculty job interviews and research presentations. This workshop prepares early career scientists to deliver compelling chalk talks. Through a structured presentation with opportunities for interactive discussion throughout, participants will learn how to clearly articulate their scientific vision, outline future research directions, and engage faculty audiences without relying on slides.

The session will highlight the expectations and common formats of chalk talks, strategies for balancing technical depth with accessibility, and methods for demonstrating independence and feasibility. Presenters will share practical advice drawn from experience on both sides of the interview process, offering insights into how to avoid common pitfalls and strengthen delivery.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a clear framework for preparing and presenting a confident and compelling chalk talk that communicates their research and scientific goals.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the purpose and expectations of chalk talks in academic interviews.
  • Learn strategies to effectively communicate research vision and independent viewpoint.
  • Gain practical tips for handling questions and maintaining clarity under pressure.

Target Audience:
Senior graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty preparing for faculty interviews or seeking to strengthen their ability to present research plans in chalk talk format.

Participants will leave with actionable guidance, increased confidence, and a roadmap for delivering an effective chalk talk.
 

12:00 am - 12:00 am

WS01 - Chair

Sydney Vita, Dr.
Assistant Professor
LSUHSC - New Orleans

Sydney Vita, Dr. Sydney Vita, Dr.
12:00 am - 12:00 am

WS01.01 - Speaker

Naomi Sayre, Dr.
Assistant Professor
UT Health San Antonio

Naomi Sayre, Dr. Naomi Sayre, Dr.
12:00 am - 12:00 am

WS01.02 - Speaker

Sydney Vita, Dr.
Assistant Professor
LSUHSC - New Orleans

Sydney Vita, Dr. Sydney Vita, Dr.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

(SESSION)WS02 - Preclinical CDEs

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S19 - How TBI may Accelerate the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD)?

Session Description:

Emerging evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) may accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD), though the evidence remains inconclusive. Further questions about the roles of TBI severity and number of TBI events have also been unresolved to date, but data suggest they are important factors in accelerating ADRD progression. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers enable a minimally invasive assessment of the onset and progression of pathobiological changes after TBI, but outside of acute measures, long-term evolution in biomarker profiles has not been established. This session proposal will bridge the gap between the role of acute and long-term pathobiological changes after TBI focused primarily on ADRD pathobiology. To address these gaps, Jaclyn Iannucci will update on the immune linkages between TBI and future progression to ADRD. Paul Territo will examine how TBI and AD neurovascular coupling abnormalities share similar phenomena in both clinical subjects and preclinical models of disease. Rachel Rowe will describe how fragmented sleep may be a mechanistic link between TBI and ADRD. Finally, clinical and preclinical biomarker studies are showing great promise in assessing the role of TBI in ADRD progression and will be discussed by Denes Agoston. In summary, this session will lay the foundation for future investigations and future directions about how a heterogeneous TBI may confer increased risk for development of ADRD.

 

 

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S19 - Chair

Andre Obenaus, Dr.
Dr.
University of California Riverside

Andre Obenaus, Dr. Andre Obenaus, Dr.
1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S19 - Chair

Paul Territo, Dr.
Professor of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine

Paul Territo, Dr. Paul Territo, Dr.
1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S19.01 - Blood Borne Protein Biomarker Signatures of TBI-induced Vascular Injury in the Development of ADRD

Denes Agoston, Dr.
Professor
Uniformed Health Sciences University

Denes Agoston, Dr. Denes Agoston, Dr.
1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S19.02 - Assessing the role of Closed Head Injury on Neurovascular Uncoupling and Network Function

Paul Territo, Dr.
Professor of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine

Paul Territo, Dr. Paul Territo, Dr.
2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S19.03 - Exploring Immune Mechanisms in Preclinical Traumatic Brain Injury: Insights into Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis.

Jaclyn Iannucci, Dr.
Research Scientist
TAMU

Jaclyn Iannucci, Dr. Jaclyn Iannucci, Dr.
2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S19.04 - Fragmented Sleep as a Mechanistic Link Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease–Related Dementia

Rachel Rowe, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Colorado Boulder

Rachel Rowe, Dr. Rachel Rowe, Dr.
1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S20 - Understanding Cause and Effect in Neurotrauma: A Practical Introduction for Researchers and Clinicians

Session Description:

Understanding Cause and Effect in Neurotrauma: A Practical Introduction for Researchers and Clinicians

After a TBI or SCI, countless biological, clinical, and environmental factors interact in ways that are difficult to untangle. As a field, we often ask questions like: Why do two patients with similar injuries recover differently? Which treatments truly help, not just correlate with better outcomes?How can we learn from realworld clinical data when randomized trials aren’t feasible?  To answer these types of causeandeffect questions, we need to apply causal reasoning and modern data science instead of traditional statistical approaches. This session will introduce these ideas in a simple, intuitive, and scientifically grounded way through examples. Large randomized controlled trials may not always be feasible to answer important clinical questions due to ethical, logistical and/or financial reasons. Causal inference methods applied to data from large observational studies offer a valuable solution to such problems and opportunities to: 1) Distinguish correlation from cause and effect, 2) Design better studies, even using existing data, 3) Identify mechanisms that drive recovery or deterioration, 4) Evaluate the realworld impact of diagnostics, treatments, and rehabilitation strategies, 5) Discover new intervention targets by understanding how factors influence one another, and 6) Make more confident clinical and scientific inferences when randomized clinical trials are not possible. Participants will walk away with a practical understanding of how causal thinking can help us to better understand complex neurotrauma data, improve the studies they undertake, strengthen evidence, and ultimately guide decisionmaking. This session will show, through concrete examples, how these methods can meaningfully strengthen neurotrauma research.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S20 - Chair

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Waterloo

Abel Torres Espin, Dr. Abel Torres Espin, Dr.
1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S20 - Chair

Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr.
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Waterloo

Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr. Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr.
1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S20.01 - An Introduction to Causal Inference

Andrea Schneider, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University of Pennsylvania

Andrea Schneider, Dr. Andrea Schneider, Dr.
1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S20.02 - Neurotrauma, Inflammation and Patient Outcomes: Connecting the dots with Causal Inference

Romit Samanta, Dr.
Senior Research Fellow
University of Cambridge

Romit Samanta, Dr. Romit Samanta, Dr.
2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S20.03 - Application of Dynamic Treatment Regimes for Personalized Hemodynamic Treatment in Spinal Cord Injury

Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr.
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Waterloo

Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr. Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr.
2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S20.04 - Discovering the Causal Dynamics of TBI from large datasets. Use Case in Sports Concussion with CARE data

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.
Assistant Professor
University Of Waterloo

Abel Torres Espin, Dr. Abel Torres Espin, Dr.
1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S21 - Novel Biomarkers for Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in the Eras of Precision Medicine and CBI-M

Session Description

Recovery from pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is driven by complex, dynamic biological processes that evolve over time, contributing to striking heterogeneity in outcomes that limits accurate prognostication and targeted treatment. In the era of precision medicine, existing physiological, neuroimaging, and protein biomarkers have fallen short in capturing this complexity particularly in children, highlighting the urgent need for novel and age-specific biomarkers to guide individualized care.

This need has become even more salient with the introduction of the CBI-M (Clinical, Biomarker, Imaging, Modifiers) framework, which emphasizes the integration of multimodal data to refine TBI classification, improve prognostic precision, and enhance trial design. Within this emerging framework, the dearth of validated pediatric biomarkers remains a critical research gap.

In this symposium, four investigators will present cutting-edge research in novel biomarkers of pediatric TBI, spanning preclinical and clinical studies. Biomarkers to be discussed include: (1) acute differential DNA methylation in the BDNF gene in children with TBI versus orthopedic injury; (2) multimodal biomarkers following experimental pediatric TBI: exploring molecular, physiological, and neurobehavioral domains during adolescence and adulthood phases, along with overlapping clinically-relevant factors such as early life stress or hypertension comorbidity; (3) age-related variations in expression of GFAP and UCHL1 following pediatric TBI; and (4) white matter maturation in children and juvenile mice with mild TBI. Strengths, limitations, and future directions for each biomarker will be considered in the context of advancing precision medicine for pediatric TBI and informing biomarker-driven components of the CBI-M framework.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S21 - Chair

Amery Treble-Barna, Dr.
Associate Professor
University of Pittsburgh

Amery Treble-Barna, Dr. Amery Treble-Barna, Dr.
1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S21.01 - Differential DNA Methylation of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene after Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Compared to Orthopedic Injury

Amery Treble-Barna, Dr.
Associate Professor
University of Pittsburgh

Amery Treble-Barna, Dr. Amery Treble-Barna, Dr.
1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S21.02 - Bridging Mechanisms and Medicine: Integrative Biomarkers and Therapeutic Advances after Pediatric Brain Trauma

Corina Bondi, Dr.
Associate Professor
University of Pittsburgh

Corina Bondi, Dr. Corina Bondi, Dr.
2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S21.03 - Exploring Age Specific Biomarker Expression in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura Blackwell, Dr.
Pediatric Neuropsychologist
Emory University

Laura Blackwell, Dr. Laura Blackwell, Dr.
2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S21.04 - Altered White Matter Maturation After Concussion Linked to Anxious Behaviours in Children and Mice

Anne Wheeler, Dr.
Senior Scientist
Hospital For Sick Children

Anne Wheeler, Dr. Anne Wheeler, Dr.
1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S22 - Axis of Recovery: Gut, Microbiome, and Nutrition after Spinal Cord Injury

Session Description:

Recent advances have highlighted the profound impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on gut function and microbiome composition, extending far beyond locomotor and sensory dysfunction. Building on this foundation, this session will explore the emerging science of the gut-brain and gut-lung axis in SCI, focusing on how disruptions in gastrointestinal function and microbiome composition can drive pathology and impede recovery both in animals and humans with SCI.


The symposium will examine how SCI-induced changes in gut integrity, motility, and microbial diversity and function contribute to lung pathology, systemic complications, metabolic dysfunction, and impaired neurorecovery. Attendees will gain insights into nutritional strategies, microbiome-targeted interventions, and innovative dietary approaches—such as ketogenic therapy—that hold promise for improving outcomes.


Our panel reflects the collaborative and inclusive spirit of the NNS meeting, featuring a diverse group of experts evenly split between females and males and representing all career stages in basic and clinical research—from medical student to senior faculty. This diversity ensures a rich exchange of perspectives and experiences, enhancing the depth and relevance of the discussion.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S22 - Chair

Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor
Associate Professor/ Vice Chair Of Research
Ohio State University

Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor
1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S22.02 - The Gut-lung Axis in Lung Injury After Acute SCI

Helen Wei, Assistant Professor
Trauma and Acute Care Surgeon
University of Kentucky

Helen Wei, Assistant Professor Helen Wei, Assistant Professor
2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S22.03 - The Impact of Ketogenic Diet on Neurorecovery in Acute SCI

Sana Chahande, Miss
Medical Student
Ohio State University

Sana Chahande, Miss Sana Chahande, Miss
2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S22.04 - Nutritional Interventions Targeting Metabolism and Gut Microbiome after SCI

Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor
Associate Professor/ Vice Chair Of Research
Ohio State University

Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor
1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S23 - Scientific Rigor or Mortis: Are the TBI Biomechanics of Our Models Clinically Valid?

Session Description:

The biomechanics of traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been studied for centuries. However, while the biomechanical parameters of some preclinical models have been clinically validated as have their resulting pathologies, many other models lack this critical clinical comparison. This session will explore biomechanical and neuropathological aspects of various common TBI preclinical models in context with current understanding of human TBI biomechanics and consequent neuropathologies. These models will include various forms of head rotational acceleration, cortical impact, fluid percussion and blast exposure in large and small animals in comparison to the corresponding human conditions. In addition to highlighting the historical and the latest relevant literature, we will provide new data including high-speed video and sensor recording of the preclinical TBI models and analyze how they scale, or don’t, to human TBI biomechanics.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S23 - Chair

Douglas Smith, Dr.
Groff Professor/Direcgtor
University Of Pennsylvania

Douglas Smith, Dr. Douglas Smith, Dr.
1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S23.01 - Neuropathologies of Animal Models of TBI in Comparison to Human TBI

Hailong Song, Dr.
Instructor of Neurosurgery
University of Pennsylvania

Hailong Song, Dr. Hailong Song, Dr.
1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S23.02 - Multiscale Modeling of TBI

Barclay Morrison III, Dr.
Professor
Columbia University

Barclay Morrison III, Dr. Barclay Morrison III, Dr.
2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S23.03 - High Speed vVdeo and Sensor Analyses of Animal Models of TBI and Relevance to Human TBI Conditions

Cameron ’Dale’ Bass, Dr.
Professor
Wayne State University

Cameron ’Dale’ Bass, Dr. Cameron ’Dale’ Bass, Dr.
2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S23.04 - TBI Biomechanics and Calibration of Animal Models to Human Conditions

David Meaney, Dr.
S.r. Pollack Professor
University of Pennsylvania

David Meaney, Dr. David Meaney, Dr.
1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S24 - Advances in Cell Therapy for Neural Repair

Session Description

This proposed session will present the latest advancements in cell-based therapies for spinal cord repair, featuring a panel of leading investigators spanning stem cell engineering, pre-clinical transplantation, large-animal translation, and clinical implementation. Cell therapy has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for restoring neural circuitry after spinal cord injury, supported by robust experimental evidence and accelerating translational progress. Co-chaired by Drs. Michael Fehlings (University of Toronto) and Michael Lane (Drexel University), the session will highlight how innovations in stem cell biology, neural engineering, and combinatorial therapeutic strategies are converging to advance spinal cord repair. Presentations will address recent breakthroughs in neuronal progenitor engineering, donor–host integration, large-animal validation, and clinical translation, with emphasis on how targeted cell transplantation paired with supportive interventions can promote durable neural repair and functional recovery.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S24 - Chair

Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor
Associate Professor
Drexel University

Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor
1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S24 - Chair

Michael Fehlings, Dr.
Professor
University of Toronto

Michael Fehlings, Dr. Michael Fehlings, Dr.
1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S24.01 - Neuromodulation for Harnessing Donor-Cell Activity and Networking After Spinal Cord Injury

Lyandysha Zholudeva, Dr.
Research Investigator
Gladstone Institutes

Lyandysha Zholudeva, Dr. Lyandysha Zholudeva, Dr.
1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S24.02 - TBD

Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor
Associate Professor
Drexel University

Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor
2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S24.03 - Extensive Restoration of Forelimb Function in Primates With Spinal Cord Injury by Neural Stem Cell Transplantation

Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr.
Assistant Project Scientist
University of California, San Diego

Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr. Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr.
2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S24.04 - Evaluating Synaptic Integration of Transplanted Engineered Neural Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury

Zijian Lou, Dr.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Toronto

Zijian Lou, Dr. Zijian Lou, Dr.
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm

(SESSION)Closing Ceremony

Monday

June 15, 2026
7:00 am - 8:00 am

(SESSION)NNS Fun Run

8:00 am - 8:30 am

(SESSION)Opening Ceremony

8:30 am - 9:45 am

(SESSION)KN01 - Lived Experience Keynote

Session Description

KNO1.01 - Belief, Connection, Resilience, and Time. What Recovery After Brain Injury Often Requires.

Recovery after many brain injuries unfolds over years, not weeks. Drawing on qualitative research as well as two decades of lived experience recovering from a severe traumatic brain injury, this keynote explores the human capacities that make long-term healing possible: belief, connection, resilience, and agency. It examines why post-acute care can produce better outcomes by deliberately strengthening these capacities. Recovery demands systems designed not just for survival, but for adaptation, meaning, and sustained engagement over time.

KN01.02 - Utilizing the Under-rated Resource of Lived-experience as an ally for Funding, Informing Research Priorities, and Building a case for Urgency.  

Topics to be discussed: 

-Illustrating the "inaccessibility cycle" using our first-ever Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon handcycle attempt and its parallels to finding a seat at the table of research. 
-The U2FP LabRats lab consultant program as an example of utilizing lived-experience to inform "community impact", research priorities, clinical study design, and study recruitment/retainment
-Our work to support researchers through state-level research grant bills, including our current effort in WI. 
-Our work to defend research investment at the Federal level: the fight to save DOD SCIRP and the broader CDMRP
-A call to rethink urgency, incentives and organization and coordination of siloed research toward a functional recovery endpoint. 

 

8:30 am - 9:00 am

KN01.01 - Belief, Connection, Resilience, and Time. What Recovery After Brain Injury Often Requires.

Scott Hamilton, Mr.

Scott Hamilton, Mr.

9:00 am - 9:30 am

KN01.02 - Utilizing the Under-rated Resource of Lived-experience as an ally for Funding, Informing Research Priorities, and Building a case for Urgency.  

Jason Stoffer, Mr.

Jason Stoffer, Mr.

9:45 am - 10:30 am

(SESSION)P0A: Poster Group A

10:30 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)KN02 - Translating Tau to the Touchline: A Cells to Society Approach to TBI Research

Translating Tau to the Touchline: A Cells to Society Approach to TBI Research
 
The last two decades have seen remarkable advances in our understanding of the potential lifelong brain health consequences associated with TBI and repetitive head impacts (RHI). In large part, this has been driven by increased recognition of the TBI/RHI-specific tauopathy, chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change, in autopsy examinations of former contact sports athletes.
 
In this talk, we will review efforts to identify the clinical implications of this newly appreciated pathology and examine how these findings are shaping global public health policies, including grassroots concussion protocols and head impact exposure limits in sports such as soccer and rugby.

10:30 am - 11:15 am

KN02.01 - Translating Tau to the Touchline: A Cells to Society Approach to TBI Research

William Stewart, Professor

William Stewart, Professor

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm

(SESSION)DB01 - Data Blitz Mini Oral Presentations

1:40 am - 1:43 am

DB01.11 - Retrospective Application of the 2023 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Diagnostic Criteria for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura McGuigan, Ms.

Laura McGuigan, Ms.

2:07 am - 2:10 am

DB01.20 - Acid-Base Derangements Correlate with Unfavorable Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI ICU Cohort Study

David Caldwell, Dr.

David Caldwell, Dr.

1:10 pm - 1:13 pm

DB01.01 - Persistent Post-concussion Symptoms Correspond to Lasting Axonal and Oligodendrocyte Damage in Repetitive mTBI

Helena Oft, Ms

Helena Oft, Ms

1:13 pm - 1:16 pm

DB01.02 - Neural Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicle Therapy Improves Cellular And Functional Recovery In A Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Porcine Model

Taylor LePage, Mrs

Taylor LePage, Mrs

1:16 pm - 1:19 pm

DB01.03 - Unique Transcriptomic Profiles of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Male Mice

Madison Wypyski, Ms.

Madison Wypyski, Ms.

1:19 pm - 1:22 pm

DB01.04 - Microbiome Driven Gut–brain Axis Dysfunction and Enteric Nervous System Remodeling in Chronic Abdominal Pain After Spinal Cord Injury

Sonali Choudhury, Mrs.

Sonali Choudhury, Mrs.

1:22 pm - 1:25 pm

DB01.05 - Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for Reduction of Acute Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury

Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs.

Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs.

1:25 pm - 1:28 pm

DB01.06 - Perivascular Connexin 43 and Fibronectin expression is a Novel Signature of Interface Astroglial Scarring in a Gyrencephalic Model of Multi-Modal Traumatic Brain Injury

Bradley Smith, Mr.

Bradley Smith, Mr.

1:28 pm - 1:31 pm

DB01.07 - Optogenetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Motor Rehabilitation in Rodent Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Models

Emma Moravec, Ms.

Emma Moravec, Ms.

1:31 pm - 1:34 pm

DB01.08 - Machine Learning Classification of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Using Actigraphy-Derived Sleep Signatures

Andrea Lugo, Ms.

Andrea Lugo, Ms.

1:34 pm - 1:37 pm

DB01.09 - Elucidation of Progressive Transcriptional Regulation within Serotonin Neurons Following MildTraumatic Brain Injury

Hana Schwierling, Ms.

Hana Schwierling, Ms.

1:37 pm - 1:40 pm

DB01.10 - Repetitive Head Impacts Drive Collagen IV Vascular Remodeling Before Tau Pathology in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms.

Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms.

1:46 pm - 1:49 pm

DB01.13 - Therapeutic Targeting of the Thrombin Receptor in Chronic SCI Promotes Functional Gains and Improvements in Lipid Metabolism

Kaleb Miles, Mr.

Kaleb Miles, Mr.

1:49 pm - 1:52 pm

DB01.14 - Connecting the Spots: Applying the Void-Spot-Assay and Machine Learning To Evaluate Urinary Function and Behavior After Spinal Cord Injury

Ryan Dorrian, Dr.

Ryan Dorrian, Dr.

1:52 pm - 1:55 pm

DB01.15 - Hunting for a Molecular Phenotype of Rod Microglia in TBI and Neurodegeneration

Karisa Louangprasert, Ms

Karisa Louangprasert, Ms

1:55 pm - 1:58 pm

DB01.16 - Traumatic Brain Injury During Pregnancy Disrupts Cortical Development, Evidenced by Differential Gene Expression and Cortical Layer Thickness in Exposed Offspring

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.

1:58 pm - 2:01 pm

DB01.17 - Development of an Ultra-Selective DYRK1A Inhibitor as an Acute Therapeutic Strategy for Repeated Head Trauma

George Cottle, Mr

George Cottle, Mr

2:01 pm - 2:04 pm

DB01.18 - Associations of Neurotrauma History with Parkinsonism and Lewy Body Dementia Clinical Features in Former NFL Players at Late Life

Mikaela Sullivan, Ms.

Mikaela Sullivan, Ms.

2:04 pm - 2:07 pm

DB01.19 - Cracking the Code of Baroreflex Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury

Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr

Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S01 - Toward a Better Understanding of the Effects of mTBI on Women: A Neurobiological Perspective

Session Description:

This symposium aims to analyze emerging evidence for the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) on women using a neurobiological framework. In the first presentation, we will describe and discuss the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis in relation to the effects of mTBI on women. In the second presentation, we will present and analyze emerging neurobiological (e.g., clinical/behavioral, blood, urine) findings from the ongoing longitudinal Women’s Multi-domain Evaluation of Neurobiological Health Concussion (WOMEN’S Health Concussion) study. We will highlight the short (90 days) and long-term (12 months) sexual, reproductive, and behavioral health outcomes from this study. In the third presentation, we will examine emerging findings from a new study of the role of pubertal development on sex differences in mTBI outcomes in adolescents. In the final presentation, we will discuss sex differences in outcomes associated with both sport-related concussion and repetitive head impacts including multidomain clinical/behavioral and neuroimaging outcomes. Throughout the symposium, we will emphasize how the information from these presentations can be leveraged to translate research into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes for women with mTBI. At the conclusion of this symposium, attendees will be able to apply the information to inform an evidence-based, multidomain assessment and targeted treatment approach to women with mTBI. Attendees will also have a better understanding of the neurobiological effects of mTBI on mechanistic pathways related to women’s health outcomes following mTBI.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S01 - Chair

Anthony Kontos, Dr.

Anthony Kontos, Dr.

2:55 pm - 3:15 pm

S01.01 - Effects of mTBI on the Hypothalamic Pituitary Ovarian Axis: A Framework for Understanding Sex Differences

Julie Rios, Associate Professor

Julie Rios, Associate Professor

3:15 pm - 3:35 pm

S01.02 - Emerging Neurobiological Evidence for the Effects of mTBI on Women’s Reproductive and Sexual Health Outcomes from the WOMEN’S Health Concussion Study

Anthony Kontos, Dr.

Anthony Kontos, Dr.

3:55 pm - 4:15 pm

S01.04 - Sex Differences in Sport-related Concussion and Repetitive Head Impact Outcomes

Jaclyn Caccese, Dr.

Jaclyn Caccese, Dr.

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S02 - From Talking About It to Doing It: The New CBI-M Framework for Characterization of Acute TBI

Session Description:

The proposed symposium will feature presentations on real-world application of the new CBI-M framework from the National Institutes of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) for characterization of acute traumatic brain injury (TBI).  The CBI-M model is the resultant of a NINDS-sponsored, consensus-driven process that involved over  100 clinical, research, and lived experience experts in TBI.  A chief aim of this initiative was to overcome limitations inherent to the conventional nomenclature of “mild, moderate, severe” TBI.  The new multi-dimensional CBI-M framework incorporates four pillars: Clinical (full Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] and pupillary reactivity), Biomarkers (blood-based biomarkers), Imaging (pathoanatomical features), and Modifiers (patient, injury and environmental factors that influence clinical presentation and outcome).  From the start, the NINDS effort emphasized strategies for implementation of the CBI-M to maximize its impact in clinical care and research trials in brain injury medicine.  To that end, this session will focus on efforts toward advancing the CBI-M from concept to application. In addition to introducing the overall CBI-M framework, presentations will focus on validation, translation, and implementation of the CBI-M pillars in research and clinical settings. Challenges in implementation and future directions of the CBI-M will be highlighted. A moderated discussion period will encourage input from the audience of TBI professionals and individuals with lived experience on the CBI-M model and its implementation in brain injury research and care.  

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S02 - Chair

Michael Mccrea, Dr.

Michael Mccrea, Dr.

2:55 pm - 3:10 pm

S02.01 - In Case You Missed It: Overview of the new NINDS CBI-M Framework

Nsini Umoh, Dr.

Nsini Umoh, Dr.

3:10 pm - 3:25 pm

S02.02 - It Can Be Done: The Case of Blood-Based Biomarkers

Jeffrey Bazarian, Dr.

Jeffrey Bazarian, Dr.

3:25 pm - 3:40 pm

S02.03 - What Real-world Data Tell Us: Efforts Toward Clinical Validation of the CBI-M

Geoffrey Manley, Dr.

Geoffrey Manley, Dr.

3:40 pm - 3:55 pm

S02.04 - In Case You Missed It: Overview of the new NINDS CBI-M Framework and Not Just an Afterthought: Important Role of the Modifiers Pillar

Michael Mccrea, Dr.

Michael Mccrea, Dr.

3:55 pm - 4:10 pm

S02.05 - The Path Forward: Important Considerations for Implementation of the CBI-M Framework in Clinical Practice and Research

Michael Mccrea, Dr.

Michael Mccrea, Dr.

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S03 - From Bench to Bedside: Understanding Successes and Failures of Clinical Trials in Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

Session Description:

Neurotrauma is a rich field with a robust network of basic science and clinical researchers. Despite large gains in our understanding of the mechanisms of traumatic brain (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) over the past few decades, this has largely not translated into novel therapeutics to improve patient care. Neurotrauma as a field is plagued by high-profile, negative trials. These trials have failed for a variety of reasons, including suboptimal trial design, challenges with identifying proper outcome measures, poor patient selection, and challenges translating bedside therapeutics into the clinical space. In this session, we will review the progress made in recent SCI and TBI clinical trials, as well as their methodological  shortcomings. We will explore how researchers have brought promising bedside therapeutics into the clinical space, and the challenges they have faced. Additional talks will present a case example translating the basic science findings in spreading depolarizations into actionable clinical protocols to build out a clinical trial. We will look at brain tissue oxygenation, and how clinical trial structure led to one negative trial. Other, better designed trials offer promise. Lastly, we will review TRACK-NET, a clinical trials network for TBI. This network is the future for translating the basic and clinical findings into rapid turnover clinical trials to improve outcomes for our patients. Ultimately, while basic science research provides promising results, we must, as a field, improve our ability to translate these findings into clinical trials to improve outcomes in our patients.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S03 - Chair

Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor

Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S03 - Chair

Laura Ngwenya, Dr.

Laura Ngwenya, Dr.

2:55 pm - 3:15 pm

S03.01 - Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials in Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury

Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor

Matthew Pease, Assoc. Professor

3:15 pm - 3:35 pm

S03.02 - From Bench to Bedside - Bringing Spreading Depolarizations into the Clinical Space

Laura Ngwenya, Dr.

Laura Ngwenya, Dr.

3:35 pm - 3:55 pm

S03.03 - From Bench to Bedside - Understanding how Brain Tissue Oxygenation Research Built Three, Large Scale Clinical Trials

Enyinna Nwachuku, Assistant Professor

Enyinna Nwachuku, Assistant Professor

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S04 - Combinatorial Strategies in Spinal Cord Injury: Progress and Perspectives

Session Description:

Extensive preclinical research has shown that most effective therapies for spinal cord injury repair rely on combinatorial approaches that target multiple aspects of spinal cord injury pathology. These strategies often integrate exercise-based rehabilitation to optimize functional recovery and circuit remodeling. In contrast, most clinical trials in individuals with spinal cord injury have relied on single interventions, and when combinations are used, one typically involves rehabilitation. The goal of our session is to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress achieved through combinatorial approaches, highlight current translational challenges, and discuss strategies to advance clinical applications for improving patient outcomes. Michael Fehlings will discuss translational regenerative approaches for chronic cervical spinal cord injury using engineered neural stem cells. Dr. Jennifer Dulin will discuss how functional efficacy of neural stem cells transplantation is bolstered by activity-based rehabilitation in rodent models. Dr. Gordon Mitchell will discuss an emerging combinatorial strategy to recover respiratory and non-respiratory motor function in people with SCI: acute intermittent hypoxia (tAIH) followed by task specific training. Whereas there is a clear need for combined tAIH plus task specific training to improve locomotion, it is less clear with respiratory motor function.  Dr. Monica Perez will discuss how combinatorial therapies targeting spinal plasticity, integrating neurostimulation, pharmacological agents, and exercise-based rehabilitation, to enhance recovery following chronic SCI. Each speaker will integrate the knowledge presented into a unifying discussion on how combinatorial approaches can be used to maximize functional restoration after SCI. 

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S04 - Chair

Monica Perez, Professor

Monica Perez, Professor

2:55 pm - 3:15 pm

S04.01 - Translational Regenerative Approaches Using Engineered Neural Stem Cells

Michael Fehlings, Dr.

Michael Fehlings, Dr.

3:15 pm - 3:35 pm

S04.02 - Neural Stem Cells and Activity-based Rehabilitation

Jennifer Dulin, Dr.

Jennifer Dulin, Dr.

3:35 pm - 3:55 pm

S04.03 - Combinatorial Strategies to Recover Respiratory and Non-respiratory Function

Gordon Mitchell, Professor

Gordon Mitchell, Professor

3:55 pm - 4:15 pm

S04.04 - Combinatorial Therapies Targeting Spinal Plasticity in Humans with SCI

Monica Perez, Professor

Monica Perez, Professor

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S05 - Innovative Biomaterial-Based Approaches for Neurotrauma Repair

Session Description

Recent advances in biomaterial engineering are redefining therapeutic options for repairing the injured central nervous system. From nanotherapeutics to engineered cell-supportive matrices and cell-targeting systems, biomaterials are providing innovative solutions to overcome common barriers to neurological treatment, such as poor drug bioavailability, limited tissue integration, inefficient targeting, and off-target effects. Our session brings together leading researchers developing next-generation biomaterials and delivery systems that integrate biological, chemical, and physical design principles to promote tissue repair and functional recovery. We will explore the use of injectable biomaterials, fibrous-based platforms, modular multi-scale biomaterial and combinatorial therapies to repair the injured neural tissue. Collectively, these presentations will highlight how innovative biomaterial systems can modulate the cellular microenvironment, enhance therapeutic precision, and accelerate the clinical translation of regenerative technologies for patients with neurotrauma.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S05 - Chair

Martin Oudega, Dr.

Martin Oudega, Dr.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S05 - Chair

Susana R Cerqueira, Dr.

Susana R Cerqueira, Dr.

2:55 pm - 3:10 pm

S05.01 - Modular Multi-scale Nanomaterials for Targeted Spinal Repair

Courtney Dumont, Dr.

Courtney Dumont, Dr.

3:25 pm - 3:40 pm

S05.03 - Cell-Targeted Combinatorial Therapeutic Strategies for Neurotrauma Applications

Susana R Cerqueira, Dr.

Susana R Cerqueira, Dr.

3:40 pm - 3:55 pm

S05.04 - Injectable Biomaterials for Enhancing Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury

Martin Oudega, Dr.

Martin Oudega, Dr.

3:55 pm - 4:10 pm

S05.05 - BI-on-a-Chip: Linking Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurodegenerative Diseases Through Multimodal Investigations

Riyi Shi, Professor

Riyi Shi, Professor

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

(SESSION)S06 - Cellular Crosstalk and Collective Contributions to Tissue Damage after Neurotrauma

Session Description

The goal of this session is to provide insight into the diverse function and cell-cell interactions of neurons, glia and immune cells after spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). It will address the question how central nervous system (CNS) resident and invading cell types interact and contribute to outcomes after neurotrauma.

This session will focus on cell types contributing to the inflammatory response and neuronal damage. The speakers will analyze the interaction of innate and adaptive immune cells after TBI, discuss neuron-intrinsic immune mechanisms, present data on pericyte function in neurotrauma-responses and scrutinize the distinct properties of fibroblasts after CNS injury.

This seminar will provide a big-picture overview into the extent of cellular reactivity and interactions in neurotrauma.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S06 - Chair

Antje Kroner, Dr.

Antje Kroner, Dr.

2:45 pm - 2:55 pm

S06 - Chair

Jae Lee, Dr.

Jae Lee, Dr.

2:55 pm - 3:15 pm

S06.01 - Dissecting the role of CD8+ T cell and Microglial cross talk in the aged TBI rain

Josh Morganti, Dr.

Josh Morganti, Dr.

3:15 pm - 3:35 pm

S06.02 - Neuron-immune Signaling After Spinal cord Injury

Antje Kroner, Dr.

Antje Kroner, Dr.

3:35 pm - 3:55 pm

S06.03 - Pericyte Dysfunction and Vascular Alterations in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Preeja Chandran, Dr

Preeja Chandran, Dr

3:55 pm - 4:15 pm

S06.04 - Fibroblast Heterogeneity and Modulation After CNS Injury

Jae Lee, Dr.

Jae Lee, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

(SESSION)Monday - Exhibition and Poster Reception - Poster Group A (POA)

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Botulinum-Toxin Enhanced Expression of an Intramuscularly Injected Optogenetic AAV Vector

Logan Read, Mr.

Logan Read, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

A New Classification for Acute, Blunt, Traumatic Clivus Fractures Based on the Mechanism of Injury

Nishani Hewage, Dr.

Nishani Hewage, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

A Novel Model of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Neuroplasticity-Susceptible Rat Strain

Robert Kotloski, Dr

Robert Kotloski, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

A Protective Helmet-Like Interface Allows for Higher Energy Impacts in the CHIMERA Traumatic Brain Injury Model in Laboratory Rats.

Alexia Hyde, Ms

Alexia Hyde, Ms

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

AI-Aided Triage for GSWH: Validating an Interpretable HCT-Based Mortality Model

Jordan Fuhrman, Dr.

Jordan Fuhrman, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

AT 035,a NOP Receptor Partial Agonist, Enhances Recovery After Repeated Closed Head Traumatic Brain Injury With and Without Prior Stress

Rahat Ullah, Dr

Rahat Ullah, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Acid-Base Derangements Correlate with Unfavorable Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI ICU Cohort Study

David Caldwell, Dr.

David Caldwell, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Acute CT Findings and Their Relation to Traumatic Axonal Injury on Early MRI in a Large Prospective Norwegian Cohort of Patients With Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Halvor Solheim, Mr.

Halvor Solheim, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Assessing First Responder Perceptions About Gunshot Wounds to the Head (GSWH)

Deborah Huang, Dr.

Deborah Huang, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Assessing Outcomes of an Institutional Protocol for Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Civilian Cranial Gunshot Wounds

Natalie Ivey, Dr.

Natalie Ivey, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Associations of Neurotrauma History with Parkinsonism and Lewy Body Dementia Clinical Features in Former NFL Players at Late Life

Mikaela Sullivan, Ms.

Mikaela Sullivan, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Autonomic Reflex–Induced NRF2 Activation Prevents Secondary Injury in Traumatic Brain Injury

Chunyan Li, Associate Professor

Chunyan Li, Associate Professor

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Axon Fiber Orientation Predicts Region-Specific Axonal Vulnerability in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mechanistic Basis for Selective White Matter Damage

Haojie Mao, Dr.

Haojie Mao, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Baroreflex Sensitivity and Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation after Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: Disentangling Brain-Specific and Systemic Trauma Effects

Shotaro Saito, Dr.

Shotaro Saito, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Basic Needs Screening for Emergency Department Neurotrauma Patients

Mya Suneja, Ms.

Mya Suneja, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Bedside Electromagnetic Neuronavigation to Advance Precision and Safety for Cranial Access Procedures: Proof-of Principle Study in Neurotrauma and Neurocritical Care

John Yue, Dr.

John Yue, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Blast-Primed CD3+ T Cells Drive Chronic Retinal Ganglion Cell Dysfunction and Loss After Adoptive Transfer

Matthew Harper, Dr.

Matthew Harper, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Blood-Brain-Barrier Signaling Biomarkers Demonstrate Distinct Temporal, Severity, and Outcome Patterns in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Sarah Svirsky, Dr.

Sarah Svirsky, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Brain Age and Its Association With Concussion History, Head Impact Exposure, and Clinical Measures Across Three Cohorts of American Football Players Spanning Adolescence to Early Midlife

Mitchell Andersson, Dr

Mitchell Andersson, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Brain Injury Blood Biomarker Levels Remain Consistent Across Collection and Processing Variations in Healthy Controls

Ava Puccio, Dr.

Ava Puccio, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Brain and Spine Injuries During Rollover Crashes: Evaluating the Effects of the Updated FMVSS 216a Standard

Haojie Mao, Dr.

Haojie Mao, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Building Partnerships to Optimize Traumatic Brain Injury Care: A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Approach to Health System Improvement

Temitayo Okusanya, Ms.,

Temitayo Okusanya, Ms.,

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

CNS-Injury Proteins, Repetitive Head Impact Exposure, and Prior Concussion in Collegiate Athletes 5-10 Years Post-Career: A CARE Consortium Preliminary Analysis

Timothy Meier, Dr.

Timothy Meier, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cellular Responses After Combined Treatment for Repetitive Low-Level Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injuries

Bruce Citron, Dr.

Bruce Citron, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cerebral Perfusion, Oxygenation, and Metabolism During Progressive Intracranial Pressure Elevation in Piglets

Farah Kamar, Ms.

Farah Kamar, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Characterizing Persistent Neurotological Deficits Following Blast Exposure

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Characterizing the Role of Nursing Staff in the Implementation of a Remote Monitoring Tool for Adults Acutely Recovering from Concussion

Andrea Burnette, Mrs

Andrea Burnette, Mrs

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Chronic Myoclonic Seizure Burden Following Repetitive Blast Exposure and Social Isolation

Sushant Prajapati, Mr.

Sushant Prajapati, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Complement-Mediated Neuroimmune Activation Drives Chronic Cognitive Decline After Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Khalil Mallah, Dr.

Khalil Mallah, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Concussion Symptoms Associated with Same-Day Head Impact Exposure in Collegiate Rugby Players

Lauren Duma, Ms.

Lauren Duma, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Connecting the Spots: Applying the Void-Spot-Assay and Machine Learning To Evaluate Urinary Function and Behavior After Spinal Cord Injury

Ryan Dorrian, Dr.

Ryan Dorrian, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Continuous, Unsupervised, Time-Lapse Miniscope Imaging Captures Microglial Pathodynamics After Closed-Head Injury

Daniel Griffiths, Mr.

Daniel Griffiths, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cortical Spreading Depolarizations Amplify Epileptic Spikes in Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Malcolm Udeozor, Mr.

Malcolm Udeozor, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cortical Spreading Depolarizations Increase Aquaporin-4 Expression in a Rat Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr.

Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Cracking the Code of Baroreflex Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury

Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr

Fateme Khodadadi-Mericle, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

DNA Methylation Changes in Response to Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura Zima, Dr.

Laura Zima, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Data Field Matching in Traumatic Brain Injury Studies Using Micro Large Language Models

Patrick Belton, Dr.

Patrick Belton, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

De-Novo Post-Injury Substance Use Is Associated with Poorer 12-Month Multidimensional Outcomes After GCS 13-15 Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study

John Yue, Dr.

John Yue, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Detection of Cortical Spreading Depolarizations in Traumatic Brain Injury Using Acoustic-Inspired Spectral Features in Electrocorticography

Dingyi Pei, Dr.

Dingyi Pei, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Development and Implementation of a Standardized Framework for the Clinical Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults: a TRACK-TBI Study

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Development of an AI-Driven Tool to Characterize Vascular-Related Glial Changes Following Repeated Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Jaycie Gard, Ms.

Jaycie Gard, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Development of an Ultra-Selective DYRK1A Inhibitor as an Acute Therapeutic Strategy for Repeated Head Trauma

George Cottle, Mr

George Cottle, Mr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Differential Neuropathology in Female versus Male Brain Donors with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury

L. Kim Chung, Dr

L. Kim Chung, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Diffusion Abnormalities One Year After Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Tracey Wick, Mr.

Tracey Wick, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Dose-Dependent Brain Pathology Following Single And Repeated Blast Exposure in Rats

Linda Karlsson, Ms

Linda Karlsson, Ms

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Dynamics of the Pupillary Light Reflex in Collegiate Athletes After Acute Concussion

Lauren Rooks, Mrs.

Lauren Rooks, Mrs.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Early Field Deployment of the Abbott i-STAT Alinity TBI Whole-Blood Test in MotoAmerica

Jeffrey Shipley, Dr.

Jeffrey Shipley, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Early Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes in Pediatric “Mild” Traumatic Brain Injury: A Machine Learning Approach

Upasana Nathaniel, Dr

Upasana Nathaniel, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Effect of Daily Television and Sleep with Concussion History on Academic Grades: A Youth Risk Behavior Survey Study from 2017-to-2021

Shawn Eagle, Dr.

Shawn Eagle, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Effects of Peripheral Injury and Surgery on Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in Rats

Zachary Campbell, Mr

Zachary Campbell, Mr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Effects of the Probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri on Behavioral Outcomes Following Frontal TBI in Rats

Alexandra Dorinsky, Ms.

Alexandra Dorinsky, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Electrode Density Determines Detection Sensitivity for Cortical Spreading Depolarizations in Acute Brain Injury

Dingyi Pei, Dr.

Dingyi Pei, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Elucidation of Progressive Transcriptional Regulation within Serotonin Neurons Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Hana Schwierling, Ms.

Hana Schwierling, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Emergency Department Clinician Perspectives on Giving Effective Discharge Education for Concussion from the EDucate Study

Courtney Barry, Dr

Courtney Barry, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation for Reduction of Acute Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury

Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs.

Pamela Shelby Prieto Del Rivero, Mrs.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Epidemiology of All-Terrain Vehicle Accidents in Children Younger Than 11 Years Old Seen at a Trauma Center in West Texas.

Nicolas Fandrich, Mr.

Nicolas Fandrich, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Evoked Compound Action Potentials as a Marker of Motor Activity During Spinal Cord Stimulation in Spinal Cord Injury

Disa Sullivan, Ms

Disa Sullivan, Ms

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

External Ventricular Drain Versus Intraparenchymal Pressure Monitor in Traumatic Brain Injury: An Updated Meta-analysis

Monique Mitchell, Dr.

Monique Mitchell, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Functional, Sensorimotor, and Cognitive Outcomes Following Unilateral MCAO in Rats.

Johana Bastidas, Dr

Johana Bastidas, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

GFAP, NfL, Tau and Inflammatory Cytokines Predict Glascow Outcome Score Extended at Discharge in Moderate to Severe TBI Patients

John Alice, Mr.

John Alice, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Geriatric TBI Admission Institutional Practice Patterns: A TRACK-TBI Survey Study

Neel Jani, Dr.

Neel Jani, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Glutathione Treatment and the Looming and Visual Cliff Tests as Functional Assessments of Visual Performance in Mice Following Closed Head Impact Model of Engineered Rotational Acceleration (CHIMERA) Brain Injury

Elizabeth McCarthy, Dr.

Elizabeth McCarthy, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Headache Burden in Former Professional Football Players: Associations With Neurotrauma Exposure and Psychological Outcomes: An NFL-LONG Study

Samantha DeVillers, Ms.

Samantha DeVillers, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Hunting for a Molecular Phenotype of Rod Microglia in TBI and Neurodegeneration

Karisa Louangprasert, Ms

Karisa Louangprasert, Ms

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

IL-1β-Containing Microglial Extracellular Vesicles Mediate Brain-Heart Communication After Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

Limin Wu, Dr

Limin Wu, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Identifying the Threshold from Mild to Moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries in Rats Using a Staircase Procedure

Cody Hubbard, Mr.

Cody Hubbard, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Implementation of a Microglial Replacement Procedure in a Rat Model of Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Claire Langle, Mrs

Claire Langle, Mrs

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Inhibition of ADAM17 and Cerebrovascular Reactivity Following Exposure to Repetitive Low-Level Blast

Kapinga Ngalula, Dr.

Kapinga Ngalula, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Inhibition of TACE Following Repetitive Low-Level Blast Exposure Impacts Cytokine Expression and Neurodegeneration

Rachel Barkey, Dr.

Rachel Barkey, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Inhibition of the RNA Regulator HuR potently mitigates TBI by suppressing post-injury neuroinflammation

Mohammed Amir Husain, Dr.

Mohammed Amir Husain, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Insulin Treatment Alters Protein Expression and Actigraphy Levels after TBI

Sharon Juliano, Dr.

Sharon Juliano, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Intranasal Administration of Retinoic Acid Nanoparticles Improves Behavioral Outcomes and Brain Pathology in Mice with Repetitive Mild TBI

Michael Gower, Dr.

Michael Gower, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Investigating Cellular Senescence in Serotonergic Pain Modulation Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Jacob Exline, Mr.

Jacob Exline, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Lesion Topography Shapes the Spatial Clustering and Propagation of Cortical Spreading Depolarizations After Acute Brain Injury

Dingyi Pei, Dr.

Dingyi Pei, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Leveraging Patient Perspectives to Improve Social Needs Screening After Traumatic Injury: A Qualitative Study

Kali Palen, Mrs.

Kali Palen, Mrs.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Long-Term Effects of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury on Glial Activation and Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity

Esther Drinkard, Mrs.

Esther Drinkard, Mrs.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reveals Neuroprotective Effects of Combined Hydrogen-Enriched Water and Minocycline Therapy After Traumatic Brain Injury

Eric Liu, Mr.

Eric Liu, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Longitudinal Pain Intensity and Interference Symptomatology in Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study Across 12-Months Post-Injury

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Low Pressure Hydrocephalus After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case series and Literature Review

Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr.

Jorge Robles Solivan, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Machine Learning Classification of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Using Actigraphy-Derived Sleep Signatures

Andrea Lugo, Ms.

Andrea Lugo, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Metabolic Solution Compositions With Neuroprotective, Antiseizure, and Cardioprotective Properties: Prospects for Treatment of TBI and Its Long-Term Consequences

Thomas Sutula, Dr.

Thomas Sutula, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Method-Driven Variance in Gait Coordination and Accuracy Measurements 24 Hours After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

Laura Tucker, Ms.

Laura Tucker, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Microbiome Driven Gut–brain Axis Dysfunction and Enteric Nervous System Remodeling in Chronic Abdominal Pain After Spinal Cord Injury

Sonali Choudhury, Mrs.

Sonali Choudhury, Mrs.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Microglia Cluster Into Multicellular Nodules in White Matter Tracts Following a Closed-Head Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury in Pigs

Caela C. Long, Dr

Caela C. Long, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Microtransport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury in New York City: Injury Patterns and Admission Predictors

Sean Inzerillo, Mr.

Sean Inzerillo, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Mid-life Social Relationships, TBI, and Dementia Risk

Bernadette D'Alonzo, Dr

Bernadette D'Alonzo, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Moderating Effect of the Mediterranean Diet on Traumatic Brain Injury and Depression: A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Study

Shawn Eagle, Dr.

Shawn Eagle, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neural Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicle Therapy Improves Cellular And Functional Recovery In A Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Porcine Model

Taylor LePage, Mrs

Taylor LePage, Mrs

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Male Infertility Following Spinal Cord Injury

Akram Esfandani, Dr.

Akram Esfandani, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuroinflammatory and Neurovascular Injury Blood Biomarkers Associated With Hyperglycemia in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Andres Nunez, Mr.

Andres Nunez, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuronal Circular RNA: A New Class of Non-coding RNAs Regulating Repair After TBI

Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr.

Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuronal TLR4 Signaling Compromises Dentate Granule Cell Physiology After Brain Injury by Upregulating MMP-9 Activity

Deepak Subramanian, Dr

Deepak Subramanian, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Neuronal-Induced Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Functional Recovery of Acute Spinal Cord Injury through Attenuating Neurotoxic Astrocyte Activation

Choong Hyo Kim, Dr

Choong Hyo Kim, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Novel Haloalkylated Human 18 kDa Translocator Protein Tracers for High-Accuracy Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostics

Dhruv Subramanian, Mr.

Dhruv Subramanian, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Observable Signs of Concussion in Professional Slap Fighting Using Established Video Review Protocols for Professional Sports

Corey Stewart, Mr.

Corey Stewart, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Optogenetic Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Motor Rehabilitation in Rodent Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Models

Emma Moravec, Ms.

Emma Moravec, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Osmotic Transport Device Reduces Lesion Volume in a Rat Model of Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injury

Victor Rodgers, Dr.

Victor Rodgers, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

PDE2A Inhibition as a Therapeutic Strategy for Traumatic Brain Injury.

John Katana, Mr.

John Katana, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

PDGFRα-mTOR Signaling pathway Drives Reactive Astrocyte Proliferation and Supports Synaptic Remodeling in the Hippocampus After Traumatic Brain Injury

Lilesh Pradhan, Dr.

Lilesh Pradhan, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Patterns of Spinal Fusion Utilization Following Vertebral Fractures Without Spinal Cord Injury: Insights From the National Trauma Data Bank

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Persistent Cerebellar Pathology in a Gyrencephalic Animal Following Combination Blast-CHIMERA TBI

Derrick Shaughnessy, Dr

Derrick Shaughnessy, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Persistent Post-concussion Symptoms Correspond to Lasting Axonal and Oligodendrocyte Damage in Repetitive mTBI

Helena Oft, Ms

Helena Oft, Ms

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Phosphorylated Tau is Selectively Increased Around Brain Contusion

Jenny Jang, Ms.

Jenny Jang, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Physiology-Guided Programming of Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation for Functional Restoration After Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Tara Nash, Mrs.

Tara Nash, Mrs.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Poor Local Feedback Sensitivity Drives Decision-Making Impairments After Frontal TBI in Rats

Fikir Arega, Ms.

Fikir Arega, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Pregnancy Specific Glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) Overexpression Primes Homeostatic Restoration and Modulates Sex-Specific Microglial Activation Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Erica Joo, Ms.

Erica Joo, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Pregnancy Specific Glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) Overexpression Skews Peripheral Immune Cells Towards Anti-Inflammatory Subpopulations Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Enya Caballero, Ms.

Enya Caballero, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Rehabilitation Differentially Restores Reaching Kinematics Across Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Models

Logan Friedrich, Mr.

Logan Friedrich, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Repeat Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease: Shared Calcium Dysregulation and Downstream Consequences in Mouse Models

Elise Webber, Ms.

Elise Webber, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Repetitive Head Impact Exposure is Associated with a Distinct Pattern of White Matter Hyperintensities among Athletes in Early Adulthood.

Benjamin Brett, Dr.

Benjamin Brett, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Repetitive Head Impacts Drive Collagen IV Vascular Remodeling Before Tau Pathology in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms.

Kaelin Sbrocco, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Retrospective Application of the 2023 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine’s Diagnostic Criteria for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura McGuigan, Ms.

Laura McGuigan, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Risk of Spinal Canal Neoplasm after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Propensity-Matched Cohort and Case-Control Study

Philip Ostrov, Dr.

Philip Ostrov, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Rugby Head Impact Exposure Predicts Microstructural Alterations in the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus

Jessica Towns, Ms

Jessica Towns, Ms

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Safety and Utility of Increased Spatial Sampling With Low-Profile Cylindrical Electrodes for Intracranial Electrophysiology in Severe Brain Injury

David Caldwell, Dr.

David Caldwell, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Serum Biomarker Diagnostic and Prognostic Efficacy in Human Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Patients

Joshua Moses, Mr.

Joshua Moses, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sex Chromosomes as Novel Drivers of T-Cell Phenotypes and Locomotor Recovery After SCI

Reena Kumari, Dr.

Reena Kumari, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sildenafil Improves Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Reduces Anxiety-Like Behavior Following Repeated Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Madison Kilgore, Ms.

Madison Kilgore, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sleep Fragmentation Exacerbates Brain-Lung Axis Dysfunction After TBI in AD-Predisposed Mice

Nadine Kerr, Dr.

Nadine Kerr, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Sleep Quality Trajectory and Working Memory in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Comparison by Baseline PSQI Severity

Yung-Hsiao Chiang, Dr.

Yung-Hsiao Chiang, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Synthetic PreImplantation Factor Protected Against Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

Peethambaran Arun, Dr

Peethambaran Arun, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Targeted Reconstruction of Pro-regenerative Gene Expression Programs in Adult Corticospinal Tract Neurons.

Syed Aasish Roshan, Dr.

Syed Aasish Roshan, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Targeting Peripheral T-cell Infiltration to Mitigate Long-Term Neurobehavioral Impairment in Pediatric Repetitive Mild TBI

Kirill Shumilov Bartenev, Dr

Kirill Shumilov Bartenev, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Tau Isoform Expression Drives Disease Outcomes Following a Single Closed Head Injury

Riley Morrone, Dr.

Riley Morrone, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

The Effect Of Concussion And Sport Participation On Self-Reported Measures Of Brain Health: A CARE Consortium Study

Steven Broglio, Dr

Steven Broglio, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury on the Chirality and Interactions of Neurons and Microglia During the Acute Phase Post-injury

Jie Fan, Dr.

Jie Fan, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

The Relationship Between Blood-Based Biomarkers and Alterations in Consciousness Following a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Mary Simons, Dr.

Mary Simons, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

The Role of Blast-induced Hearing Loss in Driving Alzheimer's-Related Neuropathology

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Therapeutic Targeting of the Thrombin Receptor in Chronic SCI Promotes Functional Gains and Improvements in Lipid Metabolism

Kaleb Miles, Mr.

Kaleb Miles, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Three-Dimensional Morphometric Analysis of Brain Capillary Mitochondria Following Repeated Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Cortney Laye, Mr.

Cortney Laye, Mr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Timing of Decompressive Craniectomy and Outcomes in Pediatric Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Monique Mitchell, Dr.

Monique Mitchell, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Transfer times to Tertiary Admission in Children with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Implications for Six Hour Observation Guidelines

Yasmin Moghaddam, Ms.

Yasmin Moghaddam, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury Biomarkers and Deficits Associated with Early Extracranial Surgery: A TRACK-TBI Study

Christopher Roberts, Dr.

Christopher Roberts, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury During Pregnancy Disrupts Cortical Development, Evidenced by Differential Gene Expression and Cortical Layer Thickness in Exposed Offspring

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury Elicits Multisystem Responses in Hemoglobinopathy: A Bulk RNA-Sequencing Analysis in Berkeley Sickle Cell Mice

Ektha Parchuri, Ms.

Ektha Parchuri, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Ultrastructural Damage to the Optic Nerve and Retina Induced by a Single High-Intensity Blast Exposure in Rats

Usmah Kawoos, Dr

Usmah Kawoos, Dr

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Unique Transcriptomic Profiles of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Male Mice

Madison Wypyski, Ms.

Madison Wypyski, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Using Implementation Science to Improve Discharge Education for Concussion in Emergency Departments: Health System Outcomes from the EDucate Study

Lindsay Nelson, Professor

Lindsay Nelson, Professor

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Vascular Reductions at 60 Days Post Cortical Contusion Injury (CCI) Elicits Sex Associated Differences in BBB Leakage .

Sophia Galleguillos, Mrs.

Sophia Galleguillos, Mrs.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Vepoloxamer Preserves Cerebral Microvascular Integrity and Blood Flow After Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Yanlu Zhang, Dr.

Yanlu Zhang, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

When Endocrine and Cognitive Sequelae Overlap: Differentiating Hypopituitarism from Postconcussional Syndrome After Traumatic Brain Injury

Monique Mitchell, Dr.

Monique Mitchell, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

When Protocols Collide: Reconciling Damage Control Resuscitation and Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Targets in Polytrauma Patients with Concurrent Traumatic Brain Injury

Wan Lin Chen, Dr.

Wan Lin Chen, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

White Matter Microstructural Characteristics Associated with Persistent Symptoms, Cognitive Impairment and Disability after Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study

Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr.

Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Whole-Blood Point-of-Care Biomarkers and Head Computerized Tomography Use among Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A POINT-mTBI Study

Leila Etemad, Ms.

Leila Etemad, Ms.

4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Why Traumatic Brain Injury Goes Undiagnosed: Diagnostic Patterns Based on Demographics, Injury Factors, and Clinical Presentation Across Seven Emergency Departments

Madeline Furie, Mx

Madeline Furie, Mx

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Assessing Kinematic Fidelity of Head Movement During a Rotational Acceleration Traumatic Brain Injury in Pigs

Susan Shin, Ms.

Susan Shin, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Newfound Axonal Pathology Phenotypes in Blast Traumatic Brain Injury

Hailong Song, Dr.

Hailong Song, Dr.

Tuesday

June 16, 2026
7:30 am - 8:30 am

(SESSION)NNS Business Breakfast Meeting

8:30 am - 9:30 am

(SESSION)KN03 - From Lesion to System: Prioritizing Autonomic Circuit Repair in Spinal Cord Injury Management

From Lesion to System: Prioritizing Autonomic Circuit Repair in Spinal Cord Injury Management

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) at or above T6 causes dysautonomia, a syndrome of organ pathophysiology that significantly impairs quality of life. While research often prioritizes locomotor recovery, people with SCI frequently rank autonomic complications as a higher priority. This lecture explores how "lesion-remote" spinal remodeling—driven by spinal interneurons and microglia—causes pathological circuit assembly. These maladaptive circuits drive immune dysfunction across diverse organs and likely underlie well known clinical complications (e.g., immune dysfunction, pneumonia, impaired wound healing) and prognostic indicators (high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios, dysbiosis) of poor outcome after SCI. We will discuss how targeting these maladaptive circuits, using experimental tools that may serve as indicators for the successful implementation of bioelectric medicine in humans or currently available drugs, might help prevent or mitigate the consequences of these systemic comorbidities.

8:30 am - 9:15 am

KN03.01 - From Lesion to System: Prioritizing Autonomic Circuit Repair in Spinal Cord Injury Management

Phillip Popovich, Dr.

Phillip Popovich, Dr.

9:30 am - 10:30 am

(SESSION)POB - Poster Group B

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

(SESSION)PL01 - Award Winners Session

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

(SESSION)Lunch with Neurotrauma Survivors

12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

(SESSION)NIH Funding Opportunities

1:45 pm - 3:00 pm

(SESSION)PL02: Latent Neurotropic Pathogens as Modifiers of Brain Injury Pathophysiology and Recovery

Session Description:

The pathophysiology of TBI is complex, and a constellation of biological and environmental influences are involved in response to and recovery from injury. There is growing appreciation that neurotropic pathogens that result in lifelong infections, such as herpesviruses and the single-cell parasite toxoplasma gondii, are associated with psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, a potential role of these common pathogens in the effects of and recovery from TBI have historically not been considered.

This session will present novel research investigating the extent to which latent neurotropic pathogens moderate pathophysiology and recovery of TBI. This session will span cutting edge preclinical and cross-disciplinary clinical research, consistent with the NNS 2026 theme and call for creative thinking and innovation.

Dr. Dana Cairns will present data demonstrating that repetitive mild injuries reactivate herpes simplex virus type 1, which in turn promotes an Alzheimer’s Disease-associated pathological phenotype in a three-dimensional in vitro brain tissue model.

Dr. Timothy Meier will present novel findings suggesting a role for cytomegalovirus seropositivity in moderating the effects of concussion on clinical measures, blood-based biomarkers, and neuroimaging metrics in a cohort of collegiate athletes and military service academy members.

Dr. Sandy Shultz will present preclinical results showing that pre-existing infection of the parasite toxoplasma gondii exacerbates the neuropathophysiological effects and associated functional deficits in a mouse model of TBI.

Finally, Dr. Gershon Spitz will present results from chronic TBI survivors (≥10 years post-injury) showing that those infected with toxoplasma gondii have worse MRI and psychiatric outcomes compared to uninfected counterparts.

1:45 pm - 1:55 pm

PL02 - Chair

Timothy Meier, Dr.

Timothy Meier, Dr.

1:45 pm - 1:55 pm

PL02 - Chiar

Sandy Shultz, Professor

Sandy Shultz, Professor

1:55 pm - 2:10 pm

PL02.01 - Exploring the role of Herpesviruses and Concussive Injury in Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease Using a 3D Human Brain Tissue Model

Dana Cairns, Dr.

Dana Cairns, Dr.

2:10 pm - 2:25 pm

PL02.02 - Concussion goes Viral: The Moderating role of Cytomegalovirus on Clinical, Blood, and MRI Outcomes in the CARE Consortium

Timothy Meier, Dr.

Timothy Meier, Dr.

2:25 pm - 2:40 pm

PL02.03 - Catastrophic Consequences: Infection of the Feline Parasite Toxoplasma Gondii Worsens TBI Outcomes in Mice

Sandy Shultz, Professor

Sandy Shultz, Professor

2:40 pm - 2:55 pm

PL02.04 - Toxoplasma Gondii Infection Modifies Chronic Recovery in TBI Survivors

Gershon Spitz, Dr.

Gershon Spitz, Dr.

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S07 - From Damage to Defense: The Paradox of the Secondary Injury Cascade After Spinal Cord Injury

Session Description:

After a spinal cord injury (SCI), the initial mechanical trauma is only the beginning of the damage. What follows is a complex secondary injury cascade that involves a series of biochemical and cellular processes that unfold over minutes to weeks after the primary insult. This cascade includes ischemia, inflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and apoptosis, all of which contribute to progressive tissue degeneration and neuronal loss beyond the original injury site. Paradoxically, some of these same mechanisms—such as inflammation and glial activation—also play roles in tissue repair and neuroprotection, highlighting the dual nature of the secondary response. Understanding this delicate balance between destructive and reparative processes is critical for developing therapies that can minimize damage while promoting recovery after SCI. This session aims to explore the secondary response after SCI through a collaborative lens. A neurosurgeon will discuss the secondary response from a clinical perspective, while basic scientists will examine the roles of inflammation, macrophage/microglia activation states, and the astrocytic border. Finally, we will highlight some current drug delivery platforms being developed to mitigate secondary damage after SCI.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S07 - Chair

Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr.

Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr.

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S07.01 - Clinical Ramifications of Spinal Cord Injuries – Trauma and Beyond

Joshua Medow, Professor

Joshua Medow, Professor

4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S07.02 - The Macrophage Contribution to Secondary Injury: Cell Origin and Heterogeneity in Spinal Cord Injury Pathophysiology

John Gensel, Professor

John Gensel, Professor

4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S07.03 - Infections After SCI: An Additional Insult to Locomotor Recovery

Angela Filous, Dr.

Angela Filous, Dr.

4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S07.04 - Targeted Therapeutics to Mitigate Secondary Damage After Spinal Cord Injury

Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr.

Daniel Hellenbrand, Dr.

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S08 - Translational Swine Models Advancing Neurotrauma Research

Session Description:

Neurotrauma, both TBI and SCI, impact millions of people annually, leading to sensory, cognitive, pathological, and molecular morbidities. While the field has learned much about TBI and SCI using rodent models, there are still no efficacious therapies that have translated to clinical use. To address this translational “valley of death”, this session will focus on the development and expansion of higher order swine models of neurotrauma to begin filling this translational void.  The swine has similar cytoarchitecture, consistent metabolic rates, compatible inflammatory systems, and analogous glial ratios to humans making swine an excellent translational model. In this session Dr. Candace Floyd will discuss her work validating neuropathic pain outcomes after SCI in swine. Dr. Michael Grovola will then discuss his work investigating proteomics, transcriptomics, and spatial characterizations of neural tissue in a swine model of TBI. Dr. Cole Vonder Haar will discuss his work developing and validating a touchscreen system for evaluating swine motor and cognitive function for neurotrauma research. Finally, Dr. Audrey Lafrenaye will discuss her work evaluating somatosensory and cognitive changes as well as microglial process convergence associated with axonal injury in a swine model of central fluid percussion injury. Together these talks will highlight the breakthroughs being made utilizing translational swine models of neurotrauma. 

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S08 - Chair

D. Kacy Cullen, Professor

D. Kacy Cullen, Professor

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S08 - Chair

Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr.

Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr.

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S08.01 - Validation of Neuropathic Pain Outcomes After Spinal Cord Injury Using a Pig Model

Candace Floyd, Dr.

Candace Floyd, Dr.

4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S08.02 - Multi-omics and Spatial Biology Approaches to Characterize Pig Neural Tissue

Michael Grovola, Dr.

Michael Grovola, Dr.

4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S08.03 - A 20-Minute Tour: Six Swine Models — Asymptomatic to Severe, Photons to Seizures

Beth Costine-Bartell, Dr.

Beth Costine-Bartell, Dr.

4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S08.04 - Behavioral and Microglial Changes Following Diffuse Swine TBI

Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr.

Audrey Lafrenaye, Dr.

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S09 - Robert Grossman Symposium on Personalized Approaches to Managing Spinal Cord Injury

Session Description:

We are only beginning to grasp the profound heterogeneity of spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery. SCI is a dynamic, evolving network of interrelated pathological processes. Its complexity—both biological and clinical—demands a shift from “one-size-fits-all” approaches to precision-guided therapies. Identifying robust biomarkers will be essential for stratifying patients into responder subgroups and tailoring individualized treatments. A deeper understanding of the anatomical basis of functional variability will further inform personalized strategies. The growing success of neuromodulation techniques—such as epidural and percutaneous stimulation —highlights the critical importance of individualized treatment planning. This symposium will explore the multifaceted heterogeneity of SCI pathophysiology and the central role of personalized care in optimizing recovery.

NASS (North American Spine Society) is a global multidisciplinary organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality evidence-based spine care. The Spinal Cord Injury Section at NASS is devoted to the scientific advancements for SCI and spine trauma management through research, teaching and collaborations.

NACTN (North American Clinical Trials Network) is a collection of academic and military centers with a mission of continually advancing the quality of care and life of people with SCI through the application of emerging treatments in the setting of clinical trials and a SCI Registry.

NASS and NACTN will collaborate with NNS and propose a session within the 2026 NNS symposium on “Personalized Approaches to Managing Spinal Cord Injury”.

For the sixth year, the symposium would be presented in honor of Dr. Robert Grossman who contributed greatly to the field of neurotrauma and spinal cord injury treatment.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S09 - Chair

Yi Lu, Dr.

Yi Lu, Dr.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S09 - Chair

Michael Fehlings, Dr.

Michael Fehlings, Dr.

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S09.01 - Personalized Approaches to Managing Cord Injury

Karlo Pedro, Dr.

Karlo Pedro, Dr.

4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S09.02 - Anatomic Basis for the Heterogeneity of Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

Yi Lu, Dr.

Yi Lu, Dr.

4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S09.03 - Personalized Surgical Approaches for Spinal Trauma

Daryl Fields, Dr.

Daryl Fields, Dr.

4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S09.04 - Biomarkers for Spinal Cord Injury

Sophie Stukas, Dr.

Sophie Stukas, Dr.

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S10 - PPRECISE-TBI: Leveraging Shared Data and Analytics to Improve Rigor and Reproducibility in the Assessment of Injury Severity in Animal Models

Session Description:

Over the past decade, the evaluation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has evolved beyond the traditional Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which, while essential for initial triage, fails to capture the complexity of individual injury mechanisms and patient-specific factors. A more nuanced framework—Clinical presentation, Biomarkers, Imaging, and Modifiers (CBI-M)—has emerged, integrating acute signs (e.g., GCS, loss of consciousness) with biological, radiological, and contextual data (e.g., medications, prior TBI, healthcare access). This multidimensional approach enhances clinical decision-making and trial design but introduces new challenges for preclinical research. Animal models of TBI often define injury severity by device parameters (e.g., pressure, acceleration) rather than biological response, limiting translational relevance. Bridging this gap requires a shift toward outcome-based classification in preclinical studies that mirrors the CBI-M framework. To address this, the VA, NIH, and DoD have championed the development of standardized Common Data Elements (CDEs) and the Open Data Commons for TBI (ODC-TBI), a centralized repository for harmonized datasets. These initiatives aim to improve data interoperability, enable cross-study comparisons, and identify which acute measures—biomarkers, imaging, behavioral outcomes—best predict injury severity and therapeutic response. By aligning preclinical and clinical definitions of TBI severity, we can accelerate the identification of effective interventions and improve the fidelity of bench-to-bedside translation.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S10 - Chair

Candace Floyd, Dr.

Candace Floyd, Dr.

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S10.01 - Improving Rigor and Reproducibility by Leveraging Data Sets Across Institutions: A Case Study.

Gene Gurkoff, Professor

Gene Gurkoff, Professor

4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S10.02 - Leveraging Large Samples in the Open-data Commons to Create a Personalized Medicine Approach to Assessing Injury Severity in Pre-clinical Studies

Russell Huie, Dr.

Russell Huie, Dr.

4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S10.03 - Putting the M Inside Preclinical Research – Why Subject Modifiers are as Important in Pre-clinical Models as in our Patients

Pamela VandeVord, Professor

Pamela VandeVord, Professor

4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S10.04 - fergBig Data and Analytics – How Data in the Open Data Commons can Help your Lab Enter the Era of New Approach Methods (NAM)

Adam Ferguson, Dr.

Adam Ferguson, Dr.

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S11 - Contextualizing Novel Tools and Applications of Blood-based Biomarkers and Trajectories in Post-acute and Chronic Neurotrauma Patients.

Session Description:

This symposium will focus on increasing our understanding of TBI and SCI recovery trajectories by utilizing novel technical approaches such as high multiplex proteomic platforms, capillary and dry blood samples as well as machine learning data analysis. Current clinical TBI classification, including the new classification framework (CBI-M) and regulatory approved biofluid biomarkers, focuses mainly on the acute phase of TBI. Long-term variability, secondary condition risk assessment, and differences in responsiveness to rehabilitation have made it challenging to establish effective therapeutic pathways that personalize and optimize function and recovery. Here we will present state of the art and complimentary preclinical and clinical approaches and findings in identifying key variants in post-acute chronic blood-based biomarkers associated with neurotrauma severity and morbidity, as well as recovery potential and treatment responsiveness. This session will be partially sponsored by the Chinese Neurotrauma Scholar Association (CNSA).

 

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S11 - Chair

Firas Kobaissy, Professor

Firas Kobaissy, Professor

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S11 - Chair

Grace Griesbach, Dr.

Grace Griesbach, Dr.

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm

S11 .01 - Studying the Biomarker Trajectory in Preclinical TBI Models; Lesson learning from the TOP-NT Consortium Project.

Kevin Wang, Professor

Kevin Wang, Professor

4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S11.02 - Identifying High-Multiplex Biomarker Signature in Addressing Broader Chronic Neurotrauma Pathophysiology and Morbidity in a Real-World Clinical Setting.

Grace Griesbach, Dr.

Grace Griesbach, Dr.

4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S11.03 - Biomarker Patterns and Longitudinal Trajectory Among Severe-moderate TBI Patients.

Amy Wagner, Professor

Amy Wagner, Professor

4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S11.04 - The INFORM-TBI Vision: Building a Global Framework for Biomarker Validation and Clinical Implementation.

Ramon Diaz-arrastia, Professor

Ramon Diaz-arrastia, Professor

3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

(SESSION)S12 - Neuromodulation in Neurotrauma: Novel Approaches to Enhance Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Session Description

Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents multifaceted challenges for recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term quality of life. Despite decades of research, effective therapeutic strategies remain limited. Electrical neuromodulation has recently emerged as a promising approach to enhance neuroplasticity, promote regeneration, and improve functional outcomes in individuals living with SCI. By modulating neural circuits through targeted stimulation, these techniques offer new possibilities for restoring movement, sensation, and autonomic function.
This mini symposium aims to bring together leading researchers and clinicians working across experimental and translational domains to present recent advances in electrical neuromodulation for SCI. The session will highlight innovative applications of stimulation technologies in rodent and large animal models, as well as in human clinical settings. Topics will include transcranial and spinal stimulation, development of novel bioelectronic interfaces, and strategies for bridging preclinical and clinical research.


In addition to showcasing cutting-edge science, the symposium will offer practical insights into implementing neuromodulation protocols in laboratory and rehabilitation environments. Speakers will discuss methodological considerations, challenges in device design and delivery, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. A moderated discussion will invite reflection on translational barriers and future directions in the field.


Our goal is to foster meaningful dialogue among neuroscientists, engineers, clinicians, and trainees, and to accelerate the development of neuromodulation-based interventions for SCI. By integrating perspectives across model systems and clinical practice, we hope to advance the field of neurotrauma and contribute to more effective, personalized approaches to recovery.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S12 - Chair

Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr.

Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr.

3:30 pm - 3:40 pm

S12 - Chair

Carolyn Sparrey, Assoc. Professor

Carolyn Sparrey, Assoc. Professor

4:00 pm - 4:20 pm

S12.02 - Insights from Non-Human Primate Studies Using Epidural Stimulation to Restore Motor Function, With Implications for Human Translation.

Nicolo Macellari, Dr.

Nicolo Macellari, Dr.

4:20 pm - 4:40 pm

S12.03 - Development of Novel Electrodes for Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation and Advances in Bioelectronic Interfaces and Electrode Technologies Designed to Improve Specificity, Durability, and Biocompatibility.

Shadi Dayeh, Prof.

Shadi Dayeh, Prof.

4:40 pm - 5:00 pm

S12.04 - Clinical Applications of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation, Including Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation and Paired Associative Stimulation.

Soshi Samejima, Dr.

Soshi Samejima, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

(SESSION)Tuesday - Exhibition and Poster Reception - Poster Group B (POB)

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

A Chemically Gated Platform for Precise Control of Viral Gene Expression in the Central Nervous System

Zimei Wang, Dr.

Zimei Wang, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

A Nationwide Study Exploring Factors Associated With Unplanned Intubation Following Severe Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

A Novel Molecular Strategy for Strong, Cell-Autonomous Activation of Regenerative JAK/STAT Signaling in Corticospinal Tract Neurons

Murray Blackmore, Dr.

Murray Blackmore, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

A Weighted K-Nearest Neighbor Machine Learning Approach for Parcellating Brain Cortical Functional Regions in Finite Element Head Models

Haojie Mao, Dr.

Haojie Mao, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Action Collaborative on Traumatic Brain Injury Care: Longitudinal Patient Characteristics From an Early Single-Center Post-Acute Clinic

Diego Martell, Mr.

Diego Martell, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Acute CT Findings and Their Relation to Outcome in a Large Prospective Norwegian Cohort of Patients With Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Halvor Solheim, Mr.

Halvor Solheim, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Acute Changes in Circulating MicroRNAs Indicate Neuronal Stress Following Repetitive Sub-Concussive Blast: INVICTA Study

Daniela Lecca, Dr.

Daniela Lecca, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Acute Imaging Strategy Patterns in Screened Emergency Department Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Justin Desprebiteres, Mr

Justin Desprebiteres, Mr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Acute Physiological Effects of Diffuse Rotational Traumatic Brain Injury in Yucatan Miniature Swine

Ahmed Altaf, Dr

Ahmed Altaf, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Adult Hypertension as a Clinically-Relevant Comorbidity Augmenting Cognitive Deficits, Anxiety, and Pathological Outcomes After TBI in Pediatric and Adult Rats

Ainsley Kindred, Ms.

Ainsley Kindred, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Advancing Global Data Sharing and Harmonization in TBI: Results from The International InTBIR Data Science and Harmonization Working Group

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Age-Adjusted Normative Data Improves Interpretation of Serum Neurofilament Light Associations with Neurologic and Extracranial Injury After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Cheryl Wellington, Dr

Cheryl Wellington, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Alterations in Cerebral Blood Flow Associated with White Matter Hyperintensities Following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Anna Mueller, Ms.

Anna Mueller, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Antagonist of Cellular Prion Protein Protects Learning and Memory in a Mouse Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr.

Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Association of Systemic Hospital Complications with Functional Disability After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study

Leila Etemad, Ms.

Leila Etemad, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Astrocytic Tau Pathology Differentiates Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury

Alicia Bea Feichtenbiner, Miss

Alicia Bea Feichtenbiner, Miss

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Axonal Stretch Injury Induces Oma1 Activation and Disrupts Mitochondrial Dynamics

Reagan Speas, Ms.

Reagan Speas, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Beyond Glasgow Coma Scale: Applying the Comprehensive Brain Injury Model to Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Jai Trivedi, Mr.

Jai Trivedi, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Biomechanical Features of Head Impact Exposure Associated with Clinical Changes in Uninjured Contact Sport Athletes

Brian Stemper, Dr.

Brian Stemper, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Brain Injury & Inflammatory Biomarker Trajectory Variations in Surgical Approaches

John Fedak, Mr.

John Fedak, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

C3 and CD14 Are Structure-Specific Regulators of Acute Microglial Neuroinflammation in a Murine TBI+polytrauma Model

Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr.

Francesco Roselli, Professor, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

CT-Independent Mortality Prediction After Traumatic Brain Injury Using Soft-Voting Machine Learning: A Multicenter Study

Kazuya Matsuo, DR.

Kazuya Matsuo, DR.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Cellular Prion Protein Deletion Affects Gene Expression and is Neuroprotective in a Repetitive Head Injury Model

Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr.

Timi Akinwunmi-williams, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Cerebellar Gray Matter Volume and Associated Outcomes in Balance in Athletes with Repetitive Head Impact

Nishta Amin, Ms.

Nishta Amin, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Characterizing the Immune Response in SCI Treated with FPLG

Daniela Garcia Prada, Mrs.

Daniela Garcia Prada, Mrs.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Chronic Microvascular Disruption Is Associated With Traumatic Brain Injury

Aaron Gallagher, Dr.

Aaron Gallagher, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Chronic Pain Following Mild Concussive-like Injury: Development of a Rat Model

Eric J. Sánchez Ayala, Mr.

Eric J. Sánchez Ayala, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Clinical Trial of Inhaled Nitric Oxide for Treatment of Microvascular Dysfunction in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: Preliminary Report

Samuel Shin, Dr

Samuel Shin, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Closed-Head Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury Alters the Gut Microbiome in Female Pigs

Caela C. Long, Dr

Caela C. Long, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Cluster Analysis of TBI Serum Biomarker Trajectories Identifies Critical Care Subgroups Predicting Global Outcome and Quality of Life

Tayo Obafemi-ajayi, Dr.

Tayo Obafemi-ajayi, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Co-Expression of 3R and 4R Tau Increases Synaptic Density and Preserves Cognition After Closed Head Injury in Mice

Joseph Fajobi, Mr

Joseph Fajobi, Mr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Cognitive Decline Following Mid-Life and Later-Life Traumatic Brain Injury: Evidence from the Framingham Heart Study.

Natalie Jenkins, Dr.

Natalie Jenkins, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Concussive Injury Modulates Neurogenesis and Circuit Function in Human Forebrain Organoids

Razieh Jaberi, Dr

Razieh Jaberi, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Data Field Transformation for Formatting Harmonization in Traumatic Brain Injury Studies Using Micro Large Language Models

Patrick Belton, Dr.

Patrick Belton, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Delirium After Traumatic Brain Injury: High Prevalence, Low Recognition in Older Adults

David Castro, Mr.

David Castro, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Designing and Characterizing an MRI compatible Rat Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Model

Ariell Dunkley, Ms.

Ariell Dunkley, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Differential Roles of Endothelial and Phagocytic MERTK in Regulating Secondary Injury After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Allison Porter, Ms.

Allison Porter, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Differentiating Concussion-Related and Organic Phenotypes of Depression in Former Collegiate Athletes: A CARE-SALTOS Integrated Study-Based Analysis

Mitchell Andersson, Dr

Mitchell Andersson, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Diffuse Axonal Injury Persists in the Posterior Cortex One Month Post-Injury in a Gyrencephalic Model of Blast + Rotational TBI

Oliver L'Esperance, Dr.

Oliver L'Esperance, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Early Changes in Hippocampal Network Oscillations Predict Long-Term Seizure Burden and Cognitive Impairments across Distinct Injury Models.

Ali Izadi, Dr.

Ali Izadi, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Early Chronic Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Sequalae 5-10 Years Following Repetitive Neurotrauma Exposure in Collegiate Athletes and Military Cadets.

Benjamin Brett, Dr.

Benjamin Brett, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Early Insomnia Severity Is a Predictor of 12-Month Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes in GCS 14–15 Traumatic Brain Injury

Kathryn Park, Ms.

Kathryn Park, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Effective Cognitive Rehabilitation for Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats Is Associated With Diffusion Restriction Metrics in Limbic Regions

Corey Stewart, Mr.

Corey Stewart, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Effects of Oxycodone Exposure after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Maykeling Arauz, Ms.

Maykeling Arauz, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Effects of Pre-existing Angiotensin II–Induced Hypertension on Acute TBI-Induced Neuropathology in Mice

Dominic Nthenge-Ngumbau, Dr.

Dominic Nthenge-Ngumbau, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Elevated Intracranial Pressure Alters Astrocyte-Related Protein Expression, Localization, and Solute Clearance Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

Emily Seay, Ms.

Emily Seay, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Environmental Drivers of Rod Microglia Morphology in the Brain-Injured Cortex

Jenna McCloskey, Ms.

Jenna McCloskey, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Examining Regionally Specified Spinal Neural Progenitor Cells and Targeted Forelimb Rehabilitation in Enhancing Recovery After Bilateral Compressive-Contusive Cervical Cord Injury

Aysu Kollu, Ms

Aysu Kollu, Ms

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Examining the Influence of Neurotrauma History and Obesity on Cerebral Blood Flow in Former NFL Players at Late Life

Alexa Hutzenbiler, Dr.

Alexa Hutzenbiler, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Examining the Relationship Between Hypercapnea and ICP in Critically Ill Patients after TBI

Kenneth Fond, Mr

Kenneth Fond, Mr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Factors Associated With Spinal Cord Injury Among Adults With Vertebral Fractures: A National Trauma Data Bank Analysis

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.

Jarair Tahsin, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Feasibility of Implementing a Stakeholder-Developed Precision Medicine Dashboard for Post-Acute Traumatic Brain Injury: TBI-BRIDGE

Cathra Halabi, Dr.

Cathra Halabi, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Female Mice Exhibit Amplified Cortical Metabolic Responses Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Anastasia Georges, Mrs.

Anastasia Georges, Mrs.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

From Acute Injury to PTSD: A Translational Study on Early Biological and Cognitive Predictors in Trauma Patients

Stephen Ferrando, Dr.

Stephen Ferrando, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Headache Burden Independently Predicts Impairment in Cognitive Performance in Persisting Post-Concussion Symptoms

Rida Ismail, Ms.

Rida Ismail, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

How Many Hit Matters? Defining the Threshold for Tau Mediated Degeneration after Repetitive Traumatic Axonal Injuries In-Vitro

Subash Bhandari, Dr.

Subash Bhandari, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Human Multicellular In Vitro Brain Models Reveal How Injury Severity Drives Distinct Neurodegenerative Trajectories.

Volha Liaudanskaya, Dr

Volha Liaudanskaya, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Human iPSC-Derived Tissue Engineered Spinal Tracts Promote Axonal Extension and Integration Following Spinal Cord Injury

Justin Burrell, Dr.

Justin Burrell, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Hydrogen Inhalation Attenuates Oxidative Stress After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Yan Dong, Dr.

Yan Dong, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

IL-1β/IL1Recptor-1 Signaling Mediates Synaptic Dysfunction and Cognitive Deficits After

Limin Wu, Dr

Limin Wu, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Identifying Motor Responders to Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury

Emily Haag, Ms

Emily Haag, Ms

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Impaired Intraspinal Hemodynamics and Neurovascular Unit in the Chronically Injured Spinal Cord

Preeja Chandran, Dr

Preeja Chandran, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Implantable Flexible Head-Mounted Circuit Interface for Neural Recording and Stimulation in Freely Moving Spinal Cord–Injured Mice

Ahnsei Shon, Dr.

Ahnsei Shon, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Implementation of a Standardized Framework to Mitigate Challenges in Imaging Repository Organization for Large Multisite Studies

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.

Christine Gotthardt, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Institutional ICU Admission Criteria in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A TRACK-TBI Survey Study

Neel Jani, Dr.

Neel Jani, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Interleukin 6–Mediated Disruption of Neuronal Adrenergic Signaling during Mild-to-Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Nurul Sulimai, Dr.

Nurul Sulimai, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Intranasal Hypocretin Reorganizes Glia-Neuron Microcircuitry After Traumatic Brain Injury

Nikolaas Steele, Mr.

Nikolaas Steele, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Investigating Neuroinflammatory Signatures of Neurobehavioral and Cognitive Impairment in Traumatic brain Injury

Joyce Opara, Dr

Joyce Opara, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Kinematic Analysis of Closed Head Injury in Mice Using Markerless Motion Capture Reveal Contact and Inertial Effects on Functional Outcomes

Raymond Yeung, Dr.

Raymond Yeung, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Liposomal Dexamethasone Delivery Reduces Neuroinflammation and Amyloid Pathology in APP/PS1 Mice Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Goknur Kara, Dr.

Goknur Kara, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Lysophosphatidylcholine Drives Post-Recanalization "No-Reflow" via Pericyte Dysfunction in Ischemic Stroke

Chunyan Li, Associate Professor

Chunyan Li, Associate Professor

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Machine Learning Factor Analysis Reveals Injury-Induced Multi-Compartment Inflammatory Heterogeneity and Its Therapeutic Attenuation After Controlled Cortical Impact

Brock Gjesdal, Mr.

Brock Gjesdal, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Microglia Turnover Modulates Behavioral Outcomes After Early Life Stress and Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Kathryn Lenz, Dr.

Kathryn Lenz, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Modeling Blast Traumatic Brain Injury Using a Bioengineered 3D Neural Tissue Platform

Ashutosh Yende, Dr.

Ashutosh Yende, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Modeling CTE-Associated Pathological Features: A Human 3D In Vitro Triculture System for Mild Repetitive Injury.

Sunghyun Jun, Dr.

Sunghyun Jun, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Modeling Central Nervous System Polytrauma: Development of a Rodent Model of Concomitant Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury

Shannon Kafura, Ms

Shannon Kafura, Ms

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Multi-Omics Identify Unique Protein Signature of Repeated Traumatic Brain Injury in Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid

Sarah Svirsky, Dr.

Sarah Svirsky, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Multi-scale High-Definition Fiber Tractography Reveals Persistent Corpus Callosum Network Disruptions in Pre-clinical and Clinical Mild TBI.

Eleni Moschonas, Dr.

Eleni Moschonas, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Multiomic miRNA–Proteomic Profiling Identifies Biomarkers of Neurological Outcome After Traumatic Brain Injury

Katie Edwards, Dr.

Katie Edwards, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Multisensory 40 Hz Gamma Stimulation Modulates Glymphatic Transport Recovery Following TBI

Daniel Zhang, Mr.

Daniel Zhang, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neurobehavioral and Electrophysiological Markers of Cognitive Control During Neuromodulation After Traumatic Brain Injury: Interim Results From the SMART Study

David Darrow, Dr.

David Darrow, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neuroimmune Modulation of Sleep After Traumatic Brain Injury: Effects of Microglial Depletion and Repopulation

Gabriel Nah, Dr.

Gabriel Nah, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neurological Blood-Based Biomarkers of Chronic Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence Caused Brain Injury – Preliminary Study

Mohammad Ghodsi, Mr.

Mohammad Ghodsi, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neuronal LRP1 Deletion Mitigates Lipid-Peroxidation Driven Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Preserves Metabolic Flexibility in TBI

Velmurugan Gopal Viswanathan, Dr

Velmurugan Gopal Viswanathan, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neuronal LRP1 Regulates TBI-Induced TNFR1 Translocation, Activity and Amyloidosis

Michelle Taylor, Ms.

Michelle Taylor, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Neuronal p38α Knockout Protects Against Neurological Consequences Following Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Levi Wood, Dr.

Levi Wood, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Older Veterans Presenting to a VA Emergency Department versus Patients Presenting to Trauma Centers with Acute Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Mikaila Cutone-Dion, Ms.

Mikaila Cutone-Dion, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Optical Characterization of Cerebral Pulsatility During Postural Intracranial Pressure Changes: A Feasibility Study

Farah Kamar, Ms.

Farah Kamar, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Phenotypes and Clustering Patterns of Infiltrating B Cells after Contusive Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

Alyssa Franklin, Ms.

Alyssa Franklin, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Photobiomodulation Therapy Promotes Recovery of Cortical Functioning During Cognitive Performance in Patients With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Feasibility Study

Hope Nyarady, Miss.

Hope Nyarady, Miss.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Phrenic Afferent Activity After C2 Hemisection and Diaphragm Pacing

Felix Sanchez, Mr.

Felix Sanchez, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Phrenic Proprioceptor Activation Induces Plasticity and Is Associated With c-Fos Activation Within the Phrenic Motor Nucleus

Haylee Hulihee, Ms.

Haylee Hulihee, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Post-TBI Sensitivity of the Auditory and Vestibular Systems to Intense Noise Exposure

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.

Suhrud Rajguru, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Predictors of Patient Satisfaction with Emergency Department Care Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Survey-Based Study

Temitayo Okusanya, Ms.,

Temitayo Okusanya, Ms.,

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Prefrontal Cortex Injury Drives Neuroinflammation in the Nucleus Accumbens while Microglial Turnover Worsens Injury-driven Impulsivity

Erskine Chu, Dr.

Erskine Chu, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Protein Panels and Pathways Related to Persisting Post-Concussion Symptom Domains in Adolescents

Arum Lim, Dr.

Arum Lim, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Putting a Damper on TBI: Identifying Injury-Derived Progressive Transcriptional Regulation Occurring within Midbrain Inhibitory GABAergic Neuron Populations

Kathleen Specht, Ms.

Kathleen Specht, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Reliability of Self-Reported Traumatic Brain Injury Over 25 Years

Sabrina Abbruzzese, Ms.

Sabrina Abbruzzese, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Reorganization of Intrinsic Neural Oscillations Underlies Symptom Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury: Evidence from Neurodynamic Modeling of the TRACK-TBI Cohort

Taotao Wu, Dr.

Taotao Wu, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Role of Neuronal CCR5 in Spinal Cord Injury

Emma Augustine, Ms.

Emma Augustine, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Schwann Cell Growth Properties in Collagen Mesh Implant for Cauda Equina Repair

Kirsten Krick, Ms.

Kirsten Krick, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Selective Alteration of Astrocytes in Post-Traumatic Epilepsy

Samuel Husarik, Mr.

Samuel Husarik, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Severe High-Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury Disrupts Acute Autonomic Function: Cardiovascular, Temperature, and Activity Implications

Sajeev Kaur, Dr.

Sajeev Kaur, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex Differences in Stress-Primed Responses to Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury Reveal Distinct Molecular Injury Signatures

Pamela VandeVord, Professor

Pamela VandeVord, Professor

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex- and Stress-Dependent Relationships With NOP Receptor Modulation on Cerebral Blood Flow and Neurotrophin Signaling After Traumatic Brain Injury

Panini Patankar, Dr

Panini Patankar, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex-Differences in Microglial Neuronal Interaction after TBI

Karinn Sytsma, Ms.

Karinn Sytsma, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex-Specific Glial Remodeling and Sleep Fragmentation Disrupt Growth Hormone Signaling After Juvenile Traumatic Brain Injury

Joseph Muckle, Mr

Joseph Muckle, Mr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sex-Specific Neuroimmune Responses to TBI Following Inhibition of MIF/CD74 Signaling in Mice

Alexis McAlister, Ms.

Alexis McAlister, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sexual Arousal Measurement in Women with Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study Using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging

Elizabeth Bottorff, Dr.

Elizabeth Bottorff, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Sleep Deprivation After Traumatic Brain Injury Reveals Selective Hypothalamic Inflammatory Signaling

François Labadie, Mr.

François Labadie, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Synergistic Effects of Nicotine and Oral Contraceptive Exposure on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in Female Rats.

Ami Raval, Dr

Ami Raval, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

TBI-Induced solTNF/TNFR1 Activity Promotes Amyloid Beta Generation and Neurological Deficits, without Impacting Microglial Phagocytosis of Amyloid Beta

Kirsty Dixon, Dr.

Kirsty Dixon, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Targeting Microbial Poly-N-acetylglucosamine Reduces Neuroinflammation and Improves Neurological Outcomes Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Hongmei Yang, Dr.

Hongmei Yang, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

The COVID Effect: National Changes in Neurotrauma Injury Patterns, Imaging, and Resource Utilization in U.S. Emergency Departments

Azeez Abdul, Mr.

Azeez Abdul, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

The Prevalence of Multiple Concussions in Professional Football Players: A Scoping Review

Ryan Luke Sodemann, Mr.

Ryan Luke Sodemann, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

The Renin–Angiotensin System Mediates Vascular Remodeling Following Spinal Cord Injury

Christopher Foote, Dr.

Christopher Foote, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

The Unprotected Epidemic: Escalating Incidence and Clinical Severity of E-Scooter Related Traumatic Brain Injury

Katarina Cook, Ms

Katarina Cook, Ms

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Time-Dependent Alterations in HPA Axis Regulation Following Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

Theresa Currier Thomas, Dr

Theresa Currier Thomas, Dr

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Toward Clinical Implementation of Blood Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury: Analytical Harmonization and Reference Standard Development in the INFORM-TBI Consortium

Ava Puccio, Dr.

Ava Puccio, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Transcranial Neuromodulation for Epileptogenesis Prevention in the Sleep-Disrupted Injured Brain

Md Adil Arman, Mr.

Md Adil Arman, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Transcriptional Profiling and Immunohistological Assessments of Thalamic Glia During the Subacute Phase of Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury in Swine

Radina Lilova, Ms.

Radina Lilova, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Transcriptional Profiling of Spinal Cord Macrophages Following Treatment with LPS-MSC-Derived Nanovesicles

Gabriela Brown, Ms.

Gabriela Brown, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Translational Trauma Model Defines Dose-Response, Repair Mechanisms, and Biomarkers of Adenosine Receptor Agonist AST-004 in Human Astrocytes

Ina B. Wanner, Dr.

Ina B. Wanner, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury During Pregnancy Risks Synapse Loss and Early Communication Behavior in Exposed Offspring

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.

Brenda E. Lujan, Mrs.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury Results in Severely Disrupted axons in the Cerebellar Cortex

Sharon Juliano, Dr.

Sharon Juliano, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury and HSV-1 Infection Interact To Alter Post-Injury Sleep Architecture in Mice

Alyson R. Stewart, Ms.

Alyson R. Stewart, Ms.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Traumatic Brain Injury and Sleep Disruption Converge To Promote Alzheimer’s-Related Protein Pathology

Matias Mendez, Mr.

Matias Mendez, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

UCHL1 Mutations Protect Against Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Impulsive-Like Behaviors and Neuropathic Pain

Dakota Robison, Mr.

Dakota Robison, Mr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

Usage of AI for PubMed Analysis in Preclinical Traumatic Brain Injury Abstracts

C. Edward Dixon, Dr.

C. Edward Dixon, Dr.

5:15 pm - 7:00 pm

“It’s Not Free to Pee.” – Development of NOVO-120 for the Treatment of Bladder and Sensory-Motor Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury in Male and Female Rats.

Michael Kyweriga, Dr.

Michael Kyweriga, Dr.

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

(SESSION)Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Wednesday

June 17, 2026
8:00 am - 9:30 am

(SESSION)PL03: Harnessing Sensory Afferents to Restore Function After Spinal Cord Injury: From Breathing to Bladder and Beyond

Session Description:

Restoration of function after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a major goal in spinal cord injury research. A growing body of evidence highlights the powerful role of sensory afferents in driving neuroplasticity and promoting functional recovery. This symposium will bring together a diverse panel of investigators who are advancing our understanding of how targeted activation of sensory afferents can be leveraged to restore critical physiological and motor functions including breathing, locomotion, and bladder control following SCI.


Dr. Paloma Bittencourt-Silva will discuss recent work demonstrating that phrenic nerve and diaphragm stimulation can engage sensory afferents to enhance respiratory motor output and improve breathing after cervical SCI. Dr. Erica Dale will highlight how epidural spinal stimulation can recruit afferent pathways to promote respiratory plasticity and function. Extending beyond breathing, Dr. Aaron Mickle will present findings on how selective activation of afferents can improve bladder control and autonomic function after SCI. Finally, Dr. Andrew Spence will discuss how afferent stimulation strategies can facilitate locomotor recovery through modulation of spinal networks.


Together, these talks will showcase converging evidence that sensory afferent activation represents a powerful and underutilized therapeutic target to promote recovery across multiple systems. The session will stimulate discussion on mechanistic underpinnings, translational challenges, and future directions for afferent-targeted interventions to improve quality of life after SCI.

8:00 am - 8:10 am

PL03 - Chair

Felix Sanchez, Mr.

Felix Sanchez, Mr.

8:00 am - 8:10 am

PL03 - Chair

Kristi Streeter, Assistant Professor

Kristi Streeter, Assistant Professor

8:10 am - 8:30 am

PL03.01 - Activating Phrenic Afferents to Enhance Respiratory Recovery after Cervical SCI

Paloma Bittencourt-Silva, Dr.

Paloma Bittencourt-Silva, Dr.

8:30 am - 8:50 am

PL03.02 - Afferent Contributions to Epidural Stimulation-induced Respiratory Neuroplasticity

Erica Dale, Dr.

Erica Dale, Dr.

8:50 am - 9:10 am

PL03.03 - Targeted Neuromodulation of Sensory Neurons for Improvement of the Lower Urinary Tract Function Following SCI

Aaron Mickle, Associate Professor

Aaron Mickle, Associate Professor

9:10 am - 9:30 am

PL03.04 - Chemogenetic Afferent stimulation with Treadmill Training to Promote Plasticity and Locomotor Function after SCI

Andrew Spence, Professor

Andrew Spence, Professor

9:30 am - 10:00 am

(SESSION)PG02 - Poster Group B I Day 2

10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S13 - Vascular Responses to Neurotrauma

Session Description:

The neurovascular system plays a critical role in both the acute and chronic responses to brain and spinal cord injury. This session will explore how trauma disrupts vascular integrity, alters cerebral blood flow, and contributes to secondary injury cascades that shape long-term outcomes. Presentations will integrate clinical and preclinical perspectives to highlight how structural and functional imaging, histopathological assessment, and biomarker studies reveal key features of vascular and blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction after neurotrauma.


Speakers will discuss advances in neuroimaging approaches to visualize vascular injury in vivo, including high-resolution MRI and advanced ultrasound imaging techniques that capture brain and spinal cord blood flow as well as microvascular hemodynamics. Pathological analyses will detail cellular and molecular changes in the vasculature - ranging from endothelial damage and pericyte loss to inflammatory, metabolic, and mitochondrial contributions to vascular dysfunction.


By bridging translational research across traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI), this session aims to identify common mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities that target vascular dysfunction and enable neuroprotection. Attendees will gain a comprehensive view of how vascular pathology influences neural recovery and how emerging tools can be leveraged to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention strategies after neurotrauma.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S13 - Chair

Brad Hubbard, Dr.

Brad Hubbard, Dr.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S13 - Chair

Zin Khaing, Dr.

Zin Khaing, Dr.

10:10 am - 10:30 am

S13.01 - Vascular and BBB Pathology After SCI

Zin Khaing, Dr.

Zin Khaing, Dr.

10:30 am - 10:50 am

S13.02 - Mitochondrial-related Vascular Changes After Blast TBI

Brad Hubbard, Dr.

Brad Hubbard, Dr.

10:50 am - 11:10 am

S13.03 - Clinical Biomarkers and Perivascular Changes After TBI

Danielle Sandsmark, Dr.

Danielle Sandsmark, Dr.

11:00 am - 11:30 am

S13.04 - MRI-based Perfusion Imaging in Neurotrauma

Matthew Budde, Dr.

Matthew Budde, Dr.

10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S14 - Understanding White Matter Dynamics Linking Mild TBI and Psychiatric Burden: Insights from Advanced Neuroimaging and Therapeutic Development

Session Description

Damage to and degeneration of white matter are particularly consequential, given its critical role in communication between brain regions. Emerging evidence suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychiatric burden are linked to white matter damage through overlapping yet distinct biological processes. However, how these processes differ, evolve over time, and relate to functional outcomes remains unclear, as few in-vivo imaging methods can independently detect these subtle changes.

This session features an integrated framework of cross-sectional and longitudinal neuroimaging approaches to assess white matter microstructural brain health. Spanning clinical cohorts, MRI modalities, and preclinical models, this collaborative platform highlights how white matter disruption evolves over time, contributes to functional and clinical outcomes, and informs therapeutic development. The first presentation will introduce the biological interpretability of longitudinal white matter microstructural changes following concussion in a juvenile rodent model. The second will transition to human clinical mTBI, presenting longitudinal data from the TRACK-TBI study and emphasizing “what the injury brings to the brain, and what the brain brings to the injury.” The third will build on this framework by examining TBI-related changes in white matter integrity in a longitudinal cohort of trauma survivors. The fourth will extend these concepts to Veterans, presenting longitudinal evidence of tissue contrast changes, with trajectories varying by neurotrauma history and demonstrating accelerated age-related decline in the presence of psychiatric conditions. The final presentation will return to a preclinical perspective, highlighting potential white matter-related therapeutic targets and reinforcing the translational relevance of these findings.

Across these datasets, regionally specific alterations provide converging evidence of neural vulnerability across injury mechanisms, psychiatric burden, and aging. These presentations underscore the translational potential of harmonized, cross-cohort imaging approaches to link white matter characteristics with functional outcomes and therapeutic insight.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S14 - Chair

Megan Huibregtse, Dr.

Megan Huibregtse, Dr.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S14 - Chair

Madeleine Nowak, Dr.

Madeleine Nowak, Dr.

10:10 am - 10:25 am

S14.01 - Lifespan Diffusion MRI Monitoring of White Matter in a Juvenile Mouse Model of Concussion

Andre Obenaus, Dr.

Andre Obenaus, Dr.

10:25 am - 10:40 am

S14.02 - White Matter Changes in Patients from the TRACK-TBI Study: What the Injury Brings to the Brain, and What the Brain Brings to the Injury

Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr.

Lanya Tianhao Cai, Dr.

10:40 am - 10:55 am

S14.03 - Trauma-related Changes in Diffusion Metrics Across Post-traumatic Recovery and Associations with Symptoms Over Time: Findings from the AURORA Study

Megan Huibregtse, Dr.

Megan Huibregtse, Dr.

10:55 am - 11:10 am

S14.04 - Longitudinal Trajectories of Cortical Interface and White Matter Health in Veterans with mTBI and Psychiatric Disorders

Madeleine Nowak, Dr.

Madeleine Nowak, Dr.

11:10 am - 11:25 am

S14.05 - Acute Treatment for Axon Damage and White Matter Degeneration in Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Regina Armstrong, Dr.

Regina Armstrong, Dr.

10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S15 - Bridging Circuit-Behavior Dysfunction in Preclinical TBI with Advanced Brain Recording Methods

Session Description:

Modern neuroscience emphasizes neural circuits. Historically, preclinical TBI has focused on the location of injury and pathology as well as the specific type or model of injury. However, understanding precisely how injury affects interconnected circuits as well as how adaptation during recovery alters the function of these circuits will be critical to developing meaningful treatments. Measurements of circuit function require appropriate targeted behavioral measurements to enable the use of this high-resolution data. The current session will describe advances in these areas to enable circuit-focused and translational models of preclinical TBI.


Miranda Koloski (University of California-San Diego, confirmed) will present results from multi-site electrode arrays to better understand impaired behavioral flexibility after injury. Neil Harris (University of California-Los Angeles, confirmed) will describe the use of functional ultrasound imaging to capture brain-wide dynamics after concussion during a head-fixed discrimination task. Cole Vonder Haar (Ohio State University, confirmed) will show behavioral and on-task fiber photometry data that identifies the nucleus accumbens as a locus of reward-learning deficits. John Wolf (University of Pennsylvania, confirmed) will present high-density electrophysiology data from awake, behaving rats and pigs following TBI.

At the conclusion of this session, attendees will have a better understanding of how modern methods for brain recording can be applied to questions of circuit dysfunction after TBI.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S15 - Chair

Cole Vonder Haar, Dr.

Cole Vonder Haar, Dr.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S15 - Chair

Lindsay Nelson, Professor

Lindsay Nelson, Professor

10:10 am - 10:30 am

S15.01 - Examining Disrupted Structure and Network Function in Cortico-striatal Circuits After TBI

Miranda Koloski, Dr.

Miranda Koloski, Dr.

10:30 am - 10:50 am

S15.02 - Capturing Simultaneous Behavior and Circuit Dysfunction During and After Repeat Concussion in the Mouse with Functional Ultrasound

Neil Harris, Professor

Neil Harris, Professor

10:50 am - 11:10 am

S15.03 -Real-time Calcium Activity Reveals Nucleus Accumbens Dysfunction After Frontal Injury   

Cole Vonder Haar, Dr.

Cole Vonder Haar, Dr.

11:00 am - 11:30 am

S15.04 - Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Limbic Circuit Dysfunction following TBI: High-Density Electrophysiology During Motivated Behavior in Rats and Pigs

John Wolf, Dr.

John Wolf, Dr.

10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S16 - Unraveling Sleep and Circadian Pathways in Neurotrauma

Session Description

Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances are nearly universal after brain injury, yet their role in neural repair and recovery remains underrecognized. Beyond contributing to fatigue and cognitive slowing, disrupted sleep actively influences neural circuit function, neuroinflammation, and immune regulation; key processes that govern both early outcomes and long-term recovery.

Organized by trainees from underrepresented backgrounds, this trainee-led symposium integrates mechanistic and translational perspectives to examine how sleep and circadian biology can be leveraged to promote recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Emerging evidence demonstrates that improving sleep quality, timing, and structure can directly influence these mechanisms, positioning sleep as a promising therapeutic target. Experimental studies using non-invasive modulation of cortical excitability reveal how repetitive brain injury alters sleep-dependent network dynamics, while advanced actigraphy now enables precise assessment of sleep fragmentation and circadian misalignment across species. Clinically, poor sleep is an independent predictor of persistent post-concussion symptoms and may exacerbate stress-related immune responses, including viral reactivation.

Alyson Stewart will discuss sleep disruption–induced reactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 after TBI. Ian Díaz Nieves will examine MCH neuron dysfunction in the lateral hypothalamus following mild TBI. Rebecca Boland will describe microglial contributions to the neuroimmune environment under combined TBI and sleep fragmentation. Nija White will present how repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation influences sleep efficiency and astrogliosis via adenosine metabolism. Rida Ismail will highlight the clinical impact of poor sleep on persistent post-concussion syndrome. A concluding panel will bridge laboratory insights with translational and clinical applications.

10:10 am - 10:25 am

S16.01 - Sleep Disruption as a Driver of HSV-1 Reactivation After Traumatic Brain Injury

Alyson R. Stewart, Ms.

Alyson R. Stewart, Ms.

10:25 am - 10:40 am

S16.02 - Understanding the Contribution of Hypothalamic MCH Neurons in Sleep Disruptions After mild TBI 

Ian Diaz Nieves, Mr.

Ian Diaz Nieves, Mr.

10:40 am - 10:55 am

S16.03 - Defining Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury with Sleep Fragmentation

Rebecca Boland, Ms.

Rebecca Boland, Ms.

10:55 am - 11:10 am

S16.04 - Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Sleep and Astrogliosis Following Repetitive Traumatic Brain Injury

Nija White, Ms.

Nija White, Ms.

11:10 am - 11:25 am

S16.05 - Integrating Sleep Metrics and Neuromodulation to Predict Recovery after Concussion

Rida Ismail, Ms.

Rida Ismail, Ms.

12:00 am - 12:00 am

S16 - Chair

Andrea Lugo, Ms.

Andrea Lugo, Ms.

12:00 am - 12:00 am

S16 - Chair

Gabriel Nah, Dr.

Gabriel Nah, Dr.

10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S17 - Emerging Roles for Inflammation in Neurotrauma

Session Description

Neurotrauma is accompanied by complex neuro-immune interactions that substantially contribute to long-term outcomes. However, nonspecific anti-inflammatory therapies fail to improve recovery following neurotrauma and can even worsen functional recovery and morbidity. Thus, a better understanding of the damaging and reparative functions of inflammation is necessary for advancing immune-focused therapies. In this session, we will present novel findings on the critical roles of central and peripheral immunity in spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Dr. Angela Filous will discuss the mechanisms for SCI-induced immune depression syndrome and how it worsens neurological outcomes, using a clinically relevant mouse model of acquired pneumonia after SCI. Dr. Olga Kokiko-Cochran will present on the neuroimmune responses to the loss of glucocorticoid receptor on microglia after lateral fluid percussion injury in mice. Dr. Andrew Gaudet will describe his recent findings that reveal how targeting the circadian system benefits microglia and macrophage responses and neurologic recovery after SCI. Dr. Dylan McCreedy, the session chair, will discuss how early innate immune cells can promote long-term recovery after SCI in a sex-dependent manner. Collectively, this session will highlight the current state of knowledge on the complex consequences of inflammation in neurotrauma to inform the next generation of neuroprotective and regenerative strategies for SCI and TBI.

10:10 am - 10:30 am

S17.01 - Skull Bone Marrow-derived Cells in TBI

Michelle Theus, Professor

Michelle Theus, Professor

10:30 am - 10:50 am

S17.02 - Defining the Role of Microglia Glucocorticoid Receptor in Outcome After Brain Injury

Olga Kokiko-Cochran, Dr.

Olga Kokiko-Cochran, Dr.

10:50 am - 11:10 am

S17.03 - Circadian Control of Neuroprotection After Spinal Cord Injury

Andrew Gaudet, Dr.

Andrew Gaudet, Dr.

11:00 am - 11:30 am

S17.04 - Neutrophils Promote Resolution of Inflammation and Functional Recovery After Spinal cord Injury

Dylan McCreedy, Dr.

Dylan McCreedy, Dr.

12:00 am - 12:00 am

S17 - Chair

Dylan McCreedy, Dr.

Dylan McCreedy, Dr.

10:00 am - 11:30 am

(SESSION)S18 - Caring for the Whole Community: Considerations of Patient Demographics in Neurotrauma

Session Description

Advances in neurotrauma research and clinical care have significantly improved outcomes for many individuals affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). However, measurable differences in access to treatment, participation in research, and long-term recovery outcomes remain across these patient populations and care settings. These variations may reflect differences in socioeconomic factors, healthcare infrastructure, geographic location, and system-level access to specialized neurotrauma services and rehabilitation options.

This session will bring together neurotrauma experts across both basic science and translational research and clinical care to examine factors contributing to variable outcomes across both the TBI and SCI patient populations. Presenters will address patterns in neurotrauma research participation and clinical care delivery, with emphasis on populations who are more at risk for poor outcomes, injury management, optimizing treatment and rehabilitation access, and recovery pathways for both TBI and SCI patients. This session will also highlight current limitations to the existing research that hinder a comprehensive understanding of outcome variability. Collectively, these perspectives will highlight opportunities to improve outcomes for all individuals affected by TBI and SCI through more comprehensive data, broader research participation, and equitable access to high-quality care.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S18 - Chair

Amanda Glueck, Dr.

Amanda Glueck, Dr.

10:00 am - 10:10 am

S18 - Chair

Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr.

Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr.

10:10 am - 10:30 am

S18.01 - Historical Lessons from the Professional Football: Neurotrauma Race Norms and Concussion Payout

Ima Ebong, Dr.

Ima Ebong, Dr.

10:30 am - 10:50 am

S18.02 - Social determinants of TBI in adults

Shameeke Taylor, Dr.

Shameeke Taylor, Dr.

10:50 am - 11:10 am

S18.03 - Health Disparities in the Care, Management and Outcomes following Pediatric TBI

Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr.

Ramesh Raghupathi, Dr.

11:10 am - 11:30 am

S18.04 - Socioeconomic Status Effect on Spinal Coordinate Injury Rehabilitation

Adriana Simpson, Assistant Professor

Adriana Simpson, Assistant Professor

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

(SESSION)WS01 - Designing and Delivering Effective Chalk Talks

Session Description

Chalk talks are often a much-feared, yet critical, aspect of faculty job interviews and research presentations. This workshop prepares early career scientists to deliver compelling chalk talks. Through a structured presentation with opportunities for interactive discussion throughout, participants will learn how to clearly articulate their scientific vision, outline future research directions, and engage faculty audiences without relying on slides.

The session will highlight the expectations and common formats of chalk talks, strategies for balancing technical depth with accessibility, and methods for demonstrating independence and feasibility. Presenters will share practical advice drawn from experience on both sides of the interview process, offering insights into how to avoid common pitfalls and strengthen delivery.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a clear framework for preparing and presenting a confident and compelling chalk talk that communicates their research and scientific goals.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the purpose and expectations of chalk talks in academic interviews.
  • Learn strategies to effectively communicate research vision and independent viewpoint.
  • Gain practical tips for handling questions and maintaining clarity under pressure.

Target Audience:
Senior graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty preparing for faculty interviews or seeking to strengthen their ability to present research plans in chalk talk format.

Participants will leave with actionable guidance, increased confidence, and a roadmap for delivering an effective chalk talk.
 

12:00 am - 12:00 am

WS01 - Chair

Sydney Vita, Dr.

Sydney Vita, Dr.

12:00 am - 12:00 am

WS01.01 - Speaker

Naomi Sayre, Dr.

Naomi Sayre, Dr.

12:00 am - 12:00 am

WS01.02 - Speaker

Sydney Vita, Dr.

Sydney Vita, Dr.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

(SESSION)WS02 - Preclinical CDEs

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S19 - How TBI may Accelerate the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD)?

Session Description:

Emerging evidence from clinical and preclinical studies suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) may accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD), though the evidence remains inconclusive. Further questions about the roles of TBI severity and number of TBI events have also been unresolved to date, but data suggest they are important factors in accelerating ADRD progression. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers enable a minimally invasive assessment of the onset and progression of pathobiological changes after TBI, but outside of acute measures, long-term evolution in biomarker profiles has not been established. This session proposal will bridge the gap between the role of acute and long-term pathobiological changes after TBI focused primarily on ADRD pathobiology. To address these gaps, Jaclyn Iannucci will update on the immune linkages between TBI and future progression to ADRD. Paul Territo will examine how TBI and AD neurovascular coupling abnormalities share similar phenomena in both clinical subjects and preclinical models of disease. Rachel Rowe will describe how fragmented sleep may be a mechanistic link between TBI and ADRD. Finally, clinical and preclinical biomarker studies are showing great promise in assessing the role of TBI in ADRD progression and will be discussed by Denes Agoston. In summary, this session will lay the foundation for future investigations and future directions about how a heterogeneous TBI may confer increased risk for development of ADRD.

 

 

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S19 - Chair

Andre Obenaus, Dr.

Andre Obenaus, Dr.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S19 - Chair

Paul Territo, Dr.

Paul Territo, Dr.

1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S19.01 - Blood Borne Protein Biomarker Signatures of TBI-induced Vascular Injury in the Development of ADRD

Denes Agoston, Dr.

Denes Agoston, Dr.

1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S19.02 - Assessing the role of Closed Head Injury on Neurovascular Uncoupling and Network Function

Paul Territo, Dr.

Paul Territo, Dr.

2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S19.03 - Exploring Immune Mechanisms in Preclinical Traumatic Brain Injury: Insights into Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis.

Jaclyn Iannucci, Dr.

Jaclyn Iannucci, Dr.

2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S19.04 - Fragmented Sleep as a Mechanistic Link Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease–Related Dementia

Rachel Rowe, Dr.

Rachel Rowe, Dr.

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S20 - Understanding Cause and Effect in Neurotrauma: A Practical Introduction for Researchers and Clinicians

Session Description:

Understanding Cause and Effect in Neurotrauma: A Practical Introduction for Researchers and Clinicians

After a TBI or SCI, countless biological, clinical, and environmental factors interact in ways that are difficult to untangle. As a field, we often ask questions like: Why do two patients with similar injuries recover differently? Which treatments truly help, not just correlate with better outcomes?How can we learn from realworld clinical data when randomized trials aren’t feasible?  To answer these types of causeandeffect questions, we need to apply causal reasoning and modern data science instead of traditional statistical approaches. This session will introduce these ideas in a simple, intuitive, and scientifically grounded way through examples. Large randomized controlled trials may not always be feasible to answer important clinical questions due to ethical, logistical and/or financial reasons. Causal inference methods applied to data from large observational studies offer a valuable solution to such problems and opportunities to: 1) Distinguish correlation from cause and effect, 2) Design better studies, even using existing data, 3) Identify mechanisms that drive recovery or deterioration, 4) Evaluate the realworld impact of diagnostics, treatments, and rehabilitation strategies, 5) Discover new intervention targets by understanding how factors influence one another, and 6) Make more confident clinical and scientific inferences when randomized clinical trials are not possible. Participants will walk away with a practical understanding of how causal thinking can help us to better understand complex neurotrauma data, improve the studies they undertake, strengthen evidence, and ultimately guide decisionmaking. This session will show, through concrete examples, how these methods can meaningfully strengthen neurotrauma research.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S20 - Chair

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S20 - Chair

Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr.

Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr.

1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S20.01 - An Introduction to Causal Inference

Andrea Schneider, Dr.

Andrea Schneider, Dr.

1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S20.02 - Neurotrauma, Inflammation and Patient Outcomes: Connecting the dots with Causal Inference

Romit Samanta, Dr.

Romit Samanta, Dr.

2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S20.03 - Application of Dynamic Treatment Regimes for Personalized Hemodynamic Treatment in Spinal Cord Injury

Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr.

Marzieh Mussavi Rizi, Dr.

2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S20.04 - Discovering the Causal Dynamics of TBI from large datasets. Use Case in Sports Concussion with CARE data

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.

Abel Torres Espin, Dr.

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S21 - Novel Biomarkers for Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in the Eras of Precision Medicine and CBI-M

Session Description

Recovery from pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is driven by complex, dynamic biological processes that evolve over time, contributing to striking heterogeneity in outcomes that limits accurate prognostication and targeted treatment. In the era of precision medicine, existing physiological, neuroimaging, and protein biomarkers have fallen short in capturing this complexity particularly in children, highlighting the urgent need for novel and age-specific biomarkers to guide individualized care.

This need has become even more salient with the introduction of the CBI-M (Clinical, Biomarker, Imaging, Modifiers) framework, which emphasizes the integration of multimodal data to refine TBI classification, improve prognostic precision, and enhance trial design. Within this emerging framework, the dearth of validated pediatric biomarkers remains a critical research gap.

In this symposium, four investigators will present cutting-edge research in novel biomarkers of pediatric TBI, spanning preclinical and clinical studies. Biomarkers to be discussed include: (1) acute differential DNA methylation in the BDNF gene in children with TBI versus orthopedic injury; (2) multimodal biomarkers following experimental pediatric TBI: exploring molecular, physiological, and neurobehavioral domains during adolescence and adulthood phases, along with overlapping clinically-relevant factors such as early life stress or hypertension comorbidity; (3) age-related variations in expression of GFAP and UCHL1 following pediatric TBI; and (4) white matter maturation in children and juvenile mice with mild TBI. Strengths, limitations, and future directions for each biomarker will be considered in the context of advancing precision medicine for pediatric TBI and informing biomarker-driven components of the CBI-M framework.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S21 - Chair

Amery Treble-Barna, Dr.

Amery Treble-Barna, Dr.

1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S21.01 - Differential DNA Methylation of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene after Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Compared to Orthopedic Injury

Amery Treble-Barna, Dr.

Amery Treble-Barna, Dr.

1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S21.02 - Bridging Mechanisms and Medicine: Integrative Biomarkers and Therapeutic Advances after Pediatric Brain Trauma

Corina Bondi, Dr.

Corina Bondi, Dr.

2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S21.03 - Exploring Age Specific Biomarker Expression in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Laura Blackwell, Dr.

Laura Blackwell, Dr.

2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S21.04 - Altered White Matter Maturation After Concussion Linked to Anxious Behaviours in Children and Mice

Anne Wheeler, Dr.

Anne Wheeler, Dr.

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S22 - Axis of Recovery: Gut, Microbiome, and Nutrition after Spinal Cord Injury

Session Description:

Recent advances have highlighted the profound impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on gut function and microbiome composition, extending far beyond locomotor and sensory dysfunction. Building on this foundation, this session will explore the emerging science of the gut-brain and gut-lung axis in SCI, focusing on how disruptions in gastrointestinal function and microbiome composition can drive pathology and impede recovery both in animals and humans with SCI.


The symposium will examine how SCI-induced changes in gut integrity, motility, and microbial diversity and function contribute to lung pathology, systemic complications, metabolic dysfunction, and impaired neurorecovery. Attendees will gain insights into nutritional strategies, microbiome-targeted interventions, and innovative dietary approaches—such as ketogenic therapy—that hold promise for improving outcomes.


Our panel reflects the collaborative and inclusive spirit of the NNS meeting, featuring a diverse group of experts evenly split between females and males and representing all career stages in basic and clinical research—from medical student to senior faculty. This diversity ensures a rich exchange of perspectives and experiences, enhancing the depth and relevance of the discussion.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S22 - Chair

Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor

Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor

1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S22.02 - The Gut-lung Axis in Lung Injury After Acute SCI

Helen Wei, Assistant Professor

Helen Wei, Assistant Professor

2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S22.03 - The Impact of Ketogenic Diet on Neurorecovery in Acute SCI

Sana Chahande, Miss

Sana Chahande, Miss

2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S22.04 - Nutritional Interventions Targeting Metabolism and Gut Microbiome after SCI

Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor

Ceren Yarar-Fisher, Assoc. Professor

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S23 - Scientific Rigor or Mortis: Are the TBI Biomechanics of Our Models Clinically Valid?

Session Description:

The biomechanics of traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been studied for centuries. However, while the biomechanical parameters of some preclinical models have been clinically validated as have their resulting pathologies, many other models lack this critical clinical comparison. This session will explore biomechanical and neuropathological aspects of various common TBI preclinical models in context with current understanding of human TBI biomechanics and consequent neuropathologies. These models will include various forms of head rotational acceleration, cortical impact, fluid percussion and blast exposure in large and small animals in comparison to the corresponding human conditions. In addition to highlighting the historical and the latest relevant literature, we will provide new data including high-speed video and sensor recording of the preclinical TBI models and analyze how they scale, or don’t, to human TBI biomechanics.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S23 - Chair

Douglas Smith, Dr.

Douglas Smith, Dr.

1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S23.01 - Neuropathologies of Animal Models of TBI in Comparison to Human TBI

Hailong Song, Dr.

Hailong Song, Dr.

1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S23.02 - Multiscale Modeling of TBI

Barclay Morrison III, Dr.

Barclay Morrison III, Dr.

2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S23.03 - High Speed vVdeo and Sensor Analyses of Animal Models of TBI and Relevance to Human TBI Conditions

Cameron ’Dale’ Bass, Dr.

Cameron ’Dale’ Bass, Dr.

2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S23.04 - TBI Biomechanics and Calibration of Animal Models to Human Conditions

David Meaney, Dr.

David Meaney, Dr.

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm

(SESSION)S24 - Advances in Cell Therapy for Neural Repair

Session Description

This proposed session will present the latest advancements in cell-based therapies for spinal cord repair, featuring a panel of leading investigators spanning stem cell engineering, pre-clinical transplantation, large-animal translation, and clinical implementation. Cell therapy has emerged as one of the most promising strategies for restoring neural circuitry after spinal cord injury, supported by robust experimental evidence and accelerating translational progress. Co-chaired by Drs. Michael Fehlings (University of Toronto) and Michael Lane (Drexel University), the session will highlight how innovations in stem cell biology, neural engineering, and combinatorial therapeutic strategies are converging to advance spinal cord repair. Presentations will address recent breakthroughs in neuronal progenitor engineering, donor–host integration, large-animal validation, and clinical translation, with emphasis on how targeted cell transplantation paired with supportive interventions can promote durable neural repair and functional recovery.

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S24 - Chair

Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor

Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor

1:15 pm - 1:25 pm

S24 - Chair

Michael Fehlings, Dr.

Michael Fehlings, Dr.

1:25 pm - 1:45 pm

S24.01 - Neuromodulation for Harnessing Donor-Cell Activity and Networking After Spinal Cord Injury

Lyandysha Zholudeva, Dr.

Lyandysha Zholudeva, Dr.

1:45 pm - 2:05 pm

S24.02 - TBD

Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor

Michael Lane, Assoc. Professor

2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

S24.03 - Extensive Restoration of Forelimb Function in Primates With Spinal Cord Injury by Neural Stem Cell Transplantation

Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr.

Eleni Sinopoulou, Dr.

2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

S24.04 - Evaluating Synaptic Integration of Transplanted Engineered Neural Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury

Zijian Lou, Dr.

Zijian Lou, Dr.

2:45 pm - 3:15 pm

(SESSION)Closing Ceremony