Evaluation, Pathogenesis, and Outcome of Subjects With or Suspected Traumatic Brain Injury

Study Summary

Background: \- Traumatic brain injury may have a range of effects, from severe and permanent disability to more subtle functional and cognitive deficits that often go undetected during initial treatment. To improve treatments and therapies and to provide a uniform quality of care, researchers are interested in developing more standardized criteria for diagnosing and classifying different types of traumatic brain injury. By identifying imaging and other indicators immediately after the injury and during the initial treatment phrase, researchers hope to better understand the nature and effects of acute traumatic brain injury. Objectives: * To study the MRI results of individuals who have recently had head injury and suspected traumatic brain injury. * To study the natural evolution of traumatic brain injury for up to 3 months after head injury. Eligibility: \- Individuals at least 18 years of age who have been admitted to a hospital with a diagnosed or suspected traumatic brain injury within the past 48 hours. Design: * Participants will have one 3-hour study visits: an initial visit (within 48 hours of head injury). Participants may be asked to have an optional 4-day, 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year follow-up. * Each visit may involve blood samples, an MRI scan (approximately 30 minutes), and a series of tests to evaluate brain function. * At the optional follow-up visit, participants may have blood samples, an MRI scan, and a general traumatic brain injury assessment. * This study does not provide treatment and does not replace any current therapies. However, participants who are eligible for other National Institutes of Health studies may be referred to these studies by researchers.