CARE4Kids: Administrative Core

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT - Administrative Core Concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury that affects millions annually, particularly adolescents. While many recover, a large number of injured youth go on to develop persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS), and experience ongoing pain, dysfunction and disability. Due to the variability of concussion and the subjective nature of post-concussive symptoms, our ability to predict and classify those who develop PPCS is currently very limited. Research suggests that specific patterns of PPCS may be linked to different underlying pathophysiology. The primary goal of the CARE4Kids Center Without Walls (CWOW) is to identify measurable biological markers (blood tests, brain scans, electrical activity, etc.) that will help objectively predict and define different categories of PPCS. The primary goal of the CARE4Kids CWOW Administrative Core is to provide the necessary leadership, organization, training and infrastructure to permit efficient coordination of 6 clinical data collection sites with designated centers able to provide quality control and maintain and store data. The Administrative Core will provide training and oversight for all data collection of clinical and biological measures. Biological measures may include cognitive tests, brain electrical activity, scans of brain structure, molecules in blood or saliva, cardiovascular testing and stress responses. The Administrative Core also will establish guidelines for the CARE4Kids CWOW to monitor funding, scientific inquiry, data curation and sharing, and dissemination of results. Other important roles include standardizing definitions, developing consistent methods and coordinating an annual meeting to ensure the consortium has an open forum to meet, share information and troubleshoot unanticipated challenges. The results of this work will lead to improved, but objective, medical tests that help predict which patients with concussions are at greatest risk for PPCS. By defining objective categories of those at risk for PPCS, it will be possible to better provide medical care, and will also lead to future trials for new treatments.