Researchers, clinicians, military leaders, and stakeholders met in September 2026 at an annual conference to reaffirm a shared commitment to advancing the understanding of concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, and repetitive head impact exposure.

The conference focused on a research endeavor called “CARE - SALTOS” which is short for the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education - Service Academy Longitudinal Mild TBI Outcomes Study. Representing the long-term phase of a DOW and NCAA research partnership, the CARE Consortium and “CARE - SALTOS” study follows former NCAA athletes and U.S. military service academy participants after they move on from college. The goal is to understand the immediate, intermediate, and long-term effects of concussion and repetitive head impacts.

The conference provided an opportunity to review study progress, share emerging findings, consider the implications of available data, and translate results into practical solutions.

CARE - SALTOS study objectives

Initial research efforts focused on acute injury and recovery, characterizing the natural history of concussion and head impact exposure from minutes after injury through one year. Subsequent efforts examined intermediate and cumulative effects for one to five years following injury or exposure.

In 2026, researchers are examining long-term outcomes after injury or exposure. Current efforts seek to characterize how concussion and repetitive head impact exposure relate to brain health over time. The first goal is to evaluate outcomes up to 10 years after exposure across neurological and psychological health, cognition, quality of life, and career or military performance.

A second objective is to examine changes in brain structure and function using advanced neuroimaging, as well as markers associated with brain swelling and permanent brain damage.

The study also seeks to develop a multilevel, predictive algorithm to assess individual risk for long-term brain health effects following head impact exposure.

Practical value for brain health

Findings from the research partnership are intended to provide practical solutions for prevention, assessment, and treatment of long-term effects associated with repetitive neurotrauma.

Researchers are looking into brain health effects that are tied to concussion and head impact exposure, identifying training strategies and therapies, and validating tools for assessment — such as advanced neuroimaging and biomarkers.

The Department of War is particularly interested in identifying and characterizing any decline in warfighter brain health and finding ways to evaluate individuals’ risk of long-term brain health concerns.

Impacts of CARE Consortium research

The meeting underscored impacts of CARE Consortium research for both athletic and military communities.

Dr. Deena Casiero, chief medical officer for the NCAA, noted the consortium’s work has produced meaningful results over the past decade.

“These findings have translated into real, tangible changes,” Casiero said. “As we continue to make progress in the longitudinal phase of this research, what excites me most is not only what we have already learned, but what we still have yet to discover.”

Casiero emphasized that the growing body of data can help campuses strengthen injury-prevention efforts, improve education and awareness, and support athletic trainers, team physicians, and administrators as they make informed decisions. She added that the research supports both current and future student-athletes and advances the NCAA’s foundational commitment to safety through evidence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Kathy Lee, director for Warfighter Brain Health Policy in the office of the deputy assistant secretary of war for health affairs, highlighted the value of the enduring partnership between the military and academic communities.

“We have worked well together for 12 years toward the same goal— to improve outcomes for student-athletes and military service members by having a better understanding of the health and performance effects following concussion and exposures,” Lee said. “We really value the partnership this endeavor has demonstrated and look forward to continuing to translate findings from this consortium into real-life activities and actions for service members.”

The value of the integrated data set was a central theme of the meeting. Dr. Thomas McAllister, the Albert Eugene Sterne professor of psychiatry and neurology at the Indiana University School of Medicine and one of the study Principal Investigators, described the data collected as a resource of exceptional scientific importance.

“One might argue (the data set) is a national, even an international treasure,” McAllister said. “Our scientific advisory board is remarkably enthusiastic about the value of the data set and its ability to turbocharge some aspects of what we know about brain injury medicine.”

McAllister noted that the data set has already supported 14 additional projects, demonstrating its potential to generate further research and accelerate understanding of brain injury and brain health.

The current study builds on 12 years of CARE Consortium research, which has produced 176 peer-reviewed publications and approximately 190 scientific presentations on the natural history and neurobiology of concussion and repetitive head impact exposure. Lessons learned from earlier studies have informed the project’s methodology, assessment approach, and scientific priorities.

At the conclusion of the meeting, investigators were energized to continue analyzing the expanding body of data and translate findings into evidence that can strengthen long-term brain health outcomes for warfighters, student-athletes, and other populations at an increased risk of brain injury.

To learn more about the DOW and NCAA research partnership, visit Health.mil/BrainHealth.