Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.

The Department of Defense leads in the treatment and research of brain-related injuries and is committed to identifying breakthroughs to improve the lives of individuals who have sustained brain injuries. DOD’s efforts address a holistic view at brain health and brain injuries—before, during, and after any blast exposure or other injury.

The DOD considers protectingtreating, and optimizing brain health a top priority.

Evergreen Brain Injury Awareness image

TBI, considered one of the signature wounds of war in the 21st century, presents complex and challenging problems for many of our service members.

More than 509,000 service members have sustained TBI since 2000, according to reports from the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence.

See below for TBI resources for health care providers, leaders, service members, veterans, families, and caregivers.

Protecting Brain Health

DOD promotes and protects the health and well-being of our nation's armed forces, dedicating significant resources to close gaps in knowledge about TBI. The Warfighter Brain Health Initiative, launched in 2022, brings together multiple resources across the department to optimize brain health. The plan combats TBI by addressing multiple concerns such as blast exposures, repetitive head impacts, and TBI’s long-term effects.

Symptoms of a TBI may reappear or worsen if military training and sports or recreational activities are resumed too quickly. If you are in a leadership role, understanding what to expect and what your responsibilities are will help ensure readiness for your service members. Know how to prevent injury, actively understand and encourage the importance of seeking care, and follow proper care guidance for a medically ready force.

Service members, veterans, families, and caregivers can all Be a Brain Warrior by learning how most TBIs are sustained, how to protect themselves, and how to manage symptoms should a TBI occur.

Treating Brain Health

Most people who sustain a mild TBI (also known as concussion) recover completely. Health care providers can Be a Brain Warrior by using the latest clinical tools to treat patients and improve outcomes, keeping up with the latest research, and following the Acute Concussion Care Pathway.

Be a Brain Warrior by seeking treatment for head injuries; most people recover from concussion. Know the signs and symptoms.

Optimizing Brain Health

Staying up-to-date on clinical tools, the latest research, and training and education by TBICoE educators are ways a military health care provider can Be a Brain Warrior.

Patients, their families, and caregivers can optimize brain health and overall health and Be a Brain Warrior by seeking medical care and maintaining stability through recovery with caregiver support. Check out TBICoE’s Patient and Family Resources page for TBI fact sheets, family and caregiver guides, and other patient resources.

TBICoE Activities

View All Events

You also may be interested in...

Publication
Jul 10, 2024

DVBIC-TBICoE 15-Year Studies Population and Demographics: Caregiver and Family Member

.PDF | 979.96 KB

TBICoE's 15-year caregiver and family member study seeks to understand the health and service needs of caregivers of service members and veterans with TBI. This infographic provides an overview of study demographics.

Publication
Jul 10, 2024

Infographic: NDAA FY07 Section 721 Program Structure, Methodology, and Timeline

.PDF | 569.06 KB

This infographic describes the congressional mandate, the program structure, timeline, and TBICoE's role related to Section 721 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007: Longitudinal Study on Traumatic Brain Injury Incurred by Members of the Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Publication
Jul 10, 2024

DVBIC-TBICoE 15-Year Studies Population and Demographics: Natural History Study Infographic

.PDF | 1.10 MB

TBICoE's natural history study seeks to advance our understanding of the body’s response to traumatic brain injury in military populations. This infographic describes the method that service members and veterans could participate in the study and provides an overview of demographic details.

Publication
Mar 28, 2024

TBICoE Research Review: Multiple TBI/Multiple Concussion

.PDF | 284.05 KB

Prior history of TBI may predispose an individual to increased risk of subsequent TBI, which may result from less force, and lengthier recovery from post-injury symptoms. Activities such as contact sports and military service carry particular risk for multiple TBI.

Publication
Mar 5, 2024

Assessment and Management of Headache Following Concussion Clinical Recommendation

.PDF | 673.25 KB

This clinical recommendation, newly revised in 2024, includes specific recommendations of both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment of the most common types of post-traumatic headache, two additional PTH subtypes, and expanded information on medication overuse headache.

Publication
Feb 23, 2024

Progressive Return to Activity: Primary Care for Acute Concussion Management

.PDF | 472.50 KB

This clinical recommendation is an evidence-based return to activity protocol for primary care managers and concussion/traumatic brain injury clinic providers. The PRA is a six-step approach that begins after the provider performs the MACE 2 (Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2) and the patient is diagnosed with a concussion, also known as a mild TBI.

Publication
Nov 29, 2023

TBICoE's Low-Level Blast Research Efforts Infographic

.PDF | 2.12 MB

This infographic illustrates TBICoE's work to better understand how low-level blast influences warfighter brain health. These efforts directly support Line of Effort 2 of the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative.

Publication
Apr 7, 2023

2022 TBICoE Publication Catalog

.PDF | 577.80 KB

TBICoE publication citations and summaries are organized by category, or overarching research topic. The purpose of this document is to (1) summarize key findings and potential clinical implications of calendar year 2022 TBICoE publications, (2) increase awareness, and (3) assist in planning of future efforts.