Project Leader:  Dr. Sambit Mohapatra | University of Montana

Abstract

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) involves the temporary or permanent impairment of brain function following physical trauma to the head. TBI hospitalization rates in the United States among minority groups are the highest for Americans Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Unfortunately, this problem is highly under-recognized in American Indians living with brain injury. When compared to other populations, TBI death rates are the highest among AI/AN populations at any age. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) statistics reveal that indigenous people are over-represented in the category of TBI. Individuals with a TBI may have cognitive, physical, psychological and social dysfunctions. This in turn can lead to significant disability and unemployment which negatively impacts not just the patient but creates substantial strain on family, healthcare systems and employment industry.

In this proposed development phase of the study we will:

  1. Identify (through existing experienced collaborators) individual and group partners within Montana’s AI communities who would be interested in working together on this project;
  2. Work closely with these partners to develop a culturally and locally appropriate study design and obtain appropriate Institution Review Board (IRB) approvals;
  3. Develop a mentoring plan for the PI for future extramural funding opportunities;
  4. Build relationships with other universities and clinics for future multi-site clinical trials, and;
  5. Engage further with the AI communities by providing local education and increase awareness of TBI.

Our pilot work on student athletes and student veterans from wide ethnic backgrounds who had a TBI has laid the foundation of this proposal. We have identified primarily two areas in the brain which are significantly affected after a TBI. The proposed study targets these brain regions: frontal lobes and the corpus callosum (CC). Frontal lobe functionality will be tested by a neuro-ophthalmological test that will consist of saccadic tasks (rapid jerk-like movement of the eye) as well as cognitive tests. CC connectivity will be tested by a bimanual coordination tasks (ability to use both limbs while executing a complex task) that will be refined during the proposal development period. It is anticipated that by successful completion of the proposal development phase we will be able to make our study design robust, much more tailored for AI individuals with TBI and develop a collaborative relationship between the PI and other members of the research team with the local tribal communities. After completion of the proposed development period, we plan to submit a CTR Pilot Award proposal for successfully collecting pilot data from AI individuals with TBI. This will ultimately help us to identify the feasibility of using rapid screening tools to identify TBI in Native American populations and potentially help us to secure extramural funding through NIH.