The 2026 Brain Injury Collaborative Summit
Uniting Voices. Advancing Solutions. Inspiring Change
The Concussion Research Lab & UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program are pleased to announce that we had three abstracts accepted for presentation at the 2026 Brain Injury Collaborative Summit!
Identifying Pediatric Mild TBI Subtypes Using Saliva Biomarkers - Accepted for Oral Presentation
Pediatric concussions manifest in distinct clinical subtypes, including anxiety/mood, cognitive, headache/migraine, ocular, and vestibular, which can be identified using multidomain assessments. Recent evidence has also demonstrated that certain saliva biomarkers can differentiate patients with concussions from uninjured controls. However, researchers have yet to connect the presence of saliva biomarkers with specific subtypes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify pediatric concussion subtypes using saliva biomarkers.
Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Identify the Effect of Targeted Multidomain Interventions on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults: A T-MD Clinical Trial Study - Accepted for Oral Presentation
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a portable, non-invasive method for assessing brain activation following injury through the process of neurovascular coupling. Specifically, fNIRS measures changes in oxygenated (HbO2) and deoxygenated (HbR) hemoglobin concentrations that reflect hemodynamic responses correlated with underlying neural activity. Differences in HbO2 during various tasks (e.g., cognitive, postural control, visual) have been observed in individuals with mTBIs compared to controls; however, the effect of mTBI treatment paradigms on fNIRS outcomes has yet to be studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in brain activity using fNIRS in adults receiving targeted multidomain interventions or behavioral management in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) for mTBI.
Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Examine Cerebral Hemodynamics During Exercise Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Adolescent Athletes: Preliminary Findings - Accepted for Oral Presentation
Researchers have demonstrated that prescribed rest beyond 24 hours post-injury has a negative effect on clinical outcomes, while early exercise targeting the autonomic nervous system improves recovery trajectories. However, there is limited evidence for the neurological basis underlying the efficacy of exercise as a treatment for mTBI. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which measures changes in oxygenated (HbO2) and deoxygenated (HbR) hemoglobin concentrations that reflect hemodynamic responses correlated with underlying neural activity, represents a promising method to address this gap in the literature. The objective of this study was to use fNIRS to examine changes in brain activation during aerobic exercise in adolescent athletes with mTBI compared to healthy controls.
We hope to see you there!
From the conference website:
This unprecedented event brings together three leading organizations — the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS), the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) — in a powerful collaboration focused on education, empowerment, and innovation.
The Brain Injury Summit represents a strategic collaboration between three leading organizations dedicated to advancing the brain injury field. By aligning their conferences in one location, these organizations are creating a powerful platform to share knowledge, expand professional development, and strengthen advocacy efforts.
The goal is to maximize impact: fostering leadership growth, enhancing opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning, and uniting professionals around a shared commitment to improving outcomes for individuals and families affected by brain injury.