Using Fresh Frozen Plasma to Improve TBI Outcomes

​Principal Investigator: Dr. Rachel Russo

Disease: Traumatic Brain Injury

Research Description: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by explosions, gunshots, motor vehicle collisions and falls, and may lead to death or prolonged disability. Veterans suffer from the effects of TBIs more than the general public, with greater health issues and higher rates of death. There are no current therapies that heal TBI or prevent it from worsening after injury. Recent science has shown that TBI causes decreased blood clotting, leading to continued bleeding in the brain. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP), used to treat bleeding disorders, may help TBI patients improve clotting if administered early after brain injury. Dr. Russo’s team is enrolling and characterizing veterans’ outcomes in this ongoing Phase II/III, multi-site, randomized controlled clinical trial that compares standard of care alone to FFP in combination with standard of care. If effective, FFP would be the first treatment to reduce brain damage after TBI and could improve care for injured military, in the future, both on and off the battlefield.

Funding Partners: The Kahlert Foundation and others

Initial CWR Funding Role: Supplemental