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Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence

Welcome to the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence. Here, you'll find clinical tools for the assessment and management of TBI, provider training, patient resources, and research information.

Provider Resources Patient Resources Resources for Military Leaders Training and Events TBICoE Research TBI Numbers TBICoE Podcasts

NEW! Warfighter Brain Health Provider Toolkit App

Image promoting the new Warfighter Brain Health Provider Toolkit App. Image includes screenshots of the app itself stating it's now available at mobile.health.mil, highlighting the following features: a central location for provider resources; it automates the MACE 2; it is accessible offline; it's compatible with both Apple and Android devices.Designed for MHS providers, the Warfighter Brain Health Provider Toolkit app includes an automated MACE 2 and is a resource hub for several brain health topics. Resources come from TBICoE, DOD, VA, and the Joint Trauma System.

Learn more about the app, how to get it, and how to give your feedback with the WBH Toolkit QuickStart Guide and FAQ.

Thumbnail image of page 1 of the downloadable Warfighter Brain Health Provider Toolkit App QuickStart Guide and FAQ

Get the App

 

Mission and Vision

Mission: TBICoE unifies a system of TBI health care, reliably advancing the science for the warfighter and ready to meet future brain health challenges.

Vision: Principal organization to lead, translate, and advance brain health.

Learn More About Our Mission

 

2023 TBICoE Annual Report

The TBICoE annual report provides an overview of accomplishments and activities from calendar year 2023.

Get the Report

 

TBI and the Military

Traumatic brain injury is a significant health issue which affects service members and veterans during times of both peace and war. The high rate of TBI and blast-related concussion events resulting from current combat operations directly impacts the health and safety of individual service members and subsequently the level of unit readiness and troop retention. The impacts of TBI are felt within each branch of the service.

TBI and Service Members

 

TBI and Medical Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about TBICoE

The Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence FAQs provides answers to questions we are regularly asked about the organization and its mission. 

A

TBICoE is a congressionally mandated collaboration of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to promote state-of-the-science care from point-of-injury to reintegration for service members, veterans, and their families to prevent and mitigate consequences of mild to severe traumatic brain injury.

A

The preferred name Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence (TBICoE) aligns with the other centers of excellence within the Defense Health Agency’s Research and Development Directorate, under which the TBICoE operates. This name reflects the mission of the TBICoE, and will make for easy identification with internal and external stakeholders in identifying the organization and its mission.

A

No. TBICoE will continue to oversee and conduct TBI clinically relevant research addressing gaps in TBI knowledge for our service members and veterans who have sustained a TBI. Additionally, TBICoE continues to provide training and materials to military medical personnel for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of TBIs. TBICoE develops, provides and distributes educational materials for both military and civilian providers, families, service members and veterans. Gathering and analyzing data mandated by Congress and the Department of Defense for reports will also continue.

A

Our headquarters is located in the Washington, D.C. metro area. TBICoE supports a multi-center network of military treatment facilities and Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers nationwide and in Germany. At these facilities, network dissemination coordinators have resources and conduct education for medical providers, service members, veterans and their families. TBICoE conducts and supports traumatic brain injury clinical investigations at these collaborator facilities as part of the TBICoE research program.

A

For providers, visit the Provider Resources section of the TBICoE webpages. There, medical personnel can find TBI clinical recommendations, support tools and education materials. Visit the TBICoE Research page and download the latest TBI Hot Topics Bulletin for the latest trends in TBI research.

The Patient and Family Resources section of TBICoE has fact sheets, patient guides for recovery, and family and caregiver guides.

TBICoE materials are available by download only. We will continue to develop and update TBI clinical and educational products, so bookmark the pages and check back often or sign up for the TBI Providers Brief or TBI Resources Updates email news to stay informed.

A

Yes, TBICoE will continue its 28-year historical relationship with the VA. In fact, TBICoE has ongoing clinical research or educational activities that are coordinated through the VA and TBICoE.

A

No, TBICoE does not provide medical care or referrals, but we do offer resources to help patients, their families and caregivers learn more about TBI together with their medical provider. Visit the Patient and Family Resources page to find fact sheets and other TBI patient and caregiver guides. TBICoE's outreach initiative, A Head for the Future is a resource to learn how to prevent, recognize and recover from a brain injury, and hear stories from TBI Champions.

A

If you have a question or concern about TBICoE or any of the products, please email us!

A

You can find support 24/7 through the websites and numbers listed below.

National Resource Directory

The national resource directory connects wounded warriors, service members, veterans and their families with services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

Military/Veterans Crisis Line

Dial 988, and press 1 or Text 838255

Crisis Line, text-messaging service, and online chat provide free, confidential support for all service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and all veterans, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.

Military OneSource

800-342-9647

Help for active duty military and their dependents, including 12 free non-medical counseling appointments.

VA's Polytrauma/TBI System of Care

VA's Polytrauma System of Care provides a full range of medical and rehabilitation services for all enrolled veterans and for service members covered by TRICARE authorization, who have sustained polytrauma, TBI or other acquired brain injury. Click on this link for admissions and referrals.

Department of Veterans Affairs Customer Service Hotlines

Health Care: 877-222-8387

Benefits: 800-827-1000

White House VA Hotline

Open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year

855-948-2311

VA's first non-clinical, non-emergency, around-the-clock call center. It provides Veterans a supplemental option to report issues if they are not being addressed through VA's normal customer service channels. Hotline agents answer inquiries, provide directory assistance, document concerns about VA care, benefits and services, and expedite the referral and resolution of those concerns.

Vet Centers

Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Readjustment counseling is free of charge and anonymous, and is offered to help make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military, including TBI. Does not require enrollment in VA health care.

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Fact Sheet
Aug 29, 2024

Low-Level Blast: Fact Sheet for DOD Providers

.PDF | 817.46 KB

Low-level blast is defined as blast generated from firing heavy weapon systems or explosives in combat or training environments. Exposure to low-level blast does not typically result in a clinically diagnosable concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury. TBICoE developed this fact sheet for DOD health care providers.

Fact Sheet
Mar 6, 2024

Managing Headaches Following Concussion Fact Sheet

.PDF | 592.42 KB

This patient fact sheet on managing headache following concussion will help patients understand post-traumatic headache basics, triggers, and non-drug remedies. Post-traumatic headache is one of the most common and persistent symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury.

Fact Sheet
Dec 14, 2023

PTSD and Other Stress-Related Disorders Following Concussion/Mild TBI Fact Sheet

.PDF | 542.68 KB

Co-occurring concussion and stress-related disorders, including PTSD, are common among service members. This fact sheet defines concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury, and provides an overview of common stress-related disorders, the overlapping symptoms, and how to manage those symptoms.

Fact Sheet
Dec 13, 2023

Low-Level Blast: VA Provider Fact Sheet

.PDF | 820.18 KB

This fact sheet was developed specifically for VA medical providers. Low-level blast is defined as blast generated from firing heavy weapon systems or explosives in combat or training environments. Exposure to low-level blast does not typically result in a clinically diagnosable concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury.

Fact Sheet
Nov 6, 2023

Warfighter Brain Health After TBI: Guidance for Leaders

.PDF | 895.85 KB

This TBICoE fact sheet, Warfighter Brain Health After TBI: Guidance for Leaders, condenses the basics of recognizing, reporting, and preventing TBI in service members. It updates and supersedes the Line Leader Policy Guidance fact sheet and includes a list of what the DOD has defined as potentially concussive events and outlines leaders’ ...

Fact Sheet
Jul 18, 2023

Low-Level Blast: Fact Sheet for Service Members

.PDF | 867.41 KB

Low-level blast is defined as blast generated from firing heavy weapon systems or explosives in combat or training environments. Exposure to low-level blast does not typically result in a clinically diagnosable concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury. Both providers and service members should be aware of the potential effects of low ...

Fact Sheet
Jun 14, 2023

Leader Policy Guidance for Mild TBI/Concussion in the Deployed Setting Fact Sheet

.PDF | 723.27 KB

This document describes the line leader responsibilities for the Department of Defense mandated policy, DOD Instruction 6490.11, “DOD Policy Guidance for the Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion in the Deployed Setting,” that applies to all service members involved in potentially concussive events in deployed settings.

Fact Sheet
May 22, 2023

Changes in Behavior, Personality or Mood Following Concussion/mTBI Fact Sheet

.PDF | 977.73 KB

This TBICoE fact sheet can be used by health care providers to educate patients with a concussion, or mild TBI, on how to manage changes in mood related to their injury. Patients and caregivers would also find this information useful.

Fact Sheet
Nov 16, 2022

Healthy Sleep Following Concussion/mTBI Fact Sheet

.PDF | 108.25 KB

Getting restful sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health, and it often takes thoughtful preparation during the day. This fact sheet offers service members and veterans who experience sleep disturbances after a concussion with healthy sleep tips that can likely improve sleep.

Last Updated: September 09, 2024
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