Preclinical modelling of militarily relevant traumatic brain injuries: Challenges and recommendations for future directions

As a follow-up to the 2008 state-of-the-art (SQTA) conference on traumatic brain injuries (TBIs); the 2015 event organized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) analysed the knowledge gained Over the last 7 years as it relates to basic scientific methods, experimental findings, diagnosis. therapy, and rehabilitation of TBIs and blast-induced neurotraumas (BINTs). The current article summarizes the discussions and recommendations of the scientific panel attending the Preclinical Modeling and Therapeutic Development Workshop of the conference; with special emphasis on factors slowing research,progress and recommendations for ways of addressing the most significant pitfalls.