Research is important to understanding more about brain injury. Because of the complexity of brain injury, the need for research grows more and more important as we attempt to unlock the vast mystery of the brain and its functions.

Current Research Studies Needing Participants

Internet users with traumatic brain injury or multiple sclerosis wanted

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York have developed HealthOrganizer.org, a confidential “one stop” health management site for people with memory difficulties and other thinking problems related to traumatic brain injury or multiple sclerosis.  You can use this no cost website to

• Maintain your own medical history
• Track your medications
• Track your health care providers
• Keep a list of problems to discuss with your doctors
• Get reminders of medical appointments, medication refills, etc.
• Get information about brain injury and multiple sclerosis
• Get health tips

If you are a person with traumatic brain injury or multiple sclerosis and have regular access to the internet, you may be interested in using this website. It will not cost you anything to use the website. The benefits of the website are currently being evaluated, and all users must agree to allow the researchers to monitor how and when they use the website. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

If you wish to, you can also complete an interview before using the site and after you have used it for a few months; you will be reimbursed for your time.
More information is available at www.HealthOrganizer.org, or you may call 1-866- 622-1375
(GCO #03-0513 project 2 approved through 9/27/2007)

Potential Treatment for Disorders of the Consciousness (DOCs)

Recently, there have been several case reports of individuals with DOCs (vegetative state, minimally conscious state, sometimes referred to as “long-term coma”) regaining consciousness after receiving the common sleeping drug zolpidem (Ambien). The Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute is conducting a nationwide study, to assess the clinical significance of zolpidem as a treatment for DOCs. The study will be conducted in three phases, of which the first two phases will seek to identify the rate of definite drug responders. In the final phase of the study, some drug responders and nonresponders will be invited to travel to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and undergo testing in order to identify a possible mechanism for drug response. If your family member has been diagnosed with a DOC more than 4 months ago, is at least 18 years of age, and is medically stable, he/she may be eligible to participate in this study. Participants will be provided study medication, screenings, and testing at no cost. For more information, please contact Riya Rajan, the study coordinator, at 215-663-6456 or participants@einstein.edu. This study is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and is approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network.