The physical, cognitive, and behavioural effects of a traumatic brain injury are clearly life changing. Treatment in the initial months post-injury is often frontloaded with surgery and rehabilitation, primarily focused on addressing the physical challenges a patient might expect to face. 

However, the road to recovery from a traumatic brain injury is complex, and often a patient will face serious mental health issues at some point along the way. For example, one study in particular found a cohort of patients hospitalised for a traumatic brain injury also suffered with major depressive disorder at least once during the follow-up period[1]. 

This is an important consideration as mental disorders such as depression can have a huge impact on patients, affecting their relationships, enjoyment of life and potentially also their earnings capacity. Symptoms can remain long after the patient has adjusted to the physical consequences of their brain injury and can be so embedded that they become difficult to treat effectively.

However, an 18-month trial is now taking place in the UK aiming to address this issue. 

A small study in the United States has already taken place and, encouragingly, found that the use of sertraline in the weeks after brain injury could assist in preventing severe depression[2]. 

The UK based 18-month study aims to replicate its US counterpart, but on a larger scale. It involves examining the use of common antidepressants prescribed in the initial period following a brain injury and measure depression, quality of life and cognitive functioning among 500 patients. The study will take place across 9 major trauma centres in England and is being funded by a £2.2m grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

We expect the study to have huge potential in shaping how patients are treated post-traumatic brain injury and whilst it may come with its own challenges, preventative treatment of serious mental disorders could be priceless in improving outcomes for patients with these types of injuries. 

The study will conclude in February 2025 with the results expected in 2027 and we eagerly await the findings. 

Author: Natasha Boyd, Trainee Solicitor

[1] Rates of major depressive disorder and clinical outcomes following traumatic brain injury - PubMed (nih.gov)

[2] Study aims to break link between brain injury and depression - BBC News