Since he was a child, Darryl Kaelin, M.D., chief of the division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, has held a profound fascination with the complexities of the brain and its impact on human cognition and behavior. Today, Dr. Kaelin is shining a spotlight on the prevalence and severity of brain injuries in recognition of National Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Dr. Kaelin’s journey into a specialized career in neurorehabilitation began at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, where rigorous training equipped him with invaluable skills that continue to shape his career. “My training at the ULSOM provided extensive hands-on experience and prepared me to handle emergency situations and perform procedures beyond the norm for most medical students” Dr. Kaelin remarked.

His interest in neurorehabilitation was reignited during his residency. Advances in research and technology have revolutionized the landscape of brain injury recovery, extending rehabilitation opportunities far beyond previous limitations. “We used to believe that recovery after brain injury ended at about 24 months. We no longer believe that,” Dr. Kaelin explained. “Innovations in rehabilitation and technology now create improvements for years after injury. Treatments like transcranial magnetic therapy, vagal nerve stimulation, robot assisted technologies, and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) are all leading the frontier of brain injury rehabilitation.”

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are the number one killer of young Americans and can occur at any age, often resulting from incidents like motor vehicle accidents and falls.  Dr. Kaelin emphasized the critical role of prevention strategies, including wearing helmets and adopting safe driving practices for motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles.

Concussions, a common type of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), are particularly common in sports and other physical activity. Contact sports like football, soccer, lacrosse, and hockey increase the risk of concussions or more severe brain injuries, but no sport is without risk. Dr. Kaelin underscored the importance of modern helmet technologies in mitigating risks and advocated for reduced contact during practice to enhance safety measures.  

Signs of a potential brain injury include loss of consciousness, altered mental status, confusion, headache, and nausea. Individuals experiencing any of these symptoms should be immediately removed from participation in any activity and seek evaluation. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to potential brain injuries. While concussion recovery typically lasts a couple weeks, more severe brain injury can take years. The sooner medical help is sought, the better the outcome.

Each year, we see more brain injuries in the United States than cases of breast cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal cord injuries combined. As National Brain Injury Awareness Month continues, ULSOM stands with Dr. Kaelin in promoting helmet usage and protective gear to prevent brain injuries.