Traumatic Brain Injury and Associated Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Diagnosis/Prognosis and Therapeutics

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1429

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 10676 Athens, Greece
Interests: neurological disease biomarkers (CNS tumors, hydrocephalus, chronic subdural hematoma, traumatic brain injury); neuroprotection and functional recovery following brain injury; circadian rhythms and sleep disorders; neuroepidemiology (stroke, CNS tumors, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury)
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a substantial public health issue, representing a leading cause of death and disability. Aside from the acute risk to life, TBI increases the risk of chronic neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. The diagnosis, management, and prognosis of TBI can thus be challenging, necessitating advances in biomarker development and multimodal assessment as well as novel therapies.

This Special Issue, entitled "Traumatic Brain Injury and Associated Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Diagnosis/Prognosis and Therapeutics", aims to collate cutting-edge research on innovations in TBI and its associated spectrum of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.

We welcome contributions of preclinical and clinical studies exploring, but not limited to, the following:

-Advanced diagnostic and prognostic tools, including AI-assisted analysis;
-Risk stratification and prognostic models in neurotrauma and neurodegeneration;
-Novel molecular or imaging biomarkers and therapeutic strategies;
-Cross-disciplinary approaches, e.g., linking cellular and molecular biology to physiology and behavior.

Dr. Theodosis Kalamatianos
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • traumatic brain injury
  • neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders
  • clinical impact and innovation
  • diagnostic
  • prognosis
  • markers
  • imaging

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 7287 KB  
Article
From Neurological Severity to Anatomical Burden: An Integrated Clinical–CT Model for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Adults with Penetrating Cranial Gunshot Injuries
by Mustafa Emre Sarac, Zeki Boga, Ali Arslan, Ümit Kara, Mehmet Ozer, Ali Harmanoğullarından and Yurdal Gezercan
Diagnostics 2026, 16(8), 1246; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16081246 - 21 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cranial gunshot injuries represent severe traumatic brain injuries associated with high mortality rates. This study investigated whether integrating clinical findings at admission, including GCS score and pupillary response, with a CT-derived anatomical burden score and midline shift improves the prediction of in-hospital [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cranial gunshot injuries represent severe traumatic brain injuries associated with high mortality rates. This study investigated whether integrating clinical findings at admission, including GCS score and pupillary response, with a CT-derived anatomical burden score and midline shift improves the prediction of in-hospital mortality. Methods: Adult patients aged 18 years and older with penetrating cranial gunshot injuries (n = 143) treated at a tertiary referral centre between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2025 were retrospectively analysed using a single-centre cohort design. All included patients completed in-hospital follow-up, defined as hospital discharge or in-hospital death. Clinical variables, the anatomical burden score, and midline shift were evaluated using a multivariable logistic regression model where the primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Model performance was assessed using ROC analysis, calibration measures, and bootstrap internal validation. Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 56.6%, with early mortality occurring in 33.6% of patients. In the multivariable analysis, a low admission GCS score (≤8), bilateral non-reactive pupils, an increased anatomical burden score, and midline shift were independently associated with a higher risk of mortality. The model demonstrated good discrimination (AUC = 0.87; 95% CI 0.81–0.93), and similar performance was maintained following internal validation (optimism-corrected AUC = 0.86). The addition of radiological parameters to clinical variables improved model discrimination (ΔAUC = 0.07; 95% CI 0.02–0.11). Conclusions: The combined evaluation of admission clinical findings and CT-based anatomical parameters may support a more structured early estimation of in-hospital mortality risk in adult patients with penetrating cranial gunshot injuries. Full article
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14 pages, 990 KB  
Article
Endocrine Sequelae of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department: A 12-Month Study
by Maria Kałas, Mariusz Siemiński and Ewelina Stępniewska
Diagnostics 2026, 16(6), 955; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16060955 - 23 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Over the last two decades, there has been a substantial change in the understanding of post-traumatic hypopituitarism (PTHP), which is no longer regarded as a marginal phenomenon. Clinical manifestations of pituitary hormone deficiency are frequently nonspecific, with fatigue and cognitive dysfunction predominating. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Over the last two decades, there has been a substantial change in the understanding of post-traumatic hypopituitarism (PTHP), which is no longer regarded as a marginal phenomenon. Clinical manifestations of pituitary hormone deficiency are frequently nonspecific, with fatigue and cognitive dysfunction predominating. Given that head injuries currently constitute a global burden for healthcare systems, the aim of the present study was to determine whether self-reported post-mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) symptoms that may indicate hypopituitarism reflect true pituitary insufficiency or are attributable to other hormonal aberrations. The study aimed to assess the relationship between self-reported symptoms of PTHP and hormonal test results following mTBI. Setting: Patients were recruited from a tertiary trauma center Emergency Department (ED) in northern Poland from January 2023 to October 2025. Participants: The participants were adult (18 > y.o.) individuals with mTBI who met the inclusion criteria. Design: This was a prospective cohort study. During their post-head injury admission to the ED, patients had a blood sample taken. The procedure was repeated consecutively after 3, 6 and 12 months. After 6 and 12 months, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire. Methods: Pituitary and thyroid hormones were measured using the chemiluminescence immunoassay method and the heterogenous immunochemiluminescence method. The questionnaire used, Questionnaire for the Assessment of Symptoms of Anterior Pituitary Insufficiency in Patients After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Hospitalized in the Emergency Department, was designed for the purposes of this study. Results: Self-reported symptoms suggestive of anterior pituitary dysfunction following mTBI were not confirmed by laboratory assessment of pituitary hormones. However, after 6 months, a statistically significant correlation was found between the number of reported symptoms and prolactin levels (ρ = 0.730; p = 0.0013), whereas after 12 months a downward trend in free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels was observed compared with the baseline. Conclusions: Persistent symptoms reported by patients following mTBI at 6 and 12 months, particularly fatigue and impaired concentration, showed statistical associations with prolactin levels at 6 months and lower fT3 levels at 12 months. These findings reflect correlations identified in the statistical analysis and do not support inferences regarding causality or the presence of true PTHP. Full article
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