The University of Pittsburgh Brain and Spine Injury Center consists of a number of programs developed to better understand and treat the problems associated with traumatic injury to the central nervous system, brain and spinal cord in both adults and children.

David Okonkwo, MD, PhD, leads the department’s efforts in treating traumatic head injury while Richard M. Spiro, MD, directs treatment for traumatic spine injuries.

Clinical efforts in each area are closely supported by research carried out through the Brain Trauma Research Center (BTRC) under the direction of C. Edward Dixon, PhD. The BTRC has pioneered efforts using hypothermia and cerebral blood flow monitoring in the treatment of severe head injury and has conducted landmark investigations into the mechanisms of induction and recovery of head trauma and secondary injury.

The Pediatric Neurotrauma Center, led by P. David Adelson, MD, has both basic science and clinical research programs to better understand the pediatric response to neural injury and recovery for traumatic brain and spine injuries in children.

The Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury Center, also led by Dr. Adelson, provides advanced surgical techniques to treat adults and children with brachial plexus and peripheral nerve problems including birth injuries, trauma, thoracic outlet syndrome, tumors and entrapment neuropathies. It is only one of a few centers in the country with expertise in this field. The center utilizes a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists in neurosurgery, micro/hand surgery, neurology, physical and occupational therapy, neuroradiology and clinical social work to maximize patient evaluation and treatment.

The Center of Injury Research and Control (CIRCL), led by P. David Adelson, MD, is a premier center involved in injury epidemiologic research and also coordinates education programs to enhance injury prevention.