Overview

• The CBI-M framework replaces the Glasgow Coma Scale, which has been the primary TBI assessment tool since 1974, addressing its limitations in capturing injury complexity.
• The new system incorporates four pillars: clinical evaluation, blood biomarkers, advanced imaging, and patient-specific modifiers to provide a multidimensional view of injuries.
• Biomarkers enable more precise triage, reducing unnecessary CT scans and identifying candidates for clinical trials to develop new TBI treatments.
• Nationwide trials at 18 trauma centers are underway to validate and refine the framework, with integration into NIH-supported clinical studies already in progress.
• The initiative aims to standardize TBI diagnosis, improve patient stratification for treatments, and enhance long-term outcomes for the 500,000 Americans affected by permanent TBI disabilities annually.