The role of innate immunity in the traumatic brain injury-induced immune suppression syndrome

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 2 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year and that over 50,000 people die from after their injury. The leading cause of death after TBI is infection. With an an annual healthcare expenditure nearing 80 billion dollars, there is a critical unmet need to determine whether advancements in our understanding of TBI and immune function will lead to new therapies to combat this highly lethal disorder.