March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.

The University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science recently started gathering voluntary data from survivors receiving our services for a study on traumatic brain injuries.

“Brain injury due to intimate partner violence has been regarded as an invisible injury and overlooked public health issue,” explains Dr. Justin Karr, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology, Principal Investigator.

“There has been a lot of focus on brain injury in athletes and Veterans, but much less focus on survivors of intimate partner abuse.”

Decreased coordination, inability to concentrate, and lapses in memory are associated with injuries which can make it harder for someone to escape abuse, find safety, and begin to heal. These common symptoms can often be missed during standard evaluations.

“We’re hoping to learn more about the unmet health needs that survivors experience following a brain injury so that we may determine how to best address those needs,” explains Dr. Karr.

Women who are 18-64 years old and have experienced intimate partner violence during the past five years could be eligible for participation in the study. Click here for more information.