Karen Barlow
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/19570 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/934
Professor
Karen Barlow
Email: : k.barlow@uq.edu.au
Phone: : +61 7 3069 7486
Positions
Affiliate of Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation and Research Centre : Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation and Research Centre : Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Affiliate Associate Professor of School of Biomedical Sciences : School of Biomedical Sciences : Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Conjoint Chair in Paediatric Rehabilitation : Child Health Research Centre : Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences
Overview
Background
I am an academic paediatric neurologist, clinical researcher, and specialist in acquired brain injury in children and adolescence. I studied at the University of Edinburgh and British Columbia before taking up my first academic position at the University of Calgary in 2002. Here I developed and directed the Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Research Program at the Alberta Children's Hospital and where I cemented my interest in the biology and treatment of children with brain injuries. I have extensive clinical research experience, devising and overseeing clinical trials in children both nationally and internationally. I moved to the Child Health Research Centre at the University of Queensland, Australia in October 2017 and joined the Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service and Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabililation Centre to facilitate research into improving the health outcomes of children with acquired brain injury in Queensland and Australia.
My research focuses on the neurobiological signatures and treatment of subtle neurological dysfunction in mild traumatic brain injury and concussion, especially the behavioural and cognitive impairments that are found in post-concussion syndrome. I use multimodal neurological assessments to do this. My research explores combining neuroimaging and neurophysiological investigations, including perfusion studies using MRI (ASL-fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation to help us understand the changes in the brain in children who are slow to recovery following a concussion. This is to help us develop and assess more effective and tailored treatments for children with concussion and traumatic brain injury. I explore novel therapies for children with persistent post-concussive symptoms in clinical trials including the use of neuraceuticals, pharmacotherapies, and non-invasive brain stimulation treatment.
I am the director of the newly-established KidStim Lab at the Child Health Research Centre. This is the first non-invasive neuromodulation facility aimed at improving the health outcomes of children with brain injury in Australia and is led by a mulitdisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists from Brisbane bring a unique clinical and scientific knowledge-base to help achieve our goals. Rehabilitation therapy in combination with repetitive transcranial direct current stimulation (rTMS) and other direct current stimulation modalities (e.g. tDCS) will be explored. It also offers the potential for treatment of the mood and behavioural disorders (e.g. depression and anxiety) commonly seen after brain injury but also so disruptive to the life of the normally developing teenager.
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Availability
Professor Karen Barlow is: : Available for supervision : Media expert
Fields of research
Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Communications engineering Engineering Health Sciences Neurosciences Paediatrics
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, University of Edinburgh
- Masters (Coursework) of Science (Clinical Research), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Doctor of Philosophy of Neurosciences, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Paediatric Neurology
Read more Read less - #### Neurotrauma
Read more Read less - #### Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury
Read more Read less - #### Headache and pain disorders
Read more Read less - #### Clinical trials
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Works
Search Professor Karen Barlow’s works on UQ eSpace
All (173) Journal Article (122) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (47) Book Chapter (3)
2025
Journal Article
Metabolomic in severe traumatic brain injury: exploring primary, secondary injuries, diagnosis, and severity
Banoei, Mohammad M., Hutchison, James, Panenka, William, Wong, Andy, Wishart, David S., Winston, Brent W., Canadian Biobank and Database for Traumatic Brain Injury (CanTBI) study investigators,, Fenerty, Lynne, Martin, Kathleen A., Audas, Lorelei, Clarke, David, French, M. E., Beauchamp, Miriam, Ducharme-Crevier, Laurence, Farrell, Catherine, Lacroix, Jacque, Hutchison, K., Fernandes, Leanne, Zhang, Grace, Khosroawshahi, Arash, Wilson, E., Hazrati, Lili-Naz, Colantonio, Angela, Scratch, Shannon, Sinopoli, Katia, Wheeler, Anne, Green, Robin, Davis, Adrienne, Guerguerian, Anne-Marie ... Turgeon, Alexis (2025). Metabolomic in severe traumatic brain injury: exploring primary, secondary injuries, diagnosis, and severity. Critical Care, 29 (1) 26, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s13054-025-05258-1
2025
Conference Publication
The therapeutic application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in autism: findings from a randomised controlled trial
Rodriguez, Briella, Hill, Aron T., Fitzgerald, Paul B. and Barlow, Karen (2025). The therapeutic application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in autism: findings from a randomised controlled trial. Australian Brain Stimulation Society, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 23-24 November 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Mild traumatic brain injury and concussion and persisting post‐concussion symptoms: new guidelines to support evidence‐based assessment and management in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Barlow, Karen M., Ponsford, Jennie L., Theodom, Alice, Cowen, Gill, Davis, Gavin A., Anderson, Vicki, Babl, Franz E., Cole, David, Cullen, Jennifer, Dalziel, Stuart R., Fitzgerald, Melinda, Flavell, Howard, Yates, Caroline, Kimble, Rebecca, Olver, John H., Orr, Rhonda, Ralfe, Mark, Rose, Michael, Rushworth, Nick, Treleaven, Julia, Browne, Gary, Delang, Nathan, Harris, Sarah, Mitchell, Gary and Tweedy, Sean (2025). Mild traumatic brain injury and concussion and persisting post‐concussion symptoms: new guidelines to support evidence‐based assessment and management in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Medical Journal of Australia, 223 (9), 446-449. doi: 10.5694/mja2.70082
2025
Journal Article
Orthostatic tachycardia in children with and without persisting post concussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury: A prospective controlled study
Stein, Athena and Barlow, Karen M. (2025). Orthostatic tachycardia in children with and without persisting post concussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury: A prospective controlled study. Pediatric Neurology, 175, 72-80. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.11.001
2025
Journal Article
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in adolescents with persistent post-concussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury: An open label safety and feasibility study
Thorstensen, Jacob, Godfrey, Heather, King, Regan, Zewdie, Ephrem, Kirton, Adam, Yeates, Keith Owen, MacMaster, Frank and Barlow, Karen (2025). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in adolescents with persistent post-concussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury: An open label safety and feasibility study. Pediatric Neurology, 175, 198-207. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.11.015
2025
Journal Article
Computed Tomography Scan Rates and Outcomes in Children Risk-Stratified Using the PREDICT Guideline Algorithm for Risk Stratification of Mild and Moderate Head Injuries
Hearps, Stephen J. C., Tavender, Emma, Borland, Meredith L., Oakley, Ed, Grobler, Anneke, Anderson, Vicki, Barlow, Karen M., Dalziel, Stuart R., Phillips, Natalie, Kochar, Amit, Dalton, Sarah, Furyk, Jeremy, Neutze, Jocelyn, Williams, Amanda and Babl, Franz E. (2025). Computed Tomography Scan Rates and Outcomes in Children Risk-Stratified Using the PREDICT Guideline Algorithm for Risk Stratification of Mild and Moderate Head Injuries. EMA - Emergency Medicine Australasia, 37 (4) e70111, e70111-4. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.70111
2025
Journal Article
Sham-controlled trial of tDCS for attention in pediatric acquired brain injury: Characterising response variability with HD-EEG connectivity and E-field modelling
Stein, Athena, Caulfield, Kevin A., Singh, Mervyn, Riddle, Justin, Friehs, Maximilian A., Craven, Michael P., Groom, Madeleine J., Iyer, Kartik K. and Barlow, Karen M. (2025). Sham-controlled trial of tDCS for attention in pediatric acquired brain injury: Characterising response variability with HD-EEG connectivity and E-field modelling. Pediatric Neurology, 170, 133-145. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.06.005
2025
Journal Article
Safety, Feasibility, and Tolerability of Ten Days of At-Home, Remotely Supervised tDCS During Gamified Attention Training in Children with Acquired Brain Injury: An Open-Label, Dose-Controlled Pilot Trial
Stein, Athena, Riddle, Justin, Caulfield, Kevin A., Dux, Paul E., Friehs, Maximilian A., Schroeder, Philipp A., Craven, Michael P., Groom, Madeleine J., Iyer, Kartik K. and Barlow, Karen M. (2025). Safety, Feasibility, and Tolerability of Ten Days of At-Home, Remotely Supervised tDCS During Gamified Attention Training in Children with Acquired Brain Injury: An Open-Label, Dose-Controlled Pilot Trial. Brain Sciences, 15 (6) 561, 561-6. doi: 10.3390/brainsci15060561
2025
Journal Article
Optimal recovery following pediatric concussion
Beauchamp, Miriam H., Tang, Ken, Ledoux, Andrée-Anne, Harris, Ashley D., Kowalski, Kristina A., Craig, William R., Gravel, Jocelyn, Doan, Quynh, Freedman, Stephen B., Zemek, Roger L., Yeates, Keith Owen, Goodyear, Bradley, Abdeen, Nishard, Beaulieu, Christian, Dehaes, Mathieu, Deschenes, Sylvain, Lebel, Catherine, Lamont, Ryan, Williamson, Tyler, Barlow, Karen M., Brooks, Brian L., Emery, Carolyn, Tomfohr-Madsen, Lianne, Mrklas, Kelly and Schneider, Kathryn J. (2025). Optimal recovery following pediatric concussion. JAMA Network Open, 8 (3) e251092. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.1092
Optimal recovery following pediatric concussion
2025
Journal Article
Routinely collected physiological data improves the assessment of acute brain injury severity
Stevenson, Nathan, Waak, Michaela and Barlow, Karen M. (2025). Routinely collected physiological data improves the assessment of acute brain injury severity. Pediatric Research, 97 (7), 2194-2195. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-03969-3
Routinely collected physiological data improves the assessment of acute brain injury severity
2025
Journal Article
International consensus definition of 'Sport & Exercise' in toddlers and young children, children, and adolescents
Davis, Gavin A., Anderson, Nicholas, Babl, Franz E., Ballard, Dustin W., Barlow, Karen M., Barrett, Michael J., Beauchamp, Miriam H., Borland, Meredith L., Bressan, Silvia, Crowe, Louise, Chong, Shu-Ling, Corwin, Daniel J., Dalziel, Stuart R., Emery, Carolyn A., Fauteux-Lamarre, Emmanuelle, Gioia, Gerard A., Haarbauer-Krupa, Juliet, Kirkwood, Michael W., Loellgen, Ruth Mari Caroline, Master, Christina L., Mckinlay, Audrey, Olver, John, Mintegi, Santiago, Pavlicich, Viviana, Purcell, Laura, Raman, Radhika, Rino, Pedro, Suskauer, Stacy J., Shavit, Itai ... Anderson, Vicki (2025). International consensus definition of 'Sport & Exercise' in toddlers and young children, children, and adolescents. Acta Paediatrica, 114 (7), 1653-1659. doi: 10.1111/apa.70013
2025
Conference Publication
At-home tDCS in children with acquired brain injury: a dose-controlled feasibility study
Stein, Athena, Riddle, Justin, Caulfield, Kevin, Dux, Paul, Friehs, Maximilian, Schroeder, Philipp, Craven, Michael, Groom, Madeleine, Iyer, Kartik and Barlow, Karen (2025). At-home tDCS in children with acquired brain injury: a dose-controlled feasibility study. 6th International Brain Stimulation Conference, Kobe, Japan, 23-26 February 2025. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2024.12.342
At-home tDCS in children with acquired brain injury: a dose-controlled feasibility study
2025
Journal Article
Authors’ Response to Reader’s Form
Davis, Gavin A., Babl, Franz E., Anderson, Vicki, Davis, Gavin A., Anderson, Nicholas, Babl, Franz E., Ballard, Dustin W., Barlow, Karen M., Barrett, Michael J., Borland, Meredith L., Bressan, Silvia, Crowe, Louise, Chong, Shu-Ling, Corwin, Daniel J., Dalziel, Stuart R., Emery, Carolyn A., Fauteux-Lamarre, Emmanuelle, Gioia, Gerard A., Haarbauer-Krupa, Juliet, Kirkwood, Michael W., Löllgen, Ruth Mari Caroline, Master, Christina L., McKinlay, Audrey, Olver, John, Mintegi, Santiago, Pavlicich, Viviana, Purcell, Laura, Raman, Radhika, Rino, Pedro ... Anderson, Vicki (2025). Authors’ Response to Reader’s Form. Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics, 115 (1) apa.70313, 247-248. doi: 10.1111/apa.70313
Authors’ Response to Reader’s Form
2024
Journal Article
Longitudinal changes in brain metabolites following pediatric concussion
La, Parker L., Walker, Robyn, Bell, Tiffany K., Craig, William, Doan, Quynh, Beauchamp, Miriam H., Zemek, Roger, Yeates, Keith Owen, Harris, Ashley D., Yeates, Keith Owen, Beauchamp, Miriam H., Bjornson, Bruce H., Gravel, Jocelyn, Mikrogianakis, Angelo, Goodyear, Bradley, Abdeen, Nishard, Beaulieu, Christian, Dehaes, Mathieu, Deschenes, Sylvain, Harris, Ashley D., Lebel, Catherine, Lamont, Ryan, Williamson, Tyler, Barlow, Karen Maria (Pediatric Emergency Research Canada A-CAP study team member), Bernier, Francois, Brooks, Brian L., Emery, Carolyn, Freedman, Stephen B., Kowalski, Kristina ... Schneider, Kathryn J. (2024). Longitudinal changes in brain metabolites following pediatric concussion. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 3242, 1. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-52744-7
Longitudinal changes in brain metabolites following pediatric concussion
2024
Journal Article
The Australian traumatic brain injury initiative: systematic review and consensus process to determine the predictive value of pre-existing health conditions for people with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury
Antonic-Baker, Ana, Auvrez, Clarissa, Tao, Gerard, Bagg, Matthew K., Gadowski, Adelle, McKimmie, Ancelin, Hicks, Amelia J., Hill, Regina, Romero, Lorena, Ponsford, Jennie L., Lannin, Natasha A., Gabbe, Belinda J., Cameron, Peter A., Cooper, D. Jamie, Rushworth, Nick, Fitzgerald, Melinda, O'Brien, Terence J., Alexander, Tara, Anderson, Vicki, Armstrong, Elizabeth, Babl, Franz E., Balogh, Zsolt J., Barlow, Karen M. (AUS-TBI Initiative Investigators group member), Bellapart, Judith, Bidargaddi, Niranjan, Bosio, Erika, Bragge, Peter, Bynevelt, Michael, Caeyenberghs, Karen ... Zeeman, Heidi (2024). The Australian traumatic brain injury initiative: systematic review and consensus process to determine the predictive value of pre-existing health conditions for people with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma, 42 (21-22) neu.2023.0462, 2047-2061. doi: 10.1089/neu.2023.0462
2024
Journal Article
Development of the whole-brain functional connectome explored via graph theory analysis
Hassett, Jordan D., Craig, Brandon T., Hilderley, Alicia, Kinney-Lang, Eli, Yeates, Keith O., MacMaster, Frank P., Miller, Jillian, Noel, Melanie, Brooks, Brian L., Barlow, Karen, Lebel, Catherine, Kirton, Adam and Carlson, Helen L. (2024). Development of the whole-brain functional connectome explored via graph theory analysis. Aperture Neuro, 4, 1-15. doi: 10.52294/001c.124565
Development of the whole-brain functional connectome explored via graph theory analysis
2024
Conference Publication
Impact of hospital environment on sleep during recovery from acquired brain injury: A systematic review
Greenslade, R., Hayes, N. and Barlow, K. (2024). Impact of hospital environment on sleep during recovery from acquired brain injury: A systematic review. Sleep DownUnder 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 16-19 October 2024. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpae070.126
2024
Journal Article
American Headache Society white paper on treatment of post‐traumatic headache from concussion in youth
Patterson Gentile, Carlyn, Rosenthal, Scott, Blume, Heidi, Rastogi, Reena Gogia, McVige, Jennifer, Bicknese, Alma, Ladak, Ali, Zaveri, Harshul, Greene, Kaitlin and Barlow, Karen (2024). American Headache Society white paper on treatment of post‐traumatic headache from concussion in youth. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 64 (9), 1148-1162. doi: 10.1111/head.14795
2024
Journal Article
The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: systematic review of clinical factors associated with outcomes in people with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury
McKimmie, Ancelin, Keeves, Jemma, Gadowski, Adelle, Bagg, Matthew K., Antonic-Baker, Ana, Hicks, Amelia J., Hill, Regina, Clarke, Nyssa, Holland, Andrew, Veitch, Bill, Fatovich, Daniel, Reeder, Sandy, Romero, Lorena, Ponsford, Jennie L., Lannin, Natasha A., O’Brien, Terence J., Cooper, D. Jamie, Rushworth, Nick, Fitzgerald, Melinda, Gabbe, Belinda J., Cameron, Peter A., Alexander, Tara, Anderson, Vicki, Armstrong, Elizabeth, Babl, Franz E., Balogh, Zsolt J., Barlow, Karen M. (AUS-TBI Investigators member), Bellapart, Judith, Bidargaddi, Niranjan ... Zeeman, Heidi (2024). The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: systematic review of clinical factors associated with outcomes in people with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury. Neurotrauma Reports, 5 (1), 640-659. doi: 10.1089/neur.2023.0111
2024
Journal Article
The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Review and Recommendations for Outcome Measures for Use With Adults and Children After Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Ponsford, Jennie L., Hicks, Amelia J., Bagg, Matthew K., Phyland, Ruby, Carrier, Sarah, James, Amelia C., Lannin, Natasha A., Rushworth, Nick, O’Brien, Terence J., Cameron, Peter A., Cooper, D. Jamie, Hill, Regina, Gabbe, Belinda J., Fitzgerald, Melinda, Alexander, Tara, Anderson, Vicki, Antonic-Baker, Ana, Armstrong, Elizabeth, Babl, Franz E., Balogh, Zsolt J., Barlow, Karen M., Bellapart, Judith, Bidargaddi, Niranjan, Bosio, Erika, Bragge, Peter, Bynevelt, Michael, Caeyenberghs, Karen, Capell, Jacquelin, Chai, Kevin E.K. ... AUS-TBI Initiative Investigators (2024). The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Review and Recommendations for Outcome Measures for Use With Adults and Children After Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotrauma Reports, 5 (1), 387-408. doi: 10.1089/neur.2023.0127
Funding
Current funding
- 2025 - 2027
Mind the Gap: Partnering with consumers to implement person centred concussion management
NHMRC MRFF Traumatic Brain Injury Mission
Open grant - 2024 - 2027
National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland
National Injury Insurance Agency, Queensland
Open grant - 2023 - 2027
Decoding Brain-Behaviour Interactions to Inform Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults with Acquired Brain Injury
Research Donation Generic
Open grant - 2022 - 2026
Risk and Resilience in Developmental Diversity and Mental Health (NHMRC-EU grant administered by Murdoch Children's Research Institute)
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Open grant - 2022 - 2026
AUS-mTBI: designing and implementing the health informatics approaches to enhance treatment and care for people with mild TBI (MRFF Traumatic Brain Injury Mission administered by Curtin University)
Curtin University
View all 5 current funded projects View less
Past funding
- 2022 - 2025
Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Concussion Symptoms
NHMRC MRFF Traumatic Brain Injury Mission
Open grant - 2021 - 2022
Investigating environmental sleep pollutants and enhancing sleep to improve cognitive recovery in ABI patients
Motor Accident Insurance Commission
Open grant - 2020 - 2025
Does repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), compared to sham rTMS, improve social communication in adolescents and young adults... (MRFF RCRDUN led by Deakin University)
Deakin University
Open grant - 2019 - 2021
Health care utilization after childhood acquired brain injury in Queensland: A cost-of-illness study
The Children's Hospital Foundation
Open grant - 2019 - 2022
Healthcare utilisation after childhood traumatic brain injury in Queensland
Motor Accident Insurance Commission
Open grant - 2019 - 2023
Non-invasive brain stimulation to improve outcome after concussion: A randomised controlled trial of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of persistent post-concussive...
Motor Accident Insurance Commission
Open grant - 2018 - 2019
Lighting the way to recovery after brain injury in children using functional near infrared technology
Ian Potter Foundation
Open grant - 2018 - 2021
Caring for Children after a Concussion: Uptake, Outcomes, and Health Care Impacts of a Patient-Driven Technology-Assisted Clinical Care Pathway
Financial Markets Foundation for Children
Open grant - 2018
KidSTIM: A non-invasive neuromodulation laboratory to simultaneously improve insight and treatment of brain disorders for children in Queensland
The Children's Hospital Foundation
Open grant - 2018
KidSTIM: A non-invasive neuromodulation laboratory to simultaneously improve insight and treatment of brain disorders for children in Queensland
UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
View all 10 past funded projects View less
Supervision
Availability
Professor Karen Barlow is: : Available for supervision
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Available projects
-
Exploring neuromodulation therapies for post concussive symptoms in children
Read more Read less - #### Using mulitmodal neuroimaging to explore the neurobiology of post-concussion syndrome in children
Read more Read less - #### Clinical care pathways following concussion - using technology to guide the way
Read more Read less - #### Health service utilization after traumatic brain injury in children: what do they need and how can we help?
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Supervision history
Current supervision
- Doctor Philosophy
##### Helping children to flourish by improving sleep after childhood traumatic brain injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Stewart Trost, Associate Professor Lucy Burr, Dr Lori Delaney - Master Philosophy
##### Parent-Led Implementation of Paediatric Concussion Protocols in 2-12- year-olds in Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nathan Delang - Doctor Philosophy
##### Using non-invasive brain stimulation to improve outcomes after childhood brain injury
Principal Advisor - Doctor Philosophy
##### Investigating therapeutic interventions following concussion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Fatima Nasrallah
Completed supervision
- 2024
Doctor Philosophy
##### Using non-invasive brain stimulation to improve attention following childhood acquired brain injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Dux
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Karen Barlow directly for media enquiries about:
- acquired brain injury
- concussion
- headaches
- neuromodulation
- non-invasive brain stimulation
- traumatic brain injury
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:
External profiles
Personal links
- Personal profile
- A trial to investigate the use of melatonin to treat post concussion syndrome
- Concussion Recovery Website
Social media
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