A presentation and discussion with:

Thomas Watanabe, MD 

Clinical Director, Drucker Brain Injury Center; Co-Director, Stroke Rehabilitation Program; Co-Principal Investigator, Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Brain Injury Center

Dr. Watanabe is the Clinical Director of the Drucker Brain Injury Center at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. He is actively involved in inpatient and outpatient clinical care, as well as the research and training of fellows, resident physicians, and medical students. He has lectured extensively at local, national, and international conferences on topics related to the care of individuals with neurological injuries. His primary clinical and research focus is on the medical management of individuals with traumatic brain injury. He has research grant support from the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems of Care and serves on the editorial board of the  Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

There is increasing awareness of the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in many problems experienced after mild to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Changes in autonomic control have been linked to numerous post-TBI challenges, including dizziness, headaches, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disrupted sleep, and cognitive difficulties. New research suggests that interventions aimed at restoring more typical heart rate control may help reduce these problems. The goals of this presentation include describing how TBI can affect the ANS, including heart rate regulation, how loss of autonomic control can lead to specific post-TBI challenges, and how these issues can be identified and treated.

This FREE session is intended for a professional audience. Questions can be directed to MJ Schmidt at schmidt@biapa.org.