Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
Investigations on Alterations of Hippocampal Circuit Function Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: November 19, 2012
Persistent Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Men After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Temporal Hormone Profiles and
David J Barton1, Raj G Kumar, Emily H McCullough
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Messrs Barton and Kumar, Ms McCullough, and Drs Galang, Arenth, and Wagner); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Berga); and Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Wagner).
Objective:
To (1) examine relationships between persistent hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (PHH) and long-term outcomes after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI); and (2) determine whether subacute testosterone levels can predict PHH.
Setting:
Level 1 trauma center at a university hospital.
Participants:
Consecutive sample of men with severe TBI between 2004 and 2009.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Main Measures:
Post-TBI blood samples were collected during week 1, every 2 weeks until 26 weeks, and at 52 weeks. Serum hormone levels were measured, and individuals were designated as having PHH if 50% or more of samples met criteria for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. At 6 and 12 months postinjury, we assessed global outcome, disability, functional cognition, depression, and quality of life.
Results:
We recruited 78 men; median (interquartile range) age was 28.5 (22-42) years. Thirty-four patients (44%) had PHH during the first year postinjury. Multivariable regression, controlling for age, demonstrated PHH status predicted worse global outcome scores, more disability, and reduced functional cognition at 6 and 12 months post-TBI. Two-step testosterone screening for PHH at 12 to 16 weeks postinjury yielded a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 100%.
Conclusion:
PHH status in men predicts poor outcome after severe TBI, and PHH can accurately be predicted at 12 to 16 weeks.
