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Brain Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Relationship Between Brain Care Score and Disability in Subacute-Long
Maral Sakayan1,2, Maria T Paulino1, Amanda S Fang1
1Neurology Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion (NTBIC) Program, Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA (MS, MTP, ASF, CJ, ST-V, AK, AC, ML, PMC).
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
|August 10, 2026
Summary
Brain health, measured by the Brain Care Score (BCS), is crucial for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Higher BCS is linked to a reduced risk of disability following TBI.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Brain Health Research
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common condition with varied recovery outcomes and links to dementia.
- Brain health is a known factor in dementia risk but has not been extensively studied in TBI patients.
- The Brain Care Score (BCS) is a validated tool for assessing brain health through physical, lifestyle, and social factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using the Brain Care Score (BCS) in a clinical setting for individuals with TBI.
- To investigate the association between brain health (BCS) and disability outcomes in TBI patients.
- To identify potential modifiable risk factors for long-term disability after TBI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study including 185 adult patients with self-reported TBI visiting a specialized clinic.
- Data collection included patient demographics, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Brain Care Score (BCS), and functional outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended, GOSE).
- Disability was defined as GOSE <7. Multivariable analysis was used to assess the association between ISS, BCS, and disability, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- The study included 185 patients, with 64.9% experiencing disability (mean GOSE 5.11).
- Patients with disability had significantly lower BCS scores compared to non-disabled patients (14.9 vs. 16.8, P < 0.001).
- Higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) was associated with increased odds of disability (OR = 1.06, P = 0.006), while higher BCS was associated with lower odds of disability (OR = 0.779, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Measuring brain health using BCS is feasible in TBI clinical settings.
- Higher Brain Care Score is significantly associated with a reduced risk of disability in TBI survivors.
- Brain health, as assessed by BCS, may represent an important, potentially modifiable factor influencing long-term outcomes after TBI.
