Neurosurgeon wins brain injury research award
Sunnybrook neurosurgeon Dr. Leodante da Costa has received funding to advance his brain injury research, as one of 16 winners in the first round of GE and the National Football League's "Head Health Challenge."
Dr. da Costa's research could become a standard way of more effectively determining the proper time to "return to play" in sports, resume work or physical activity after a mild traumatic head injury or concussion.
Challenge winners each receive $300,000 in funding to advance their research. Launched in 2013, the Challenge aims to enhance the understanding of traumatic brain injury and advance technology solutions to better diagnose and treat such conditions.
Sue Siegel, CEO of GE Ventures & healthymagination, said, "We launched the Challenge as a call to action to fast-track advancement in head health. The Challenge has shown us a remarkable number of breakthrough ideas that deserve attention, investment and further research."
Dr. da Costa's research was selected among 400 entries from 27 countries. Dr. da Costa's research focuses on ways to detect and measure the ability of the blood vessels in the brain to respond in the event of head injury. The research was highlighted as an area of interest by the Challenge's panel of leading healthcare experts and advocates in brain research and imaging technologies.
