When you think about head injuries and their causes, sports and auto accidents are probably the first thing that comes to mind. While that is often the case, the MINDSET Lab at Ohio State studies other causes of head injuries and how to best recover from them. 

“We're investigating the long-term outcomes of traumatic brain injury, and in association with experiences like post-traumatic stress,” said lab director and associate professor of psychology, Jasmeet Hayes. “In certain individuals, TBI and PTSD can make the brain more vulnerable to faster-than-expected aging and dementia.”

Hayes came to Ohio State from Boston University School of Medicine as part of Ohio State’s directive to build a chronic brain injury program. She founded the MINDSET Lab to study not only individuals involved in sports and auto accidents, but also survivors of traumatic brain injury from military service and domestic violence. 

“When you look at some of the statistics, it's staggering,” she said. “Hundreds of women are killed each year in Ohio and thousands receive services because of domestic violence. Often, head injuries go undocumented. If a survivor goes to the emergency room, visible injuries such as cuts and bruises are asked about and treated. But head injuries are often not asked about because it's more of an invisible injury.”

Founded in 2018, the MINDSET (MRI Investigation of Neurodegenerative Disease, Stress Effects, and Traumatic Brain Injury) Lab focuses on investigating the long-term impacts of psychological stress and traumatic brain injury (TBI) on cognition and the brain, particularly how they may serve as risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The MINDSET Lab is also partnering with the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). The ODVN supports and strengthens Ohio’s response to domestic violence through training, public awareness and technical assistance and to promote social change through the implementation of public policy. 

“Ohio State is unique in that it is helping to foster research collaborations with a nonprofit entity, the ODVN, that works directly with domestic violence victims,” said Hayes. “We have received a grant to investigate brain health following TBI in domestic violence victims. We are taking a lead in this important area that has previously been underrecognized.” 

Of course, the MINDSET Lab is not ignoring the more typically recognized causes of TBI. High-impact sports such as football remain a leading contributor to head injuries, especially in the United States. However, Hayes said that recent research has shown that the road to recovery from these injuries is not as bleak as initially thought. 

“Overall, the research shows a hopeful story. A lot of times when people think of a concussion, they automatically associate that with negative, long-lasting symptoms,” Hayes said. “However, the good news is that most people recover from concussion and a smaller percentage of people have ongoing symptoms past one year. We are studying the factors that can lead to faster versus slower recovery.”

When it comes to collegiate athletes, and those with concussion symptoms in general, early reporting is often the most critical part of preventing lasting symptoms. 

“Athletes who delay reporting their concussion tend to have worse long-term outcomes,” she said. “One of the things that I like to emphasize is that when an athlete has a concussion, they should report it right away and get it checked out. In some circumstances, it’s critical for them to sit out of the game to let their brain do the important job of recovery.”

Additionally, Hayes said that new research has shown a more productive way to recover from a concussion than what was previously thought. 

“In the past, we used to say, go into a dark room and rest for an extended period of time. We're not recommending that anymore,” Hayes said. “Introducing activities like light, non-contact exercise is helpful, as well as good nutrition, and making sure the athlete is getting restful sleep are now the priority. It’s important that the athlete continues activities without isolating themselves.” 

Hayes and her team at the MINDSET Lab have grown exponentially since 2018. In addition to continued funding, they have been able to expand their work and research into new areas of inquiry. 

One major project is the Buckeye Concussion Knowledge Survey (BUCKS), which aims to study Ohio State alumni athletes and how a history of TBI is currently affecting their lives, if at all. 

“We have two major studies that we're currently recruiting for,” Hayes said. “The BUCKS study is recruiting Ohio State Varsity athlete alumni. In addition, we are recruiting individuals with TBI for the Fitness, Aging, Stress, and TBI Effects Repository (FASTER) study, in which we are studying the factors that keep our brain healthy through adulthood. Although research has traditionally focused on the negative outcomes of aging, there are many behaviors we can engage in to keep our brains fit and healthy through adulthood. Often, the positive outcomes are not talked about.”

If you are interested in participating in a research study at the MINDSET Lab, contact Dr. Jasmeet Hayes at hayes.1075@osu.edu or at MINDSET@osu.edu.