The Pathophysiology of Traumatic Brain Injuries and the Rationale Behind Creatine Supplementation as a Potential Therapy: A Review.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are detrimental to the brain in a variety of ways. Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are concussions; these are common events that disrupt typical brain functioning and send millions of patients to seek acute care each year globally. Despite the frequency of mTBIs, clinicians have few tools, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, to promote recovery and alleviate symptoms. After a TBI, complex biomolecular signaling, diffuse axonal stretching, and glutamate excitotoxicity occur, along with other pathological sequelae. Creatine has been shown to improve cognitive functioning in healthy adults. Burgeoning research is providing evidence that creatine may enhance recovery from TBI, as it directly targets derangements from such trauma.