# Impact of intimate partner violence-related mild traumatic brain injuries on neural, cognitive, and psychological health of women

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $36,590

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The effects of repetitive neurotrauma on women's health are almost entirely unknown. This study will
examine the neurobiological, cognitive, and psychological effects of repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries
(rMTBIs) in women who are subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV). IPV is violence perpetrated by a
current or former spouse, partner, significant other, boyfriend, or girlfriend, and it is the most common
form of violence against women. Globally, nearly 1 in 3 women over the age of 15 have experienced IPV,
and several reports have shown that women subjected to IPV experience rMTBIs at alarmingly high rates.
In one sample of 99 women, approximately half indicated a history of repetitive IPV-related TBIs, and
these injuries were related to measures of both cognition and psychological health. It is believed by many,
that the sequelae of these rMTBIs (e.g., cognitive difficulties) likely contribute to the challenges women
experience in trying to escape an already complex and dangerous abusive situation. IPV-related rMTBI is
a critical but unappreciated public health epidemic. Although there have been a number of calls for
research on this topic, very few studies exist. Only our two published studies have used neuroimaging to
examine the association between rMTBIs and markers of neurotrauma in women who have experienced
IPV. Therefore, in a sample of women who have previously sustained IPV, we will collect resting state
functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion MRI data to assess functional and
microstructural connectivity abnormalities, as well as magnetic resonance spectroscopy data and blood
samples to test for altered levels of relevant neurometabolites and proteins. We will also collect cognitive,
psychological, and post-concussion symptom measures to relate to these neurobiological measures. A
better understanding of rMTBIs and their association with neurobiological abnormalities, cognition, and
psychological health in women subjected to IPV will enable more efficacious care and treatment, and
ultimately improve health outcomes for this highly underserved and often misunderstood population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10241093
- **Project number:** 3R01NS112694-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** EVE M VALERA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $36,590
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10241093

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10241093, Impact of intimate partner violence-related mild traumatic brain injuries on neural, cognitive, and psychological health of women (3R01NS112694-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10241093. Licensed CC0.

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