Research Themes
High-Resolution Neurocritical Care Data Collection
The foundational theme of the group is the creation of standardised, multicentre databases of physiological monitoring data from patients with severe brain injury. The original BrainIT initiative was established to improve data standardisation across intensive care units, develop a common core dataset, and support large-scale collaborative analyses.
Monitoring and Management of Intracranial Pressure (ICP)
Intracranial pressure, is one of the key physiological parameters in severe brain injury care and a focus of the group is improving recognition and management of secondary brain injury caused by intracranial pressure. Recent and historical studies have examined:
- Early detection of raised ICP episodes.
- Time-series modelling and prediction of ICP trends.
- Physiological factors associated with ICP changes.
Physiological Prediction and Artificial Intelligence
BrainIT was amongst the earliest neurocritical care groups applying AI and advanced statistical modelling to bedside physiological monitoring data. A strong theme of the group is is the use of machine learning, Bayesian methods, and predictive analytics to anticipate clinical deterioration before it becomes apparent to clinicians
Cerebral Perfusion and Autoregulation
Studies from the group have reflected a broad interest in understanding how cerebral blood flow can be optimised to reduce secondary injury after traumatic brain injury and have investigated:
- Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP).
- Variability in CPP between centres and patients.
- Pressure autoregulation monitoring.
- Individualised CPP targets.