TRANSCENDENT (Transforming Research by Assessing Neuroinformatics across the Spectrum of Concussion by Embedding Interdisciplinary Data-collection to Enable Novel Treatments), one of OBI’s newest Integrated Discovery Programs (IDPs), is set to redefine concussion care in Canada and the world. Through a national Priority Setting Partnership exercise, over 1,000 participants—patients with lived experience, caregivers, and clinicians—identified the top ten unanswered questions in concussion care. This patient-centered approach shaped the foundation of TRANSCENDENT, ensuring its research focuses on the most pressing concerns of those affected by concussions. Uniquely positioned to address these top ten priority areas, TRANSCENDENT is committed to improving patient outcomes in meaningful ways.
Since its launch this year, TRANSCENDENT has quickly become a hub for Canadian concussion expertise by embracing an inclusive and comprehensive approach. Unlike previous studies that focused on specific groups, such as professional athletes or military veterans, TRANSCENDENT collects data across the full spectrum of concussion patients, incorporating diverse ages, genders, and injury mechanisms.
“The program also tackles a significant challenge in concussion research; individuals with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, who often experience poorer outcomes, were frequently excluded from previous concussion studies,” said TRANSCENDENT program lead Dr. Roger Zemek, a pediatric emergency physician and senior scientist at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).
The program's collaborative approach extends beyond patient inclusion. TRANSCENDENT works closely with partners such as CHEO Research Institute, 360 Concussion Care, and leading researchers from institutions across North America including Harvard, UCLA, and the University of Pennsylvania. This "team science" model brings together researchers and healthcare professionals to accelerate concussion research and translate findings into clinical care. Focus areas include evaluating the effectiveness of treatments, understanding how individual characteristics impact recovery, and establishing best practices for returning to daily activities post-concussion.
"TRANSCENDENT is set to advance the field through innovative data linkage, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of personalized care pathways that consider each patient’s unique characteristics and needs."
- Dr. Roger Zemek, TRANSCENDENT program lead
TRANSCENDENT’s influence is already being felt outside the research lab. In early 2024, the program sponsored the Canadian Concussion Network’s annual meeting and co-hosted a Community Concussion Information Session in Ottawa. At the 2024 Sports Symposium, hosted by the Sport Information Resource Centre, TRANSCENDENT program lead Dr. Roger Zemek highlighted the program’s potential to transform concussion care by understanding diverse recovery patterns and personalizing treatments. Additionally, Dr. John Leddy, TRANSCENDENT program co-PI, was honored with the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS) Award for Innovative Clinical Treatment, recognizing his contributions to advancing concussion care. TRANSCENDENT’s work has also garnered media attention, with coverage by CBC and CTV News.
Looking ahead, TRANSCENDENT is poised to revolutionize concussion care in Canada by driving the transition from a one-size-fits-all approach to a future of personalized care. By building a full-spectrum concussion data registry and utilizing comprehensive datasets, the program seeks to uncover how patient characteristics—such as age, sex, and psychosocial factors—alongside biomarkers like physiological, fluid, and neuroimaging, influence recovery. This data-driven approach will enable healthcare providers to deliver the right care to the right patient at the right time. The program will also continuously update concussion guidelines to ensure the latest research is promptly integrated into clinical practice.
By integrating innovative research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and centering patient needs and characteristics, TRANSCENDENT is setting a new benchmark for concussion care in Canada. “We know that concussion is a leading cause of debilitation for a growing number of people, and efforts like TRANSCENDENT have the potential to accelerate solutions and transform care,” Dr. Tom Mikkelsen, OBI’s president and scientific director, said of this emerging powerhouse network.
Learn more about TRANSCENDENT's novel approach to concussion care.
Header image courtesy of André D. Coutu, CHEO
