Neuroglobin has been described as a marker of traumatic brain injury. Nogo-A plays an important role in mediating neuroanatomical plasticity and functional recovery following traumatic brain injury. The investigators sought to examine the changes in serum neuroglobin and Nogo-A concentrations in patients with traumatic brain injury during the initial 96-h posttraumatic period and assessed the relation of neuroglobin and Nogo-A to Glasgow Coma Score and prognosis of such patients with traumatic brain injury.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who suffered head trauma and whose highest abbreviated injury score (AIS) was 3 or less (other than head injury)
• Patients who delivered to hospital within 4 h

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who suffered open injuries
• Patients who had existing prior neurological disease
• Patients whose serial serum samples could not be obtained
• Patients less than 18 years of age
• Patients who suffered severe life-threatening injury to organs other than the brain

The patient group comprised 21 male and 13 female. Their age ranged from 19 to 68 years, with mean age of 45.1 years. The mechanisms of trauma included motor vehicle collisions, falls, heavy strikes (patients who were hit by heavy objects such as bricks, sticks, or falling objects) and assaults. Types of lesions, as evidenced by radiologic and neurologic symptoms or signs, included cerebral contusions/lacerations, intracranial hematomas, brain stem injury and diffuse axonal injury.