Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion Treatment
Traumatic brain injury and concussion treatment at The Neurogenesis Project begins where standard neurology stops. Most TBI patients are told their MRI looks fine and sent home with a prescription for rest—but metabolic damage, chronic neuroinflammation, and disrupted neural connectivity continue to drive symptoms for months or years. We pick up where that evaluation left off.
Available at our St. Marys, Georgia clinic.
Why Most TBI Patients Are Still Struggling
A normal CT scan or structural MRI does not mean a normal brain. These imaging tools are designed to detect fractures, bleeds, and large structural lesions. They were never built to identify the diffuse axonal injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, or low-grade neuroinflammation that drives most persistent TBI symptoms. A 2015 study published in The Journal of Neurotrauma (Eierud et al., 2014) found that up to 30% of patients with mild TBI and normal conventional imaging still showed abnormalities on advanced neuroimaging sequences.
The result is a diagnostic gap. Patients present with headaches, brain fog, fatigue, irritability, sleep disruption, and worsening mood. Their scans come back clean. They’re told to give it time, try physical therapy, or see a psychiatrist. Some are prescribed antidepressants or stimulants to mask individual symptoms without addressing the underlying injury.
This is not a failure of effort by the treating physicians. It is a failure of the standard workup. The tools most neurologists rely on were designed for a different set of questions. When you ask the wrong question, you get the wrong answer—and the patient stays stuck.
Chronic TBI also carries a measurable metabolic cost. Research from the Department of Defense TBI Biomarker Study (Gill et al., 2018, published in JAMA Neurology) demonstrated persistently elevated levels of tau, GFAP, and other neuroinflammatory markers in patients with mild TBI months after injury. These markers point to ongoing cellular damage that no amount of rest will resolve on its own.
What Advanced Diagnostics Reveal
We begin every TBI evaluation with diagnostic tools that go beyond structure and into function. PET scanning maps glucose metabolism across every region of the brain. In TBI patients, PET frequently reveals areas of hypometabolism—regions that are alive but operating well below capacity. These metabolic cold spots correlate directly with the cognitive and emotional symptoms patients describe.
Functional MRI adds a second layer by measuring connectivity between neural networks. TBI often disrupts the default mode network, the salience network, and frontoparietal circuits responsible for attention and executive function. A study by Mayer et al. (2011, published in Human Brain Mapping) showed that functional connectivity disruptions in mild TBI patients predicted symptom severity more accurately than any structural finding.
Neurogenomic lab panels complete the picture. We measure inflammatory cytokines, markers of oxidative stress, neurotransmitter metabolites, mitochondrial function markers, and genetic variants that affect how a given patient metabolizes nutrients, clears toxins, and repairs myelin. These labs tell us not just what is broken, but why recovery has stalled for a particular individual.
The combination of metabolic imaging, connectivity mapping, and molecular profiling produces a level of diagnostic detail that no single test can provide alone. Learn more about our imaging approach on our brain imaging page.
Our Treatment Protocol for TBI
Once diagnostic testing identifies the specific injury pattern, we assemble a treatment protocol from therapies that target mitochondrial recovery, neuroinflammation, and cellular repair. No two TBI cases are identical, and no two protocols should be either.
NAD+ intravenous therapy is a foundational component. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is the central coenzyme in mitochondrial energy production. After TBI, mitochondria in injured neurons become dysfunctional, producing less ATP and generating more reactive oxygen species. IV NAD+ restores the substrate these organelles need to resume normal energy output. A 2017 study by Ying and colleagues (published in Frontiers in Bioscience) demonstrated that NAD+ repletion protected neurons from secondary injury cascades in preclinical TBI models.
Exosome therapy delivers extracellular vesicles loaded with anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and microRNAs directly into the system. These vesicles cross the blood-brain barrier and modulate the local immune response at injury sites. Zhang et al. (2015, published in Neuroscience Letters) showed that mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes improved functional recovery and reduced neuroinflammation in TBI animal models.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy goes further by introducing cells capable of paracrine signaling, immunomodulation, and direct support of tissue repair. These cells home to areas of inflammation and begin releasing trophic factors that promote angiogenesis, reduce scarring, and support axonal regrowth. Cox et al. (2017, published in Stem Cells) reported improved outcomes and reduced neuroinflammatory markers in TBI patients treated with autologous bone marrow-derived cells.
These therapies are delivered together during our Intensive Brain Health Program, a three-to-five-day immersive protocol that combines diagnostics, physician review, and a full course of treatment in a single visit.
Who We See
TBI affects people from every background and at every stage of life. These are the populations we treat most often.
Athletes & Former Athletes
Contact sport athletes accumulate subconcussive hits over years. Football, hockey, soccer, boxing, and MMA athletes frequently present with cognitive decline, mood instability, and sleep disruption years after their playing careers have ended. We evaluate the cumulative metabolic toll of repetitive head impacts and build protocols around the specific regions affected.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car and motorcycle accidents produce sudden acceleration- deceleration forces that damage axons diffusely throughout the brain. Many patients are cleared by an ER CT scan and told to follow up with their primary care doctor. Months later, they’re still dealing with headaches, cognitive slowing, and fatigue that nobody can explain. Advanced imaging frequently reveals the damage that the initial workup missed.
Military & Veterans
Blast exposure produces a distinct pattern of brain injury that differs from blunt-impact TBI. The pressure wave from an IED or mortar round damages small blood vessels and white matter tracts in ways that conventional imaging often cannot detect. Veterans frequently carry overlapping TBI and PTSD, which complicates diagnosis and limits the effectiveness of standard VA treatment protocols. Our diagnostic approach separates these overlapping conditions so each can be treated directly.
Falls & Workplace Injuries
Falls are the leading cause of TBI across all age groups, according to the CDC. Construction workers, warehouse employees, and older adults who sustain falls with head impact often develop persistent symptoms that are attributed to aging, stress, or depression rather than to the injury itself. A proper metabolic and functional workup frequently identifies treatable pathology that has been overlooked.
Related Treatments
NAD+ IV Therapy
Restore mitochondrial energy production in neurons damaged by trauma. NAD+ is the primary substrate for ATP synthesis and a key regulator of DNA repair enzymes activated after brain injury.
Exosome Therapy
Extracellular vesicles that cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver anti-inflammatory signals, growth factors, and regulatory microRNAs to injured neural tissue.
Stem Cell Therapy
Mesenchymal stem cells modulate the post-injury immune response, reduce glial scarring, and release neurotrophic factors that support axonal repair and new vessel formation.
What to Expect
Injury history and symptom assessment
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Dr. Orr takes a detailed history of the injury mechanism, loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia, and the timeline of symptom development. He evaluates current symptoms including headache, cognitive difficulty, mood changes, dizziness, sleep disruption, and light or noise sensitivity.
Neurological examination
Estimated time: 30 minutes
A comprehensive neurological exam assesses cognitive function, cranial nerves, vestibular and oculomotor function, balance, coordination, and reflexes. Findings help localize areas of brain dysfunction and guide diagnostic testing.
Advanced diagnostic imaging
Estimated time: 1 hour
Dr. Orr orders brain MRI, often including diffusion tensor imaging to evaluate white matter tract integrity, and volumetric analysis to detect subtle volume changes. Additional testing may include EEG, vestibular testing, or PET imaging depending on the clinical presentation.
Cognitive and neurobehavioral testing
Estimated time: 45 minutes
Standardized assessments measure memory, processing speed, attention, executive function, and emotional regulation. These scores quantify the impact of the injury and serve as the baseline for tracking recovery.
Individualized treatment protocol
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Dr. Orr designs a treatment plan that may include NAD+ IV therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, exosome or stem cell therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation. The protocol targets the specific deficits identified in your evaluation and is adjusted as recovery progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes The Neurogenesis Project different for TBI patients?+
Most neurologists stop at a standard MRI. We use advanced imaging and blood tests to find the brain damage that standard scans miss, then build a treatment plan around your specific injury.
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Most neurology practices evaluate TBI with a structural MRI and a brief office visit. If the MRI is normal, the patient is told to rest and wait. We start where that workup ends. Our clinic uses functional neuroimaging, neurogenomic labs, and inflammatory biomarker panels to identify the metabolic and cellular damage that standard imaging misses. From there, we build a treatment protocol around each patient’s specific injury pattern rather than prescribing the same generic concussion plan for everyone.
What diagnostic tools do you use for TBI evaluation?+
PET scans to measure brain activity, advanced MRI to map brain connections, and blood tests to check for inflammation and metabolic problems. These reveal injuries that standard CT and MRI cannot detect.
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We use PET scanning to map regional metabolic activity in the brain, functional MRI to assess connectivity between neural networks, and a full panel of neurogenomic and inflammatory markers drawn from blood work. These tests reveal patterns of hypometabolism, neuroinflammation, and disrupted connectivity that a conventional CT or structural MRI cannot detect. The diagnostic findings then guide which therapies we prioritize and in what sequence.
What treatments are available for TBI at your clinic?+
NAD+ IV infusions to restore cellular energy, exosome therapy to reduce inflammation, and stem cell therapy to support brain repair. These are combined based on your test results.
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Our TBI protocols draw from several regenerative and metabolic therapies. NAD+ intravenous infusions restore mitochondrial function in injured neurons. Exosome therapy delivers anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic signaling molecules directly to damaged tissue. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy supports cellular repair and modulates the immune response in the brain. These therapies are combined and sequenced based on each patient’s diagnostic results.
How long does TBI treatment take?+
The initial program takes three to five consecutive days. Follow-up visits may be recommended every four to eight weeks. Most patients notice changes within two to four weeks.
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Our Intensive Brain Health Program is typically delivered over three to five consecutive days. Patients receive diagnostic testing, a detailed review of findings with Dr. Orr, and a full course of IV-based and regenerative therapies during that window. Some patients return for follow-up infusion cycles at intervals of four to eight weeks depending on their response. Recovery timelines vary based on injury severity, time since injury, and individual biology, but most patients notice measurable changes within the first two to four weeks after completing the initial program.
Does insurance cover TBI treatment at your clinic?+
We are out of network. We provide documentation you can submit to your insurer for possible reimbursement, and our coordinator discusses costs before you schedule.
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The Neurogenesis Project operates outside of insurance networks. Our diagnostic and treatment protocols use therapies that are not typically covered by commercial insurance plans or Medicare. We provide detailed superbills and medical documentation that patients can submit to their carriers for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Our patient coordinator can discuss costs, payment plans, and documentation options before you schedule.
Who is a good candidate for this program?+
Anyone with a brain injury who still has symptoms, whether the injury happened recently or years ago. We also see patients who have recovered but want to optimize their brain health further.
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We see patients with recent concussions, chronic post-concussive syndrome, repetitive subconcussive exposure from contact sports, blast injuries, and moderate-to-severe TBI with persistent symptoms. Good candidates are those who have not responded to standard rehabilitation, who continue to experience cognitive, mood, or sleep disturbances months or years after injury, or who want a more thorough diagnostic evaluation than they have received elsewhere. We also evaluate patients who are functionally stable but want to optimize their recovery trajectory.
Can brain damage from TBI be seen on standard MRI, or do I need advanced imaging?+
Standard MRI often looks normal after a concussion or mild TBI. Advanced imaging like DTI and NeuroQuant can detect the microscopic damage that conventional scans miss.
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Mild to moderate TBI frequently produces normal results on standard MRI. The injuries involve diffuse axonal damage below the resolution of conventional sequences. DTI maps white matter tract integrity and can detect injury standard MRI cannot see. NeuroQuant identifies subtle regional volume loss. We routinely use both because standard imaging alone is insufficient.
How long after a brain injury can treatment still make a difference?+
There is no expiration date. The brain retains the ability to heal for years after injury. We treat patients who were injured months, years, and even decades ago.
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There is no absolute expiration date. The outdated view that recovery plateaus at six to twelve months has been replaced by evidence that neuroplasticity continues for years. We treat patients who sustained injuries months, years, and decades ago. Patients presenting years later often have treatable contributors like neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and hormonal deficits that have never been addressed.
How much does the TBI evaluation and treatment program cost?+
$8,000 to $20,000 depending on the scope of testing and treatment. This covers the full evaluation, brain imaging, cognitive testing, and IV therapies.
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The Intensive Brain Health Program for TBI ranges from $8,000 to $20,000 depending on diagnostic testing scope, IV therapy protocols, and treatment days. This covers the full evaluation, lab panels, brain imaging with NeuroQuant, neurocognitive testing, NeuroCoaching, and IV infusions. We provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
Your Brain Injury Deserves a Real Evaluation
If you’ve been told your scans are normal but you still don’t feel right, that gap between what the tests show and what you experience is exactly where we work. Dr. Orr and the team at The Neurogenesis Project are accepting new TBI patients in St. Marys, Georgia.