The “TBI, not just for humans” thematic issue is complete! Just published in The Anatomical Record, the introduction to that issue, summarizes seven publications on the topic of brain injury in non-model species.

A collage of the various animals that perform head-impact behavior, as covered in the symposium and this thematic issue. Clockwise: Woodpeckers pecking, helmeted hornbills clashing in flight, muskoxen headbutting, mangrove rivulus fish jumping, and Pachycephalosaurids flank-butting. Art by Tara Barnes-Tompkins © 2025.

ABSTRACT

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death that can develop into long-term disability, causing significant healthcare burden. The last decade has shown laudable advancements in disease characterization, but challenges remain in injury prevention and in understanding the link between TBI and chronic neurodegenerative disease.

Historically, animal models have been crucial in untangling molecular mechanisms of injury, but difficulties in translation have resulted in a lack of applicable therapies. The ongoing search for treatment has overlooked the potential of animals that experience repeated, high-velocity head impacts as part of their natural behavior. Addressing this gap could improve our understanding of acute and chronic effects of head injury and potential protective mechanisms.

TBI, not just for humans is a thematic issue covering an array of topics surrounding brain injury and non-model species. Topics include a paleontological perspective of head-hitting in extinct species, a historic perspective on head-hitting animals and TBI, non-model animals in biomedicine, anatomical descriptions of exotic head-hitters like helmeted hornbills and muskoxen, and a molecular investigation of resilience pathways against brain injury in woodpeckers.

Since prehistory, humans have observed animals hitting heads and wondered whether it resulted in brain injury. Using evidence-based approaches rooted in biology, we may better understand our own brain injuries by studying the animals that regularly engage in such behaviors. The untapped potential of non-model species should be recognized and integrated into the field as we continue to search for solutions to the neurodegeneration crisis.

Find the paper online here: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70183

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