Overview
Background
I am an academic paediatric neurologist, clinical researcher, and specialist in acquired brain injury in children and adolescence. I studied at the University of Edinburgh and British Columbia before taking up my first academic position at the University of Calgary in 2002. Here I developed and directed the Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Research Program at the Alberta Children's Hospital and where I cemented my interest in the biology and treatment of children with brain injuries. I have extensive clinical research experience, devising and overseeing clinical trials in children both nationally and internationally. I moved to the Child Health Research Centre at the University of Queensland, Australia in October 2017 and joined the Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service and Queensland Cerebral Palsy Rehabililation Centre to facilitate research into improving the health outcomes of children with acquired brain injury in Queensland and Australia.
My research focuses on the neurobiological signatures and treatment of subtle neurological dysfunction in mild traumatic brain injury and concussion, especially the behavioural and cognitive impairments that are found in post-concussion syndrome. I use multimodal neurological assessments to do this. My research explores combining neuroimaging and neurophysiological investigations, including perfusion studies using MRI (ASL-fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation to help us understand the changes in the brain in children who are slow to recovery following a concussion. This is to help us develop and assess more effective and tailored treatments for children with concussion and traumatic brain injury. I explore novel therapies for children with persistent post-concussive symptoms in clinical trials including the use of neuraceuticals, pharmacotherapies, and non-invasive brain stimulation treatment.
I am the director of the newly-established KidStim Lab at the Child Health Research Centre. This is the first non-invasive neuromodulation facility aimed at improving the health outcomes of children with brain injury in Australia and is led by a mulitdisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists from Brisbane bring a unique clinical and scientific knowledge-base to help achieve our goals. Rehabilitation therapy in combination with repetitive transcranial direct current stimulation (rTMS) and other direct current stimulation modalities (e.g. tDCS) will be explored. It also offers the potential for treatment of the mood and behavioural disorders (e.g. depression and anxiety) commonly seen after brain injury but also so disruptive to the life of the normally developing teenager.
Availability
- Professor Karen Barlow is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, University of Edinburgh
Research interests
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Paediatric Neurology
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Neurotrauma
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Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury
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Headache and pain disorders
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Clinical trials
Works
Search Professor Karen Barlow’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Longitudinal changes in brain metabolites following pediatric concussion
La, Parker L., Walker, Robyn, Bell, Tiffany K., Craig, William, Doan, Quynh, Beauchamp, Miriam H., Zemek, Roger, Yeates, Keith Owen, Harris, Ashley D., Yeates, Keith Owen, Beauchamp, Miriam H., Bjornson, Bruce H., Gravel, Jocelyn, Mikrogianakis, Angelo, Goodyear, Bradley, Abdeen, Nishard, Beaulieu, Christian, Dehaes, Mathieu, Deschenes, Sylvain, Harris, Ashley D., Lebel, Catherine, Lamont, Ryan, Williamson, Tyler, Barlow, Karen Maria (Pediatric Emergency Research Canada A-CAP study team member), Bernier, Francois, Brooks, Brian L., Emery, Carolyn, Freedman, Stephen B., Kowalski, Kristina ... Schneider, Kathryn J. (2024). Longitudinal changes in brain metabolites following pediatric concussion. Scientific Reports, 14 (1) 3242. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-52744-7
2024
Journal Article
Development of the whole-brain functional connectome explored via graph theory analysis
Hassett, Jordan D., Craig, Brandon T., Hilderley, Alicia, Kinney-Lang, Eli, Yeates, Keith O., MacMaster, Frank P., Miller, Jillian, Noel, Melanie, Brooks, Brian L., Barlow, Karen, Lebel, Catherine, Kirton, Adam and Carlson, Helen L. (2024). Development of the whole-brain functional connectome explored via graph theory analysis. Aperture Neuro, 4. doi: 10.52294/001c.124565
2024
Journal Article
American Headache Society white paper on treatment of post‐traumatic headache from concussion in youth
Patterson Gentile, Carlyn, Rosenthal, Scott, Blume, Heidi, Rastogi, Reena Gogia, McVige, Jennifer, Bicknese, Alma, Ladak, Ali, Zaveri, Harshul, Greene, Kaitlin and Barlow, Karen (2024). American Headache Society white paper on treatment of post‐traumatic headache from concussion in youth. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 64 (9), 1148-1162. doi: 10.1111/head.14795
2024
Journal Article
The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Systematic Review of Clinical Factors Associated with Outcomes in People with Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
McKimmie, Ancelin, Keeves, Jemma, Gadowski, Adelle, Bagg, Matthew K., Antonic-Baker, Ana, Hicks, Amelia J., Hill, Regina, Clarke, Nyssa, Holland, Andrew, Veitch, Bill, Fatovich, Daniel, Reeder, Sandy, Romero, Lorena, Ponsford, Jennie L., Lannin, Natasha A., O’Brien, Terence J., Cooper, D. Jamie, Rushworth, Nick, Fitzgerald, Melinda, Gabbe, Belinda J., Cameron, Peter A., Alexander, Tara, Anderson, Vicki, Armstrong, Elizabeth, Babl, Franz E., Balogh, Zsolt J., Barlow, Karen M., Bellapart, Judith, Bidargaddi, Niranjan ... Zeeman, Heidi (2024). The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Systematic Review of Clinical Factors Associated with Outcomes in People with Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotrauma Reports, 5 (1), 640-659. doi: 10.1089/neur.2023.0111
2024
Journal Article
The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Review and Recommendations for Outcome Measures for Use With Adults and Children After Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Ponsford, Jennie L., Hicks, Amelia J., Bagg, Matthew K., Phyland, Ruby, Carrier, Sarah, James, Amelia C., Lannin, Natasha A., Rushworth, Nick, O’Brien, Terence J., Cameron, Peter A., Cooper, D. Jamie, Hill, Regina, Gabbe, Belinda J., Fitzgerald, Melinda, Alexander, Tara, Anderson, Vicki, Antonic-Baker, Ana, Armstrong, Elizabeth, Babl, Franz E., Balogh, Zsolt J., Barlow, Karen M., Bellapart, Judith, Bidargaddi, Niranjan, Bosio, Erika, Bragge, Peter, Bynevelt, Michael, Caeyenberghs, Karen, Capell, Jacquelin, Chai, Kevin E.K. ... AUS-TBI Initiative Investigators (2024). The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Review and Recommendations for Outcome Measures for Use With Adults and Children After Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotrauma Reports, 5 (1), 387-408. doi: 10.1089/neur.2023.0127
2024
Journal Article
Do preinjury life events moderate the outcomes of mild traumatic brain injuries in children? An A-CAP Study
Dharsee, Safira, Tang, Ken, Beauchamp, Miriam H., Craig, William, Doan, Quynh, Freedman, Stephen B., Gravel, Jocelyn, Zemek, Roger, Yeates, Keith Owen, on behalf of the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada (PERC) A-CAP Study Team, Bjornson, Bruce H., Mikrogianakis, Angelo, Goodyear, Bradley, Abdeen, Nishard, Beaulieu, Christian, Dehaes, Mathieu, Deschenes, Sylvain, Harris, Ashley, Lebel, Catherine, Lamont, Ryan, Williamson, Tyler, Barlow, Karen Maria, Bernier, Francois, Brooks, Brian L., Emery, Carolyn, Kowalski, Kristina, Mrklas, Kelly, Tomfohr-Madsen, Lianne and Schneider, Kathryn J. (2024). Do preinjury life events moderate the outcomes of mild traumatic brain injuries in children? An A-CAP Study. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 49 (3), 195-206. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsae007
2024
Journal Article
The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: systematic review of predictive value of biological markers for people with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury
Bagg, Matthew, Hellewell, Sarah Claire, Keeves, Jemma, Antonic-Baker, Ana, McKimmie, Ancelin, Hicks, Amelia, Gadowski, Adelle, Newcombe, Virginia, Barlow, Karen Maria, Balogh, Zsolt, Ross, Jason, Law, Meng, Caeyenberghs, Karen, Parizel, Paul, Thorne, Jacinta, Papini, Melissa, Gill, Geena, Jefferson, Amanada, Ponsford, Jennie, Lannin, Natasha A, O'Brien, Terence J., Cameron, Peter, Cooper, D. James, Rushworth, Nick, Gabbe, Belinda and Fitzgerald, Melinda (2024). The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: systematic review of predictive value of biological markers for people with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma. doi: 10.1089/neu.2023.0464
2024
Journal Article
Attention Please! Unravelling the link between brain network connectivity and cognitive attention following acquired brain injury: a systematic review of structural and functional measures
Stein, Athena, Thorstensen, Jacob R., Ho, Jonathan M., Ashley, Daniel P., Iyer, Kartik K. and Barlow, Karen M. (2024). Attention Please! Unravelling the link between brain network connectivity and cognitive attention following acquired brain injury: a systematic review of structural and functional measures. Brain Connectivity, 14 (1), 4-38. doi: 10.1089/brain.2023.0067
2024
Journal Article
The Australian traumatic brain injury initiative: systematic review and consensus process to determine the predictive value of demographic, injury event, and social characteristics on outcomes for people with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury
Gabbe, Belinda J., Keeves, Jemma, Mckimmie, Ancelin, Gadowski, Adelle M., Holland, Andrew J., Semple, Bridgette D., Young, Jesse T., Crowe, Louise, Ownsworth, Tamara, Bagg, Matthew K., Antonic-Baker, Ana, Hicks, Amelia J., Hill, Regina, Curtis, Kate, Romero, Lorena, Ponsford, Jennie L., Lannin, Natasha A., O'brien, Terence J., Cameron, Peter A., Cooper, Jamie, Rushworth, Nick, Fitzgerald, Melinda, Alexander, Tara, Anderson, Vicki, Armstrong, Elizabeth, Babl, Franz E., Balogh, Zsolt J., Barlow, Karen M. (AUS-TBI Initiative Investigators member), Bellapart, Judith ... Honeybul, Stephen (2024). The Australian traumatic brain injury initiative: systematic review and consensus process to determine the predictive value of demographic, injury event, and social characteristics on outcomes for people with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma. doi: 10.1089/neu.2023.0461
2024
Journal Article
The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Systematic Review and Consensus Process to Determine the Predictive Value of Pre-existing Health Conditions for People with Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Antonic-Baker, Ana, Auvrez, Clarissa, Tao, Gerard, Bagg, Matthew K., Gadowski, Adelle, McKimmie, Ancelin, Hicks, Amelia J., Hill, Regina, Romero, Lorena, Ponsford, Jennie L., Lannin, Natasha A., Gabbe, Belinda J., Cameron, Peter A., Cooper, D. Jamie, Rushworth, Nick, Fitzgerald, Melinda, O'Brien, Terence J., Alexander, Tara, Anderson, Vicki, Armstrong, Elizabeth, Babl, Franz E., Balogh, Zsolt J., Barlow, Karen M., Bellapart, Judith, Bidargaddi, Niranjan, Bosio, Erika, Bragge, Peter, Bynevelt, Michael, Caeyenberghs, Karen ... Zeeman, Heidi (2024). The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative: Systematic Review and Consensus Process to Determine the Predictive Value of Pre-existing Health Conditions for People with Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of Neurotrauma. doi: 10.1089/neu.2023.0462
2023
Journal Article
Pediatric sport-related concussion: recommendations from the Amsterdam Consensus Statement 2023
Davis, Gavin A., Schneider, Kathryn J., Anderson, Vicki, Babl, Franz E., Barlow, Karen M., Blauwet, Cheri A., Bressan, Silvia, Broglio, Steven P., Emery, Carolyn A., Echemendia, Ruben J., Gagnon, Isabelle, Gioia, Gerard A., Giza, Christopher C., Leddy, John J., Master, Christina L., McCrea, Michael, McNamee, Michael J., Meehan, William P., Purcell, Laura, Putukian, Margot, Moser, Rosemarie Scolaro, Takagi, Michael, Yeates, Keith Owen, Zemek, Roger and Patricios, Jon S. (2023). Pediatric sport-related concussion: recommendations from the Amsterdam Consensus Statement 2023. Pediatrics, 153 (1) ARTN e2023063489. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-063489
2023
Journal Article
Using metabolomics to predict severe traumatic brain injury outcome (GOSE) at 3 and 12 months
Banoei, Mohammad M., Lee, Chel Hee, Hutchison, James, Panenka, William, Wellington, Cheryl, Wishart, David S., Winston, Brent W., Joffe, Ari, Barlow, Karen, Yeates, Keith, Esser, Michael, Winston, Brent, Wellington, Cheryl, Torres, Ivan, Walley, Keith, Silverberg, Noah, Carrion, Priscilla, Doan, Quynh, Stukas, Sophie, Vercauteren, Susan, Panenka, Will, Aquino, Angela, Lorelei, Audas, Clarke, David, Martin, Kelly, Davis, Adrienne, Colantonio, Angela, Wheeler, Anne, Guerguerian, Anne-Marie ... on behalf of the Canadian biobank, database for Traumatic Brain Injury (CanTBI) investigators, the Canadian Critical Care Translational Biology Group (CCCTBG), the Canadian Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Clinical Network (CTRC) (2023). Using metabolomics to predict severe traumatic brain injury outcome (GOSE) at 3 and 12 months. Critical Care, 27 (1) 295. doi: 10.1186/s13054-023-04573-9
2023
Journal Article
Evidence of ongoing cerebral microstructural reorganization in children with persisting symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury: a NODDI DTI analysis
Stein, Athena, To, Xuan Vinh, Nasrallah, Fatima and Barlow, Karen Maria (2023). Evidence of ongoing cerebral microstructural reorganization in children with persisting symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury: a NODDI DTI analysis. Journal of Neurotrauma, 41 (1-2), 41-58. doi: 10.1089/neu.2023.0196
2023
Conference Publication
Investigating the association between brain network connectivity and attention following acquired brain injury: a systematic review of structural and functional measures
Stein, Athena, Thornstensen, Jacob R., Ho, Jonathon M., Ashley, Daniel P., Iyer, Kartik K. and Barlow, Karen M. (2023). Investigating the association between brain network connectivity and attention following acquired brain injury: a systematic review of structural and functional measures. 2023 Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand, Hobart, TAS Australia, 10-13 September 2023. NEW YORK: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
2023
Journal Article
Health care impact of implementing a clinical pathway for acute care of pediatric concussion: a stepped wedge, cluster randomised trial
Yeates, Keith Owen, Barlow, Karen M., Wright, Bruce, Tang, Ken, Barrett, Olesya, Berdusco, Edward, Black, Amanda M., Clark, Brenda, Conradi, Alf, Godfrey, Heather, Kolstad, Ashley T., Ly, Anh, Mikrogianakis, Angelo, Purser, Ross, Schneider, Kathryn, Stang, Antonia S., Zemek, Roger, Zwicker, Jennifer D. and Johnson, David W. (2023). Health care impact of implementing a clinical pathway for acute care of pediatric concussion: a stepped wedge, cluster randomised trial. Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 25 (7), 627-636. doi: 10.1007/s43678-023-00530-1
2023
Journal Article
What tests and measures accurately diagnose persisting post-concussive symptoms in children, adolescents and adults following sport-related concussion? A systematic review
Yeates, Keith Owen, Räisänen, Anu M, Premji, Zahra, Debert, Chantel T, Frémont, Pierre, Hinds, Sidney, Smirl, Jonathan D, Barlow, Karen, Davis, Gavin A, Echemendia, Ruben J, Feddermann-Demont, Nina, Fuller, Colm, Gagnon, Isabelle, Giza, Christopher C, Iverson, Grant L, Makdissi, Michael and Schneider, Kathryn J (2023). What tests and measures accurately diagnose persisting post-concussive symptoms in children, adolescents and adults following sport-related concussion? A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57 (12), 780-788. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106657
2023
Journal Article
Structural brain network lateralization across childhood and adolescence
Craig, Brandon T., Geeraert, Bryce, Kinney‐Lang, Eli, Hilderley, Alicia J., Yeates, Keith O., Kirton, Adam, Noel, Melanie, MacMaster, Frank P., Bray, Signe, Barlow, Karen M., Brooks, Brian L., Lebel, Catherine and Carlson, Helen L. (2023). Structural brain network lateralization across childhood and adolescence. Human Brain Mapping, 44 (4), 1711-1724. doi: 10.1002/hbm.26169
2023
Conference Publication
Electric field predicts tDCS-related attention improvement in children with acquired brain injury: A sham-controlled clinical trial
Stein, Athena, Caulfield, Kevin A., Craven, Michael P., Groom, Madeleine J. and Barlow, Karen M. (2023). Electric field predicts tDCS-related attention improvement in children with acquired brain injury: A sham-controlled clinical trial. 2023 Australasian Brain Stimulation Society Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 25-26 November 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Home based remotely supervised tDCS in children with acquired brain injury: a feasibility study protocol
Stein, Athena and Barlow, Karen (2023). Home based remotely supervised tDCS in children with acquired brain injury: a feasibility study protocol. 5th International Brain Stimulation Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, 18-22 February 2023. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2023.01.540
2022
Journal Article
Traumatic brain injury: progress and challenges in prevention, clinical care, and research
Maas, Andrew I R, Menon, David K, Manley, Geoffrey T, Abrams, Mathew, Åkerlund, Cecilia, Andelic, Nada, Aries, Marcel, Bashford, Tom, Bell, Michael J, Bodien, Yelena G, Brett, Benjamin L, Büki, András, Chesnut, Randall M, Citerio, Giuseppe, Clark, David, Clasby, Betony, Cooper, D Jamie, Czeiter, Endre, Czosnyka, Marek, Dams-O'Connor, Kristen, De Keyser, Véronique, Diaz-Arrastia, Ramon, Ercole, Ari, Van Essen, Thomas A, Falvey, Eanna, Ferguson, Adam R, Figaji, Anthony, Fitzgerald, Melinda, Foreman, Brandon ... for the InTBIR Participants and Investigators (2022). Traumatic brain injury: progress and challenges in prevention, clinical care, and research. The Lancet Neurology, 21 (11), 1004-1060. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00309-X
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Karen Barlow is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Exploring neuromodulation therapies for post concussive symptoms in children
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Using mulitmodal neuroimaging to explore the neurobiology of post-concussion syndrome in children
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Clinical care pathways following concussion - using technology to guide the way
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Health service utilization after traumatic brain injury in children: what do they need and how can we help?
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Using non-invasive brain stimulation to improve outcomes after childhood brain injury
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Helping children to flourish by improving sleep after childhood traumatic brain injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lucy Burr
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating therapeutic interventions following concussion
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Fatima Nasrallah
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Using non-invasive brain stimulation to improve attention following childhood acquired brain injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Dux
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Karen Barlow directly for media enquiries about:
- acquired brain injury
- concussion
- headaches
- neuromodulation
- non-invasive brain stimulation
- traumatic brain injury
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