$50m funding boost for brain trauma

Over the next 10 years, the Federal Government will fund $50 million research on traumatic brain injury - affecting 20,000 Australians each year.

Brain trauma receives funding. Source: AAP

There is a "desperate need" to find better outcomes for more than 20,000 Australians who suffer traumatic brain injury.

The Federal Government, on Sunday, announced a $50 million boost to research to improve the recovery of patients as well as develop new technologies.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said there was a "desperate need" to better chart the patient journey once they had experienced traumatic brain injury.

"This funding will give those injured and their families hope for the future," he said.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says each traumatic brain injury in Australia cost millions of dollars. Source: AAP

"By addressing the unmet needs in traumatic brain injury research, we will be able to improve the lives of thousands of Australian children and adults."

The nationally co-ordinated approach will bring together health professionals including paramedics, neurologists and advocacy representatives to translate research into new treatments.

An MRI brain scan machine Source: AAP

Some patients recover quickly and completely, and others do not

Mr Hunt said the lifetime cost of each traumatic brain injury in Australia was estimated at $2.5 million for moderate and $4.8 million for severe injuries.