Boost for brain, spinal injury research

The Victorian government has announced $19 million in funding to support research into brain and spinal cord injury.

The grants have been divided between four programs led by Melbourne neurotrauma experts - three from the University of Melbourne and one from Austin Health.

Minister for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Tim Holding said the four academics would lead research teams from 30 different university departments and hospitals across Victoria, interstate and in Britain and Canada.

"This funding boost will help improve health outcomes for people with brain and spinal cord injuries," Mr Holding said.

"These injuries are debilitating and require life-long care and are often the unfortunate result of motor vehicle accidents."

There are 290 new cases of severe spinal injury in Australia each year, with 43 per cent caused by car accidents.

Traumatic brain injury accounts for 30,000 new hospital admissions Australia wide each year, with more than half (66 per cent) attributed to car accidents.

The grants have been awarded to:

* Professor John Furness, University of Melbourne, $4.9 million.

* Associate Professor Russell Gruen, University of Melbourne, $4.4 million.

* Professor Mary Galea, University of Melbourne, $4.7 million.

* Professor Robert Pierce, Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, $4.9 million.