It is well known that microglial activation plays an important role in the neuroinflammatory response after TBI.53,95 As part of the innate immune response to acute and progressive brain injury, microglia are activated by damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and release pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1β.96 The inflammasome is a component of the innate immune system and implicated in the inflammatory response after TBI and other neurological conditions.10,97–99. This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and brain injury.