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Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) produces permanent personality and cognitive changes. Grief, although traditionally conceptualized as a bereavement-related reaction, is also experienced by significant others in response to profound changes in their loved-one. Grief may be a key emotional process underlying neuroendocrine and inflammatory alterations among partners responding to changes in their loved-one following TBI. The purpose of this study was to determine whether grief is associated with alterations in cortisol awakening response (CAR) and levels of a proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha) in partners of veterans with TBI. A cross-sectional sample of 40 women (mean age=42years) caring for a significant other who suffered a moderate or severe TBI from 6months to 10years ago were enrolled. Subjects completed the Perceived Stress Scale and Hogan Grief Reaction Checklist and provided saliva …