I just came across this article. A quick summary:
Dr. Laskowitz (neurologist) studied genetic factors that could make a difference in the outcome of a brain injury. In the 90s his research showed that animals with a certain genetic factor (apoE) recovered better following a brain injury, than animals without apoE. From this, developed a model for medication to one-day treat brain injuries.
This year a research study (on humans) will look at whether a peptide (which acts like apoE) improves outcomes in patients with brain hemorrhages. The plan is to give the peptide every 6 hours for 3 days, the time period when most of the brain swelling happens after injury.
This is extremely hopeful research in the treatment of brain injury.