Disclosed is a method of treating concussion or other brain trauma in humans or other mammals by administering an effective dose of a gallium compound or gallium complex to the injured human or other mammal. The gallium compound may comprise, e.g., gallium nitrate, a docosahexaenonic acid salt of gallium with one to three of the gallium ligands being from docosahexaenonic acid, or other gallium compound or complex or combinations thereof. The gallium compound or complex may be administered orally, by spray, intravenously, subcutaneously, transdermally, intramuscularly, mucoadhesively or through oral or nasal inhalation. A transdermal patch containing the gallium compound may be applied after onset of the concussion or other brain trauma to permit rapid delivery of the compound through the skin. The gallium compound is preferably administered in an amount sufficient to maintain steady state blood concentrations. A preferred dosing is about 0.5 to about 20.0 mg/kg/day of body weight.
