The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating a human subject in need of treatment for traumatic brain injury or neurological damage resulting from exposure to one or more low-energy impacts, comprising administering to the human subject an effective dose of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, thereby treating the human subject in need of treatment for traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury resulting from exposure to one or more chronic or low-energy impacts.
