Concussion News and Research

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Research proves effectiveness of computerized neurocognitive testing for concussions

Computerized neurocognitive testing for concussions is widely used in amateur and professional sports, but little research over the past decade proves its effectiveness, a paper published this month in the journal Neuropsychology Review says.

23 Dec 2013

Repeated blows to head in contact sports may cause changes in brain's white matter

Repeated blows to the head during a season of contact sports may cause changes in the brain's white matter and affect cognitive abilities even if none of the impacts resulted in a concussion, according to a study published today in the journal Neurology.

13 Dec 2013

Blows to head may affect the brain's white matter and cognition even without concussion

New research suggests that even in the absence of a concussion, blows to the head during a single season of football or ice hockey may affect the brain's white matter and cognition, or memory and thinking abilities. The study is published in the December 11, 2013, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. White matter is brain tissue that plays an important role in the speed of nerve signals.

12 Dec 2013

Dietary amino acids improve sleep disturbances caused by brain injuries in animals

Scientists who fed a cocktail of key amino acids to mice improved sleep disturbances caused by brain injuries in the animals. These new findings suggest a potential dietary treatment for millions of people affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI)—a condition that is currently untreatable.

12 Dec 2013

Study looks at brain imaging data in veterans who suffered combat-related head injuries

In preliminary findings, Saint Louis University researchers report that veterans who suffered blast injuries have changes in brain tissue that are still apparent in images years after the blast. The data, presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, represents a small but intriguing look at brain imaging in those who suffered combat-related head injuries.

11 Dec 2013

Athletes playing at higher altitudes suffer fewer concussions

A new study shows that high school athletes playing at higher altitudes suffer fewer concussions than those closer to sea-level, a phenomenon attributed to physiological changes in the brain causing it to fit more tightly in the skull.

9 Dec 2013

NIH scientists film early concussion damage and describe brain's response to injury

There is more than meets the eye following even a mild traumatic brain injury. While the brain may appear to be intact, new findings reported in Nature suggest that the brain's protective coverings may feel the brunt of the impact.

9 Dec 2013

Return to play on the same day after sports concussions not recommended

Any athlete with concussion symptoms should not be allowed to return to play on the same day, according to the latest consensus statement on sports-related concussion. The updated guidelines are summarized in Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

6 Dec 2013

Sports concussions increase risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, says study

It's been widely reported that football and other contact sports increase the risk of a debilitating neurological condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

3 Dec 2013

Improved mood linked with improved brain rehabilitations outcomes

Mayo Clinic researchers found that improvement of mood over the course of post-acute brain rehabilitation is associated with increased participation in day-to-day activities, independent living, and ability to work after rehabilitation is complete.

26 Nov 2013

New biomarker predicts that concussion victims may have cognitive dysfunction following mTBI

A new blood biomarker correctly predicted which concussion victims went on to have white matter tract structural damage and persistent cognitive dysfunction following a mild traumatic brain injury.

20 Nov 2013

High school sports played at higher altitudes linked with reduction in concussion rates

According to a recent study done by doctors at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, high school athletes who play collision sports at higher altitudes are less likely to suffer from concussions than those who play at lower altitudes.

15 Nov 2013

Women’s recovery from concussions may depend on menstrual cycle

How well a woman recovers from a concussion may depend on that time of the month.

14 Nov 2013

New and more expensive helmets may not reduce concussion risk in adolescent athletes

While many football helmet and mouth guard manufacturers claim that their equipment will lessen impact forces and reduce concussion risk, neither a specific brand nor a higher cost were associated with fewer concussions in adolescent athletes, according to an abstract presented Monday, Oct. 28 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando.

29 Oct 2013

AAP offers new guidance on 'returning to learning' after concussion

A concussion should not only take a student athlete off the playing field - it may also require a break from the classroom, according to a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

28 Oct 2013

Depression remains two times more likely in children with brain injury or concussion

Adults with head injuries are known to be at high risk for depression, and yet little research had been done on the topic related to children. In the abstract, "Depression in Children Diagnosed with Brain Injury or Concussion," presented Oct. 25 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, researchers sought to identify the prevalence of depression in children with brain injuries, including concussions, in the U.S.

25 Oct 2013

Research shows age does not affect symptom recovery after sports-related concussion

Recent scientific findings have raised the fear that young athletes may fare worse after sustaining a sports-related concussion than older athletes.

15 Oct 2013

Crucial role of orthopedic surgeons in diagnosing mTBI among trauma care patients

In the United States, approximately 1.4 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Of those injuries, three out of four are minor TBI (mTBI)-a head injury that causes a temporary change in mental status including confusion, an altered level of consciousness, or perceptual or behavioral impairments.

11 Oct 2013

U.S. Army Grants QR Pharma, UCLA $3M To Test TBI Treatment

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9 Oct 2013

Mayo Clinic's Sports Medicine Center hosts Ice Hockey Summit II

Mayo Clinic's Sports Medicine Center will host Ice Hockey Summit II: Action on Concussion on Oct. 8-9, 2013. The summit will bring together top scientists, trainers, coaches, officials, retired professional players and manufacturers from across the United States, Canada and Europe to discuss concussion-related issues, including the science of concussion, impact on youth athletes and hockey community response. While the summit will focus on ice hockey, concussion-related topics will apply to all sports.

4 Oct 2013