Helping solve the hidden concussion epidemic

MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) holds promise as a transformative approach to neurorehabilitation for military service members with neurological injuries, according to a review published in NeuroRehabilitation.

A recent study investigated the relationship between electric biking (e-biking) and high-impact head injuries. Niklas H Koehne et al. found that, in the past decade, the incidence of head injuries due to e-bike accidents has significantly increased, as did the severity of the injuries. 

On January 13th, 2025, Concussion Alliance Co-founder and CEO Conor Gormally presented to the class of 2nd-year medical school students at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Vallejo, California.

A New York Times article highlights a confidential Navy project––code-named Project Odin’s Eye. Project Odin’s Eye, launched last year to study brain injuries in Navy SEALs exposed to repetitive blasts, aims to determine whether flying fighter jets poses significant risks to brain health.

A recent retrospective review conducted by McPherson et al. revealed that recovery took more than seven times as long for individuals with concussions due to work or vehicle accidents compared to those with concussions due to sports.

A recent study provides compelling evidence that the risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) increases cumulatively with each year of ice hockey play, similar to findings observed in American football and rugby league players.

A recent New York Times article has brought greater attention to the use of ibogaine, a psychedelic derived from the bark of iboga trees, as a growing treatment for US veterans suffering from symptoms of brain injury and PTSD.

A study highlights that the co-occurrence of concussion and depression is “associated with significantly worse symptoms for both conditions.” Despite overlapping symptoms, these conditions are often treated independently, overlooking their additive effects.

A study looked at the relationship between photobiomodulation (PBM) and neuromuscular control, specifically targeting patients with concussions or repetitive head acceleration events (RHAEs). After following an 8-week protocol study, participants exhibited significant improvements in reaction time, balance scores, and grip strength for both hands.

A recent study suggests that different meditation interventions (particularly those focused on mindfulness) benefit individuals at risk for high cortisol levels––especially for those with a somatic (physical) illness.

A study found a link between soccer players with “a higher level of heading” and brain abnormalities in regions where Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) pathology is most often found.

Learn about a free, high-quality mindfulness app created by UCLA Mindfulness Education Center ; our previous newsletter covered meditation, particularly mindfulness, for at-risk populations.

PedsConcussion, the Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion, has published a Supplement: Intimate Partner Violence-Related Head and Neck Trauma. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) for Women’s Support Workers has a free online training course on brain injury and intimate partner violence.

A study found evidence to suggest a link between concussion history and a 25% increased risk of severe mental health challenges in the 14 years after childbirth in comparison to those who have no history of concussion.

A new study by researchers involved in the UK Rugby Health Project found that retired rugby players who have a history of concussion have altered levels of specific proteins in their blood, indicating greater neural damage than their uninjured peers.

A study investigating health-related quality of life (HRQL) metrics and other psychological factors post-concussion in youth found that that psychological risk factors such as anxiety and depression negatively impact health-related quality of life in the initial 6-month phase of pediatric concussion.

A study investigated the link between concussion history, changes in limbic brain structure (the emotional processing system), and psychiatric symptoms, focusing on the kynurenine pathway (KP) as a potential mechanism. The KP is a metabolic pathway connected to inflammation, the immune system, and neurological conditions.

While brain injury prevention in sports has largely focused on concussions, a groundbreaking study revealed that the development and severity of CTE are associated with the duration of play and the cumulative force of all repetitive head impacts.

A analysis found that concussion knowledge often depends on personal experience, teachers were “not exposed to concussion education as part of their training,” and that structured concussion education and recognition protocols are needed immediately in Irish secondary schools

In a study researchers found that after a single collegiate football game, which involves repetitive head hits (RHHs), changes to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) correlated with head impact exposure and reduced brain white matter integrity in 30 football players two days later.

A study found that an athlete’s symptom report is more accurate for concussion diagnosis than the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC), a cognitive evaluation commonly used as part of the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT).

A study of rates and mechanisms of head contact and suspected concussions in youth basketball found a lack of fouls called for head contacts during the game, despite contact to the head being illegal in basketball.

A study found that females reported higher total postconcussive symptoms compared to males and that military personnel reported higher total symptoms than the civilian population.

A team of experts argues that the term “subconcussive” should be replaced by the term “non-concussive” when referring to head impacts.

A study found that neurodegeneration is “progressive and continues for many years after mild head trauma without signs of brain injury on conventional MRI.”

A study found that engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during post-concussion recovery can reduce anxiety levels in teens and have other beneficial effects.

Research published in the Journal of Headache and Pain reveals altered connectivity between certain brain regions in patients with posttraumatic headache (PTH) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

A recent study in The Journal of Pediatrics found that recreation-related concussions (RRC)––such as those from recess, gym class, and play––and non-sport or recreation-related concussions (non-SRRC)––from events like motor vehicle crashes, falls, and assault––are more common among patients 5 through 12 years old than sports-related concussions (SRC) from organized sports.

In a longitudinal study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers discovered that over 18 years, 13% of older Americans suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).