Blog
E-bike head injury frequency, severity, and hospitalization levels increased over the past decade
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.
Concussion Alliance CEO spoke to 2nd-year Medical School Students in California
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.
Concussions due to occupational or vehicular accidents lead to longer, more extensive recovery compared to sports concussions
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.
Study reveals cumulative CTE risk in ice hockey players: years of play linked to increased odds
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.
Psychedelic ibogaine creates significant improvements in veterans’ chronic brain injury symptoms
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.
Co-occurrence of depression and concussion worsens symptoms in collegiate athletes
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.
Photobiomodulation improves neuromuscular deficits related to concussions and repetitive head impacts
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.
Meditation techniques associated with lower cortisol levels for at-risk populations
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.
Adverse effects of soccer heading found in the same location as CTE pathology
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.
Download a free, high-quality mindfulness app
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.
New tools from CATT and PedsConcussion for screening, diagnosis, and management of brain injury due to intimate partner violence
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.
Concussion significantly increases the risk of severe mental health illness post-childbirth
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.
Retired rugby players with concussion history have biomarkers that indicate risk of neurodegenerative diseases
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.
Sleep problems, depression, are risk factors for lower quality-of-life scores after concussion
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.
Psychiatric symptoms caused by multiple concussions may be due to the kynurenine pathway and structural changes in the brain in collegiate-aged athletes
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.
Call for veteran study participants
Call for study participants: military veterans who have had concussions and/or a traumatic brain injury, an injury to your head or neck that caused you to lose consciousness or feel dazed/confused/experience a gap in memory. Eligibility: it’s been a least one year since your military service, and you are willing to participate in a 4-5 hour study visit in EITHER New York City OR Seattle, Washington.
Lifetime exposure to cumulative force of repeated head impacts is strongly associated with CTE
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.
Analysis of interviews with secondary school educators reveals the need for better concussion education and protocols
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