Blog
Females, military personnel, and especially female military personnel report higher total postconcussive symptoms
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.
Understanding sex differences in concussion: female vulnerability in concussions
A study published in Acta Neuropathologica found that female swine brains are at a "higher risk of concussion and suffer worse outcomes" than male swine brains.
MRI imaging and behavioral testing reveal emotional problems in female children post-concussion may be related to injury-caused delay in maturation of white matter
A study published in Biological Psychiatry
found that concussions may alter the trajectory of white matter maturation in female children and that this alteration may play a role in the onset of new depression and anxiety after concussion.
Brain injury from intimate partner violence–a medical provider resource
There is a significant gap in knowledge and guidance on handling IPV-related injuries among medical providers. To address this gap, Canadian organizations have collaborated to develop a resource to aid healthcare professionals in understanding and managing these injuries effectively.
Connections between intimate partner violence, traumatic brain injury, and neurological disease–but not CTE
A recent study of the brains of 84 deceased women who experienced intimate partner violence found that the brains consistently showed signs of traumatic brain injury but that none met the criteria for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Hormonal contraception use does not appear to affect concussion baseline assessments
According to a study done by Moran et al., hormonal contraceptives do not appear to influence neurocognition and oculomotor baseline assessment measures for sport-related concussion (SRC).
Female high school athletes who are more specialized are five times more likely to have a history of concussion
A study found that female high school athletes who were highly specialized in their athletic pursuits were five times more likely to have a history of concussion compared to female high school athletes who were less specialized in their athletic pursuits.
‘Medical Gaslighting’ of women and people of color, including for mTBI
A New York Times article discusses "Medical Gaslighting”, a term used to describe situations where patients are frustrated after “dismissive experiences with medical professionals.” The author notes a 2020 study finding that women receive less medical care following traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Post-concussion changes in menstrual cycle reported among adolescent patients
Researchers found changes in menstrual patterns 3-4 months post-injury in 1 out of 8 adolescent patients. The authors also found higher symptom severity for those who sustained a concussion after ovulation and before menstruation.
Continuing debate about helmets in girls’ lacrosse
The use of helmets in women’s lacrosse continues to be a topic of significant debate, as helmets are not mandatory in women’s lacrosse but are required in men’s lacrosse. A 2015 study found that women’s lacrosse had the second-highest rate of concussions among a variety of high school and college sports.