Blog
Participate in an online study assessing neuropsychological symptoms that may be linked to your concussion history
Participate in an online study assessing neuropsychological symptoms that may be linked to your concussion history
College students have limited concussion knowledge, colleges should allocate resources to students’ sources
From a survey given to a random sample of 208 college students, the authors concluded that students of both sexes demonstrated a limited understanding of the symptoms, consequences, and appropriate management of concussions–though females scored slightly higher.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association updates clinical recommendations
In late March, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association released its updated recommendations for the management of sport-related concussions – a document that hadn’t been updated in over a decade.
Increased brain size and volume may underly reduction in dementia incidence
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology by DeCarli et al. found that brain volumes and brain size are becoming progressively larger––based on MRI brain imaging observations of participants born between 1930 and 1970.
Former MMA fighter Ronda Rousey: concussions under the spotlight
Ronda Rousey, a former MMA fighter, tells her story of her life-long experience with concussions and lasting health impacts in a recent interview with The Guardian.
Concussions associated with increased risk of children developing behavioral and affective disorders
A study published in JAMA Network Open challenges the existing idea that early childhood concussion may have relatively benign effects and highlights that postconcussive symptoms can be relatively long-lasting.
Study finds more pre-existing mental diagnoses associated with longer recovery time and higher emotional symptom burden
In a study published in Sports Health, Master et al. found that the existence of pre-injury mental health diagnoses correlated with longer concussion recovery time and increased emotional symptoms.
Branched chain amino acids may expedite concussion recovery
A six-year study in the Journal of Neurotrauma explored the impact of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) on concussion recovery in adolescents and young adults.
Cooling therapy reduces symptom burden in adolescent concussions
A study conducted by Matthew Smith et al. and published in The Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine found that, in adolescent athletes, cooling therapy was associated with a significant decrease in post-concussion symptoms.
Study finds potential therapeutic target to combat mitochondrial dysfunction after TBI
The journal Neurochemistry International recently published a review that details the role of mitochondria in traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Massive Open Online Course is effective at providing concussion education
As reported in a recent study, a massive open online course (MOOC) developed by Laval University (Quebec, Canada) offering education on concussion was found to have considerable success, suggesting courses like this could be an important tool for spreading concussion prevention and treatment information in the future.
The introduction of concussion spotters to the Women’s World Cup
In the 2023 Women’s World Cup, there was a new introduction to the state of play for the tournament: concussion spotters. Spotters are certified athletic trainers not tied to any specific team.
Systematic review: no significant relationship between greater neck strength and lower risk of sports-related concussion––more research needed
A study found that there was a small, not statistically relevant relationship between greater neck strength and a lower risk of sustaining a sports-related concussion in athletes.
Chronic cannabis use may protect young adult athletes from the effects of subconcussive head impacts
A study found that athletes who used cannabis regularly had better eye focus ability and lower levels of brain inflammation compared to the non-cannabis group after repetitive subconcussive head impacts.
Retired pro soccer players: heading frequency and player position associated with risk of cognitive impairment and dementia
A study published in JAMA Network Neurology found that “repetitive heading during a professional soccer career is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment later in life” and self-reported dementias in retired male professional soccer players
Post-concussion academic supports in higher education: new efforts to address continuing gaps
A recent report by Memmini and colleagues identifies key principles of return-to-learn for college athletes to explore how non-athletes fare in the college classroom after a concussion.
Concussion Alliance & Co-Founders Featured In Slate Magazine
Concussion Alliance Co-Founders Conor Gormally and Malayka Gormally are featured in a powerful and excellently written story written by Isobel Whitcomb for Slate Magazine (Slate Magazine USA).
The risk of CTE increases by 14% per year of rugby play, even in amateurs
In October 2023, Willie Stewart et al. published a paper in Acta Neuropathologica demonstrating an association between the development of CTE and the length of a person’s rugby career.
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.
Mediterranean diet and subsequently improved gut microbiome tied to lower PTSD symptom burden in women
Findings from a recent study in Nature Mental Health exploring the gut-brain-microbiota axis revealed that those who adhered to a Mediterranean diet experienced reduced PTSD symptoms,