Blog
Moderate to vigorous exercise during post-concussion recovery reduces anxiety levels in teens
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.
Altered brain connectivity in posttraumatic headache: insights into potential biomarkers and neuroplasticity
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).
Children sustaining concussions outside of sports see specialists later and have less access to appropriate care, despite being more common than sport-related concussions
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.
Study finds 1 in 8 older Americans suffered a TBI in a representative cohort
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).
High cumulative blast exposure in military personnel is associated with worsening brain function and lower quality of life
In a multimodal study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Natalie Gilmore et al. found that higher cumulative blast exposure was associated with decreased brain function and lower quality of life. According to a New York Times article, the damage seen in these brains was not CTE but a new pathology.
Nutrients common in the Mediterranean diet may promote healthy brain aging; novel study of nutrients in blood plasma, cognitive tests, and brain imaging
Researchers identified 13 key nutrients that were found in higher concentrations for those in the delayed brain aging group than those in the accelerated brain aging group. The 13 nutrients, including fatty acids, antioxidants, carotenoids, and vitamins, are commonly found in the Mediterranean diet in foods such as fish, nuts, oils, and leafy greens.
Concussion Alliance on PBS Oklahoma affiliate OETA
Concussion Alliance CEO and Co-Founder Conor Gormally spoke on a panel about concussions in student-athletes for InDepth on the Oklahoma News Report, on the state PBS affiliate OETA.
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.
Prior head injury is associated with a 34% increased risk of stroke in older adults
A press release from Penn Medicine News highlighted that individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) were at higher risk of developing an ischemic stroke later in life.
Blast mTBI is associated with impaired function of the glymphatic system. Sleep quality is also a factor–Interventions to improve sleep may help
Veterans exposed to blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury (blast mTBI) may experience impaired function of the glymphatic system, according to a recent study published in Brain.
Study finds low-level light therapy results in increased brain connectivity within the first 2-3 weeks of moderate traumatic brain injury
A study published in Radiology discovered that low-level light therapy (LLLT) administered within 72 hours of a moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) showed increased resting-state functional connectivity in the brains of participants during the early recovery stages.
Research provides insight into treating persisting post-concussion symptoms (PPSC), Long-Covid, and chronic fatigue syndrome
A BBC article explains how patients with persisting post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) and Long Covid exhibit similar symptoms, including fatigue, exercise intolerance, sleep disturbances, memory and concentration problems, light and sound sensitivity, and visual dysfunction, such as impairments in eye tracking.
Significant improvements in 4 former football players with possible CTE: transcranial photobiomodulation case studies
In a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, researchers write that “this is the first report of a potential treatment modality to mitigate symptoms of Possible CTE.” The study is a case-series report of four former football players (3 professionals) who met the NIH criteria for Possible CTE and were treated with transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a specific kind of light therapy.
A SCAT assessment modified for para-athletes could work for concussion assessment in some types of disabilities
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine examined whether the sports concussion assessment tool, version 5 (SCAT5), could be utilized for para-athletes with a visual impairment, a spinal cord injury, or a limb deficiency.
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.