Blog
Brain white matter changes following repetitive head hits in a single sporting event
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.
Patient symptom report remains the most accurate method of sport concussion assessment
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).
Head contacts are infrequently penalized in youth basketball games
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.
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.
Replacing the term "subconcussive" to improve understanding of brain injuries
A team of experts argues that the term “subconcussive” should be replaced by the term “non-concussive” when referring to head impacts.
Study finds long-term neurodegeneration in all severities of TBI
A study found that neurodegeneration is “progressive and continues for many years after mild head trauma without signs of brain injury on conventional MRI.”
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.