The English Premier League will trial in-game saliva tests for concussion diagnosis (12/16/21 newsletter)

In this newsletter: Opportunities, Education, Sports, Cannabis & Psychedelics, Diagnostics, Therapies Currently Available, Veterans & Service Members, Mental Health, Youth, and Women’s Health.

The lead article, The English Premier League is the first major soccer league to trial in-game saliva tests for concussion diagnosis, is in the Sports category.


We appreciate the December 2021 Interns who created this edition:


Writers: Aaron Banse, Claire Holmes, Hannah Moran, Henry Petrini, Ian Scott, Leah Snidman, and Samihat Rahman.

Editors: Conor GormallyMalayka Gormally, and Sam Kanny.


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Opportunities

December 16, 3:30 pm PST: free online class, Music and the Brain, facilitated by Kaylee Allen, Board-Certified Music Therapist, produced by BIAWA. Register in advance.

January 7, 11 am PST: free online class, Tango Stride, a dance-based walking class for people with mobility challenges, produced by BIAWA. Register in advance.

January 12, 11 am PST: free online class, Modified Gentle Yoga for Brain Injury, produced by BIAWA. Register in advance.

New podcast, the BrainSPORT podcastproduced by the UCLA Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, available on YouTube. 

Currently enrolling for January 16, 2022 start-dateConcussion Corner Academy, a 12-week course providing CEUs for physical therapists and athletic trainers, Concussion Alliance highly recommends this course for healthcare professionals. 


Education

NIH funds research on biomarkers that could predict persistent symptoms 

See our blog post to read this synopsis.


Sports

The English Premier League is the first major soccer league to trial in-game saliva tests for concussion diagnosis

See our blog post to read this synopsis.


Cannabis & Psychedelics

VA secretary is “trying to explore what more we can do” for veterans using cannabis 

See our blog post to read this synopsis.


Diagnostics

Having multiple (3-5+) concussions may disrupt the brain’s default mode network

See our blog post to read this synopsis.


Therapies Currently Available

FDA grants breakthrough device designation to hypothermic therapy for concussion

See our blog post to read this synopsis.


Veterans & Service Members

Clinical Trial for veterans and active-duty military members with Insomnia 

A current study is enrolling service members and veterans to test the efficacy of an online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy app for insomnia (SHUTi), customized specifically for military members. The study is totally online and remote; contact the study team by emailing cnrm-ecbti@usuhs.edu or call or text (301)456-5474 to learn more.

Sleep study for veterans with sleep issues and concussion history

The Sleepless Warriors At-Home study is recruiting veterans age 21+ who have served in the military for at least 180 days, have trouble sleeping, and have a concussion history. 

“Participants are randomly assigned to one of two therapies that are specifically focused on sleep. Both are short-term, structured treatments that teach different skills and techniques aimed at improving insomnia symptoms. The specific skills you learn will depend on which therapy you are assigned.”

“In both treatments, you’ll meet online with a therapist once a week for approximately 1 hour to discuss your difficulties with sleep. The techniques they teach you will be tailored to your personal circumstances.” 

The study involves nine teletherapy appointments and one follow-up appointment after six months. The study also offers compensation for each visit, up to a total of $325. Follow this link to the study page if you’re interested in participating; the study page has a link to a survey to determine if you are eligible to participate. You can also call (650) 446-3373 for more information. 


Mental Health

Study investigates family physicians’ experiences managing mental health complications following concussion 

See our blog post to read this synopsis.


Youth

Preliminary study suggests certain activities lead to more head impacts in youth soccer seasons

See our blog post to read this synopsis.


Women’s Health

Increase in intimate partner violence during pandemic is leading to more brain injuries

See our blog post to read this synopsis.


Executive Editor

Concussion Alliance Co-founder, Co-executive Director, and Internship Program Director Conor Gormally

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Hope on the horizon: MRI may help diagnose CTE in living patients (1/6/22 newsletter)

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Evidence Suggests that Female Veterans with Brain Trauma Require Different Recovery Methods (12/9/21 Newsletter)