Intern Newsletter–New diagnostics and imaging lead to greater understanding of concussions (12/15/23 Newsletter)

This week there are four lead articles:

  • Heading in soccer has detrimental effects on microscopic brain tissue structure integrity is in the Sports section

  • Study Highlights the Importance of Delaying Return to Activities in Symptomatic Concussion Patients is in the Pathophysiology section

  • Study finds marker of functional brain activity and vasculature more accurate than ImPACT testing is in the Therapies & Diagnostic Tools Under Research section

  • Blood biomarkers detect reduced brain structure volume associated with repetitive head impacts in professional boxers and MMA fighters is in the CTE & Neurodegeneration Issues section

In this newsletter: Opportunities, Education, Sports, Cannabis & Psychedelics, Pathophysiology, Therapies Currently Available, Therapies & Diagnostic Tools Under Research, Veterans and Service Members, Mental Health, Women’s Health, and CTE & Neurodegeneration Issues.

Welcome to our intern newsletter, written by 10 of our December 2023 Concussion Education & Advocacy Interns!

We appreciate the Concussion Alliance interns and staff members who created this edition:
Writers: Esmeralda Garcia-Ramirez, Aaron Lobsenz, Sylvia Dixon, Lillian Lee, Camila Smith-Donald, Zoe Heart, Ella Gullickson, Sam Gossard, Lily Vargo, Audrey Schwartz

Editors: Conor Gormally and Malayka Gormally

Do you find the Concussion Update helpful? If so, forward this to a friend and suggest they subscribe.


Opportunities

Friday, January 12, 8 am PST: A free webinar, A Conversation with Dr. Stan Herring: 30 Years of Concussion Care, hosted by The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training. Register in advance.

Participants needed for a study using an app to combat depression after concussion. The app provides online activities based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles. Eligibility: individuals 18-70 years old with a history of concussion. The study is open to civilians and members of the military community. See our blog post for more information.

Register with the TROOPS referral program to be connected with multiple research teams, several of which are recruiting for studies of treatments for concussion (mTBI). Civilians are welcome to join, and there is no upper age limit. See our blog post for more information. To enroll or learn more, visit troops.mtbi2.nih.gov.


Education

Executive Dysfunction Unveiled: 7 Key Effects to Watch Out For After a Brain Injury


Sports

Heading in soccer has detrimental effects on microscopic brain tissue structure integrity 


Cannabis & Psychedelics

Medical Marijuana Might Have Benefits for PTSD Patients


Pathophysiology

Study Highlights the Importance of Delaying Return to Activities in Symptomatic Concussion Patients


Therapies Currently Available

Excellent overview of vision therapy for concussion


Therapies & Diagnostic Tools Under Research

Study finds marker of functional brain activity and vasculature more accurate than ImPACT testing 


Veterans & Service Members

Brain injury associated with US Military training weapons


Mental Health

Study finds that concussion increases odds of poor mental health and suicidal behaviors in adolescents


Women’s Health

Connections between intimate partner violence, traumatic brain injury, and neurological disease–but not CTE


CTE & Neurodegeneration Issues

Blood biomarkers detect reduced brain structure volume associated with repetitive head impacts in professional boxers and MMA fighters

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NPR interview with Sex with a Brain Injury author and concussion patient Annie Liontas (1/11/24 Newsletter)

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Special Veterans Day edition: Join concussion diagnosis and treatment studies (11/10/23 Newsletter)