Articles tagged with Head Concussions
UVA researchers James Stone and Matthew Panzer contributed to the NATO guidelines, which provide practical recommendations to protect service members from blast-related brain injuries. The guidelines aim to reduce soldiers' risk of suffering blast-related brain injuries by balancing immediate protection with a roadmap for future research.
A standardized on-pitch concussion assessment protocol has been developed and recommended internationally for safe player return to play in football. The protocol is informed by research evidence and expert opinion, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment of concussions.
A University of Otago study analyzing 15,000 head acceleration events from community rugby players found significant sex and size biases in injury risk predictions using a one-size-fits-all approach.
A new clinical trial is investigating the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy for persistent post-concussion symptoms. Researchers expect the drug to reduce neuroinflammation and enhance neural connections, with benefits lasting at least six months post-treatment.
Researchers at UC Riverside link immune signaling to disrupted brain function and cognition after concussion, finding a crucial link between TLR4 and MMP-9. Blocking these pathways may limit changes in brain circuits and improve long-term neurological outcomes.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that 75% of individuals meeting TES criteria did not have CTE pathology at autopsy, highlighting the risk of misdiagnosis and potential mental health impacts. The proposed criteria may miss some people with CTE while incorrectly identifying others who do not have the disease.
Researchers tracked six NCAA Division I football players over a season and found that non-concussive head impacts correlated with changes to the gut microbiome. The study suggests that even sub-symptomatic head impacts might affect the gut microbiome, both in the immediate aftermath of injury and over a longer time course.
A new study found that nearly 1,200 TBI respondents used psychedelics to treat or manage physical health conditions, with 208 participants using them to manage brain injury-related symptoms. Researchers reported a 90% self-reported symptom improvement rate.
A recent JAMA paper identifies key symptoms and signs that strongly indicate a child has sustained a concussion. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, mental fog, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, and difficulty remembering.
Researchers found that veterans with prior concussions showed slower and less accurate eye movements, along with reduced performance on attention-based tasks. These subtle brain changes can be measured more than a decade after the original injury.
A new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital finds that similar to older children and adults, about one fourth of children under six years old who experience a concussion will develop prolonged symptoms. Younger children are more likely to sustain brain injuries due to their size differences and weaker muscles.
A preliminary study suggests that red light therapy can protect against brain inflammation caused by repetitive head impacts in collegiate football players. The treatment, which involves shining near-infrared light at the brain through the skull, appeared to be effective in reducing inflammation throughout almost all regions of the brain.
A new study from the Medical University of South Carolina suggests that the complement system, a part of the body's innate immune system, plays a major role in brain damage after repeated concussions. The research found that reducing complement activation can help protect the brain and reduce cognitive impairments.
A new UK-based study found that adults who experience a head injury face a substantially higher risk of attempting suicide compared to those without such injuries. The 20-year population-based matched cohort study analyzed data from over 1.8 million adults and found that people with head injuries were 21% more likely to attempt suicide.
Researchers at UVA Health System discover how traumatic brain injury increases Alzheimer's risk and find a potential prevention strategy using a hollowed-out virus to deliver repair supplies. The approach could help limit neurodegeneration and potentially prevent other neurological diseases.
A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience reveals that a visual training program called Perceptual Attention Therapy (PATH) produces rapid improvements in reading, attention, memory, and executive function after concussion. PATH addresses underlying visual timing deficits before strengthening specific cognitive skills.
Researchers at Pitt and UPMC Children's Hospital discovered a biomarker of complicated pediatric traumatic brain injury, which may serve as dynamic indicators of post-injury recovery. The study found that children with TBI had a different epigenetic profile compared to those with orthopaedic injuries.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study of over 1,500 former NFL players found that years played and playing position are not linked to poorer long-term physical or mental health. Instead, concussion history is a more accurate predictor of long-term health challenges.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System are exploring the role of the neurovascular unit in maintaining healthy brain function and how damage can cause chronic health conditions. The studies aim to identify new biomarkers for blast-related brain injury and develop strategies for prevention and treatment.
Researchers at Mount Sinai found chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) rare among individuals with isolated brain injuries. The study, published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology, analyzed postmortem brain tissue from 47 donors and revealed that CTE is more common in those with extensive repetitive head impacts.
Researchers have made significant strides in understanding post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), but a therapy to prevent its development remains elusive. Studies identify key barriers, including collaboration, funding, and standardization, and propose eight recommendations to advance PTE research. Potential therapies include disease modifica...
A new study in mice found that concussions sustained early in life can lead to subtle brain changes that re-emerge later in life. The research highlights the importance of long-term monitoring and care following head injuries in children, as even mild symptoms may not be immediately apparent.
A NIH-funded study reveals that repeated head impacts from contact sports can cause early neuron loss and inflammation in the brains of young- to middle-aged athletes. The findings suggest that these changes may occur years before CTE develops its hallmark disease features.
A new review from the University of Victoria suggests that psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT may help treat concussions and traumatic brain injuries by increasing neuroplasticity and reducing inflammation. The compounds have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and other conditions in clinical research.
Researchers at UVA Health System are testing a cutting-edge MRI scanner to identify brain scarring caused by blast exposures in soldiers. If successful, the technology could lead to a new imaging test to diagnose brain changes caused by repeated blasts.
Dr. Mary Jo Pugh has made significant contributions to understanding the full range of TBI's effects, including dementia, substance use disorder, and cardiovascular disease. Her research uses big data integration to analyze patterns hidden in health data and inform preemptive interventions for veterans with TBI.
Researchers found that taking blood thinners like warfarin does not significantly increase the risk of brain bleeding after blunt head trauma, contradicting previous assumptions. In fact, patients with poorly controlled warfarin activity had the highest bleeding risk.
A recent Northwestern University study analyzed brain tissue from 174 donated brains, including some from former amateur football players. The researchers found no elevated levels of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein in the CA2 region of the hippocampus, which is often associated with CTE and normal aging.
A new study suggests current return-to-play protocols for community sport athletes may not be enough to ensure player safety following a concussion. Researchers recommend symptom-based assessments and personalized rehabilitation plans to support recovery and reduce the risk of reinjury.
Research found that athletes with a BMI equal to or above 30 have increased inflammatory biomarkers, more severe concussion symptoms, and worse cognition following a concussion. The study suggests that body composition should be considered when determining the best recovery protocol after a concussion.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine aim to reduce falls and adverse drug events among older adults by using personalized approach tailored to individual genetic profiles.
A team of researchers has received a $3.2 million grant to upgrade the Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV) tool, which assigns a numerical score to service members' blast exposure history to assess potential health outcomes.
A new study from York University finds that age and previous sports experience are more significant factors in cognitive-motor integration than a history of multiple concussions. Researchers tested participants with a history of concussion on complex eye-hand coordination tasks, revealing neuroprotective benefits from sports experience.
The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has released an updated set of equestrian ratings that considers impact scenarios with horizontal velocity, typically occurring in racing and cross-country events. The new ratings aim to inform consumer decisions about helmet purchasing by reflecting concussion risk associated with each model.
Researchers found that limiting daytime sleep and getting approximately seven hours of sleep each night in the first week after a concussion may speed up recovery. Youth who sleep more or less than ideal amounts during this period may experience slower symptom resolution.
Researchers investigate how repetitive blows to the head impact brain health, potentially leading to neurodegenerative diseases. The study aims to detect and mitigate acute effects of exposure to repetitive head hits using objective measures.
A study by Tufts University researchers found that head trauma can activate dormant viruses in the brain, triggering neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The discovery suggests antiviral drugs could be used as early preventive treatments after head injuries.
A study found that soccer heading causes structural brain abnormalities similar to those seen in CTE, affecting the frontal lobe and verbal learning. The research suggests repeated head impacts may harm brain health even without serious injury.
Scientists have identified a key driver of brain inflammation in neurological diseases, proposing a new treatment approach by neutralizing fibrin. This protein, involved in blood coagulation, triggers neurologic diseases by hijacking the immune system, resulting in damaged neurons.
A new study by Penn State researchers reveals that individuals with co-occurring depression and concussion experience more severe symptoms than those with single conditions. The study also found disrupted brain connectivity among participants with both conditions, suggesting a potential need for personalized treatment approaches.
Researchers at the University of Calgary found that girls and non-binary youth who experience teen dating violence are at an elevated risk for concussion. The study, published in Journal of Adolescent Health, analyzed data from Canadian Grade 9 and 10 students and found that one in three experienced physical, psychological, and/or cybe...
A new study from the University of British Columbia reveals that soccer headers can briefly slow brain activity, producing waves associated with sleep and drowsiness. The research found increased delta brain waves within moments of impact, potentially disrupting information processing and leading to reduced focus.
The study found significant geographic variations in concussion diagnoses in US emergency departments, with a higher frequency of diagnoses in the South due to high population density. The researchers highlight the need for tailored public health strategies to address these variations effectively.
A cross-sectional study of 170 former football players found a strong association between repeated head impacts and increased perivascular space volume, as well as worse cognitive test performance. The findings suggest that PVS volume may contribute to the link between RHI exposure and neurodegeneration.
A new $3.5 million NIH grant will investigate the complex interplay between traumatic brain injury and genetic risk factors in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The three-year study will use rodents to assess disease progression across different age periods, providing insights into potential early intervention strategies.
Viji Santhakumar, a UCR professor, has been awarded a $3.5 million NIH grant to study brain circuit function and its impact on memory formation and cognitive deficits in diseases like epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.
A cross-sectional study of CTE patients found that years of contact sports participation are linked to substantia nigra pathology, leading to parkinsonism. The study suggests that repetitive head impacts may trigger neuropathologic processes in individuals with CTE.
The West Virginia University athletic training researcher developed a new national position statement on emergency action plan development and implementation in sports. The recommendations aim to reduce catastrophic injuries by designating an emergency action plan coordinator who collaborates with other athletic staff.
The themed issue highlights advances in nosology, covert consciousness assessment, neuromedical morbidity, neurorehabilitation evaluation, and medicolegal challenges. Patients with severe brain injuries may have better prognoses than previously believed, but require careful assessment due to high misdiagnosis rates.
Moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity after concussion decreases symptoms when reaching a specific volume but provides no additional benefits beyond that point. This finding is significant for recommending post-concussion exercise routines.
Researchers found that former football players with medical and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are at higher risk of receiving an unverified CTE diagnosis. The study highlights the need for accurate diagnoses and access to proven treatments.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a 'mini-brain' that tracks the effects of concussive force on brain cells, revealing a link between head trauma and Alzheimer's disease. The study found that even hours after a hit, acrolein production leads to misfolded amyloid beta protein aggregation.
A new review recommends raising the age of body contact in hockey leagues from 13 to 15 to reduce concussion rates. Studies show injury rates are four times higher for kids and teens with body checking, while eliminating it reduces concussion rates by over 50%.
A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that daily low-dose aspirin increases the risk of intracranial bleeding in healthy older adults, but does not reduce ischemic stroke risk. The study's findings have particular relevance to individuals prone to developing intracranial bleeding after head trauma.
A new study examining brain tissue from 631 former football players found that the cumulative force of hits, not just the number of concussions, was the strongest predictor of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study suggests that reducing the force and frequency of head impacts could help prevent CTE in athletes.
A new study found that football players' cumulative repetitive head impact exposure was associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) status and severity. The study suggests that reducing both the number of head impacts and their force could lower CTE risk.
A group of international experts developed a consensus statement on concussion management, including new tools and strategies for identification, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The statement includes evidence-based recommendations for return to active sport, education, and light intensity exercise to aid recovery.
A new standard for diagnosing concussions has been established by an international group of experts, taking into account blood tests and cognitive assessments. The new criteria aim to reduce inconsistencies in diagnosis and improve patient care, as well as facilitate apples-to-apples comparisons between studies.
A former professional football player's life-altering cognitive decline was reversed after a comprehensive assessment revealed signs of hydrocephalus, which could be treated. The case study highlights the importance of considering alternative explanations for cognitive decline in athletes.
Researchers developed a lightweight, ultra-shock-absorbing foam that outperforms existing materials in mitigating concussions. The new material exhibits superior mechanical properties and can remain robustly shock-absorbing across various temperatures.