Citation

Moore RD, Broglio SP, Hillman CH. J. Athl. Train. 2014; 49(1): 36-41.

Affiliation

Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, National Athletic Trainers' Association (USA))

DOI

10.4085/1062-6050-49.1.02

PMID

24377961

Abstract

Context :  The long-term implications of concussive injuries for brain and cognitive health represent a growing concern in the public consciousness. As such, identifying measures sensitive to the subtle yet persistent effects of concussive injuries is warranted.

Objective :  To investigate how concussion sustained early in life influences visual processing in young adults. We predicted that young adults with a history of concussion would show decreased sensory processing, as noted by a reduction in P1 event-related potential component amplitude.

Design :  Cross-sectional study.

Setting :  Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants :  Thirty-six adults (18 with a history of concussion, 18 controls) between the ages of 20 and 28 years completed a pattern-reversal visual evoked potential task while event-related potentials were recorded.

Main Outcome Measure(s) :  The groups did not differ in any demographic variables (all P values > .05), yet those with a concussive history exhibited reduced P1 amplitude compared with the control participants (P = .05).

Conclusions :  These results suggest that concussion history has a negative effect on visual processing in young adults. Further, upper-level neurocognitive deficits associated with concussion may, in part, result from less efficient downstream sensory capture.

Language: en