Citation

Chen Y, Herrold AA, Gallagher VT, Reilly JL, Parrish T, Breiter HC. J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-21.

Affiliation

Concussion Neuroimaging Consortium; Warren Wright Adolescent Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Orthopaedic Section and Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2519/jospt.2019.8884

PMID

31154951

Abstract

SYNOPSIS: Mild traumatic brain injury or concussion is a common sports injury. Concussion involves physical injury to brain tissue, and vascular and axonal damage that manifest as transient and often nonspecific clinical symptoms. Concussion diagnosis is challenging and the relationship between brain injury and clinical symptoms is unclear. The purpose of this commentary is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience to rehabilitation practice. We (1) highlight potential biomarkers that may improve our understanding of concussion and its recovery, (2) explain why researchers must address the paucity of concussion research in female athletes, and (3) present female-specific factors that should be accounted for in future studies. Integrating objective, quantitative measures of concussion pathophysiology with concussion history, genetics and genomics will help caregivers identify concussed athletes, tailor recovery protocols and protect athletes from potential long-term effects of cumulative head impact. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 1 Jun 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8884.

Language: en

Keywords

eye movement tracking; female athletes; magnetic resonance imaging; mild traumatic brain injury; neuroscience