TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - The impact of multiple concussions on emotional distress, postconcussive symptoms, and neurocognitive functioning, in active duty U.S. Marines independent of combat exposure or emotional distress
JO  - Journal of neurotrauma
A1  - Spira, James L.
A1  - Lathan, Corina E.
A1  - Bleiberg, Joseph
A1  - Tsao, Jack W.
SP  - 1823
EP  - 1834
VL  - 31
IS  - 22
N2  - Controversy exists as to whether the lingering effects of concussion on emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms is due to the effects of brain trauma, or purely to emotional factors such as posttraumatic stress disorder or depression. This study examines the independent effects of concussion on persistent symptoms. The Defense Automated Neurobehavioral Assessment, a clinical decision support tool, was used to assess neurobehavioral functioning in 646 United States Marines, all of whom were fit for duty. Marines were assessed for concussion history, postconcussive symptoms, emotional distress, neurocognitive functioning, and deployment history. <br><br>RESULTS showed that a recent concussion or ever having experienced a concussion was associated with an increase in emotional distress, but not with persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) or neurocognitive functioning. However, having had multiple lifetime concussions was associated with greater emotional distress, PPCS, and neurocognitive functioning that requires attention and rapid discrimination, but not for memory-based tasks. These results are independent of deployment history, combat exposure, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. <br><br>RESULTS supported earlier findings that a prior concussion is not generally associated with postconcussive symptoms independent of covariates. However, in contrast with other studies that failed to find a unique contribution for concussion to PPCS , evidence of recent and multiple concussion was seen across a range of emotional distress, post concussive symptoms, and neurocognitive functioning in this study population. <br><br>RESULTS are discussed in terms of implications for assessing concussion upon return from combat.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0897-7151
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2014.3363
ID  - ref1
ER  -