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Beard K, Gauff A, Pennington A, Marion D, Smith J, Sloley S. Biofluid, Imaging, Physiological and Functional Biomarkers of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Subconcussive Head Impacts. J Neurotrauma 2024. [PMID: 38943278 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2024.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-concussive symptoms are frequently reported by individuals who sustain mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) and subconcussive head impacts, even when evidence of intracranial pathology is lacking. Current strategies used to evaluate head injuries, which primarily rely on self-report, have a limited ability to predict the incidence, severity, and duration of post-concussive symptoms that will develop in an individual patient. Additionally, these self-report measures have little association with the underlying mechanisms of pathology that may contribute to persisting symptoms, impeding advancement in precision treatment for TBI. Emerging evidence suggests that biofluid, imaging, physiological, and functional biomarkers associated with mTBI and subconcussive head impacts may address these shortcomings by providing more objective measures of injury severity and underlying pathology. Interest in the use of biomarker data has rapidly accelerated, which is reflected by the recent efforts of organizations such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to prioritize the collection of biomarker data during TBI characterization in acute care settings. Thus, this review aims to describe recent progress in the identification and development of biomarkers of mTBI and subconcussive head impacts and to discuss important considerations for the implementation of these biomarkers in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kryshawna Beard
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Research , Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
- General Dynamics Information Technology Inc, Falls Church, Virginia, United States;
| | - Amina Gauff
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
- Xynergie Federal, LLC, San Juan , Puerto Rico, United States Minor Outlying Islands;
| | - Ashley Pennington
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
- Xynergie Federal, LLC, San Juan , Puerto Rico, United States Minor Outlying Islands;
| | - Donald Marion
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
- General Dynamics Information Technology Inc, Falls Church, Virginia, United States;
| | - Johanna Smith
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring , Maryland, United States;
| | - Stephanie Sloley
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States;
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Pearce AJ, Daly E, Ryan L, King D. Reliability of a Smooth Pursuit Eye-Tracking System (EyeGuide Focus) in Healthy Adolescents and Adults. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2023; 8:83. [PMID: 37367247 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8020083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most common brain injury, seen in sports, fall, vehicle, or workplace injuries. Concussion is the most common type of mTBI. Assessment of impairments from concussion is evolving, with oculomotor testing suggested as a key component in a multimodality diagnostic protocol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of one eye-tracking system, the EyeGuide Focus. A group of 75 healthy adolescent and adult participants (adolescents: n = 28; female = 11, male = 17, mean age 16.5 ± 1.4 years; adults n = 47; female = 22; male = 25, mean age 26.7 ± 7.0 years) completed three repetitions of the EyeGuide Focus within one session. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis showed the EyeGuide Focus had overall good reliability (ICC 0.79, 95%CI: 0.70, 0.86). However, a familiarization effect showing improvements in subsequent trials 2 (9.7%) and 3 (8.1%) was noticeable in both cohorts (p < 0.001) with adolescent participants showing greater familiarization effects than adults (21.7% vs. 13.1%). No differences were observed between sexes (p = 0.69). Overall, this is the first study to address the concern regarding a lack of published reliability studies for the EyeGuide Focus. Results showed good reliability, suggesting that oculomotor pursuits should be part of a multimodality assessment protocol, but the observation of familiarization effects suggests that smooth-pursuit testing using this device has the potential to provide a biologically-based interpretation of the maturation of the oculomotor system, as well as its relationship to multiple brain regions in both health and injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Pearce
- College of Sport Health Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia
| | - Ed Daly
- School of Science & Computing, Atlantic Technological University, H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland
| | - Lisa Ryan
- School of Science & Computing, Atlantic Technological University, H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland
| | - Doug King
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
- Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
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Schulze KJ, Robinson M, MacKenzie HM, Dickey JP. Association of Preexisting Mental Health Conditions With Increased Initial Symptom Count and Severity Score on SCAT5 When Assessing Concussion. Orthop J Sports Med 2022; 10:23259671221123581. [PMID: 36157090 PMCID: PMC9490471 DOI: 10.1177/23259671221123581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and learning disabilities, are associated with symptoms that can overlap with those seen in persons with concussion. While concussion screening tools such as the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool–5th Edition (SCAT5) quantify the number of symptoms and symptom severity, it is not known whether these outcomes differ among individuals with concurrent mental health conditions compared with those without them. Purpose: To determine whether, during initial concussion assessment, individuals with a self-reported mental health condition have a significantly different number of self-reported concussion symptoms or symptom severity compared with those without a self-reported mental health condition (controls). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on consecutive patients aged ≥13 years who underwent post-concussion assessment at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic between May 2018 and March 2020 (N = 765). Most participants did not self-report a mental health condition (n = 606; 79.2%). Participants with a self-reported mental health condition (n = 159) were classified as having a learning disability (n = 14; 8.8%), anxiety (n = 62; 39.0%), depression (n = 20; 12.6%), or multiple conditions (≥2 conditions: n = 63; 39.6%). Each participant with a mental health condition was matched with 2 control participants (overall pool, n = 318) based on age, sex, student status, and sport-related risk. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine the statistical significance of differences between each subgroup and their matched controls for the self-reported number of concussion symptoms and symptom severity as measured using the SCAT5. Results: The anxiety and multiple-conditions subgroups had a significantly greater number of reported symptoms than their corresponding control subgroups (median, 17 vs 15 [P = .004] and 18 vs 14.5 [P < .001], respectively). Additionally, the SCAT5 symptom severity score was significantly greater in the anxiety and multiple-conditions subgroups than their corresponding controls (median, 49 vs 34.5 [P = .018] and 62 vs 32 [P < .001], respectively). Conclusion: During initial concussion assessment, both the number of concussion-related symptoms and the symptom severity were greater in study participants with anxiety and multiple mental health conditions than participants without these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Robinson
- Faculty of Health Science, Lawson Health Research Institute, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heather M MacKenzie
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care London, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - James P Dickey
- School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Chrisman SPD, Whelan BM, Zatzick DF, Hilt RJ, Wang J, Marcynyszyn LA, Rivara FP, McCarty CA. Prevalence and risk factors for depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation in youth with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS). Brain Inj 2021; 35:1637-1644. [PMID: 34841998 PMCID: PMC10460267 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2021.2008490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for emotional distress in youth with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) greater than one month.Methods: We used baseline data from an intervention study for youth with PPCS, utilizing Poisson regression to examine factors associated with exceeding clinical cut-points on measures of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Predictors included: age, sex, socioeconomic status, mental health history, duration of concussion symptoms, history of prior concussion, trauma history and sleep quality.Results: The sample included 200 youth with PPCS, (mean 14.7 SD 1.7 years, 82% white, 62% female). Forty percent reported clinically significant depressive symptoms, 25% anxiety, 14% thoughts of self-harm and 8% thoughts of suicide. History of depression was associated with 3-fold higher risk for thoughts of self-harm (95% CI:1.82-6.99) and 6-fold higher risk for suicidal ideation (95% CI:1.74-24.46). Better sleep quality was associated with lower risk for all outcomes. History of prior concussion and duration of PPCS were not significantly associated with any outcomes.Conclusions: Suicidal thoughts are common post-concussion, and history of depression is a strong risk factor. Tailored interventions may be needed to address mental health in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara P. D. Chrisman
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Bridget M Whelan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Douglas F Zatzick
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Robert J Hilt
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA
| | - Lyscha A Marcynyszyn
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle WA, USA
| | - Frederick P Rivara
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, USA
- Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA
| | - Carolyn A McCarty
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington Seattle, Washington, USA
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Long-term effects of concussion on relevancy-based modulation of somatosensory-evoked potentials. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:2431-2439. [PMID: 34454270 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this investigation was to better understand the effects of concussions on the ability to selectively up or down-regulate incoming somatosensory information based on relevance. METHODS Median nerve somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) were elicited from electrical stimulation and recorded from scalp electrodes while participants completed tasks that altered the relevance of specific somatosensory information being conveyed along the stimulated nerve. RESULTS Within the control group, SEP amplitudes for task-relevant somatosensory information were significantly greater than for non-relevant somatosensory information at the earliest cortical processing potentials (N20-P27). Alternatively, the concussion history group showed similar SEP amplitudes for all conditions at early processing potentials, however a pattern similar to controls emerged later in the processing stream (P100) where both movement-related gating and facilitation of task-relevant information were present. CONCLUSIONS Previously concussed participants demonstrated impairments in the ability to up-regulate relevant somatosensory information at early processing stages. These effects appear to be chronic, as this pattern was observed on average several years after participants' most recent concussion. SIGNIFICANCE Given the role of the prefrontal cortex in relevancy-based facilitation during movement-related gating, these findings lend support to the notion that this brain area may be particularly vulnerable to concussive forces.
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Lees B, Earls NE, Meares S, Batchelor J, Oxenham V, Rae CD, Jugé L, Cysique LA. Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Sport-Related Concussion: A Systematic Review Using an a priori Quality Rating System. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:3032-3046. [PMID: 34309410 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of brain white matter (WM) may be useful for characterizing the nature and degree of brain injury after sport-related concussion (SRC) and assist in establishing objective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review using an a priori quality rating strategy to determine the most consistent DTI-WM changes post-SRC. Articles published in English (until June 2020) were retrieved by standard research engine and gray literature searches (N = 4932), using PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies were non-interventional naturalistic original studies that conducted DTI within 6 months of SRC in current athletes from all levels of play, types of sports, and sex. A total of 29 articles were included in the review, and after quality appraisal by two raters, data from 10 studies were extracted after being identified as high quality. High-quality studies showed widespread moderate-to-large WM differences when SRC samples were compared to controls during the acute to early chronic stage (days to weeks) post-SRC, including both increased and decreased fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity and decreased mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity. WM differences remained stable in the chronic stage (2-6 months post-SRC). DTI metrics were commonly associated with SRC symptom severity, although standardized SRC diagnostics would improve future research. This indicates that microstructural recovery is often incomplete at return to play and may lag behind clinically assessed recovery measures. Future work should explore interindividual trajectories to improve understanding of the heterogeneous and dynamic WM patterns post-SRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana Lees
- The Matilda Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola E Earls
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susanne Meares
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennifer Batchelor
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vincent Oxenham
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Caroline D Rae
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lauriane Jugé
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lucette A Cysique
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,St. Vincent's Hospital Applied Medical Research Centre, Peter Duncan Neuroscience, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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The More, the Better: High-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids Improve Behavioural and Molecular Outcomes in Preclinical Models in Mild Brain Injury. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2021; 21:45. [PMID: 34227043 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-021-01132-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a continuing healthcare concern worldwide contributing to significant cognitive and neurological impairment, consequently affecting activities of daily living. While mTBI recovery is becoming well studied, there are no interventions to reduce the known impairments of mTBI. Omega-3 fatty acids (N-3FA) are safe and beneficial for brain health; however, their potential effects in a pathophysiological environment such as that seen post-mTBI are unknown. RECENT FINDINGS Preclinical studies using rodent models are key to understanding molecular mechanisms underlying improvements post-injury. Studies to date have shown improved outcomes in rodent models following mTBI protocols, but these data have not been quantified using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Our systematic review assessed 291 studies identified from the literature. Of these studies, 18 studies met inclusion criteria. We conducted a meta-analysis examining the effect of high-dose n-3FA vs placebo on neurological, cognitive and molecular changes following mTBI. Quality of studies was rated as moderate to high quality, and while mostly compliant, some areas of risk of bias were identified. Results showed that preclinical doses of 10-370 mg/kg/day of n-3FA per day in rodents (equivalent to high clinical doses) resulted in improvements in neurological and cognitive performance (pooled effect sizes ranging between 1.52 and 3.55). Similarly, improvements in molecular and inflammatory markers were observed in treated rodents vs control (pooled effect sizes: 3.73-6.55). Overall, these findings highlight the potential for high-dose n-3FA for human clinical studies following mTBI.
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Daly E, Pearce AJ, Ryan L. A Systematic Review of Strength and Conditioning Protocols for Improving Neck Strength and Reducing Concussion Incidence and Impact Injury Risk in Collision Sports; Is There Evidence? J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2021; 6:jfmk6010008. [PMID: 33462169 PMCID: PMC7838928 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk6010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this systematic literature review was to evaluate the evidence regarding the development of neck strength in reducing concussion and cervical spine injuries in adult amateur and professional sport populations. PubMed, CINAHL, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases were searched systematically. The criteria for inclusion in the review were as follows: (1) a human adult (≥18 or above); (2) involved in amateur, semi-professional, or professional sports; (3) sports included involved collisions with other humans, apparatus or the environment; (4) interventions included pre- and post-neck muscle strength measures or neck stability measures; (5) outcomes included effects on increasing neck strength in participants and/or injury incidence. Database searches identified 2462 articles. Following title, abstract, and full paper screening, three papers were eligible for inclusion. All of the papers reported information from male participants, two were focused on rugby union, and one on American football. Two of the included studies found a significant improvement in isometric neck strength following intervention. None of the studies reported any impact of neck strengthening exercises on cervical spine injuries. This review has shown that there is currently a lack of evidence to support the use of neck strengthening interventions in reducing impact injury risk in adult populations who participate in sport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ed Daly
- School of Science and Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland;
| | - Alan J. Pearce
- College of Science Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Lisa Ryan
- School of Science and Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland;
- Correspondence:
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Scott E, Kidgell DJ, Frazer AK, Pearce AJ. The Neurophysiological Responses of Concussive Impacts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:306. [PMID: 33192374 PMCID: PMC7481389 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated neurophysiological responses using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) following a concussion or sub-concussion. Methods: A systematic searching of relevant databases for peer-reviewed literature quantifying motor evoked potentials from TMS between 1999 and 2019 was performed. A meta-analysis quantified pooled data for measures including motor threshold, motor latency, and motor evoked potential amplitude and for inhibitory measures such as cortical silent period duration, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) ratios. Results: Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies were arbitrarily classified into the groups, based on time post-concussion, “acute” (subjects 0–3 months post-injury, n = 8) and “post-acute” (3 months−2 years post-concussion, n = 7). A TMS quality of study checklist rated studies from moderate to high in methodological quality; however, the risk of bias analysis found that the included studies were categorised as high risk of bias, particularly for a lack of allocation concealment and blinding of participants in the methodologies. A meta-analysis showed no differences in excitability measures, apart from a decreased motor threshold that was observed in the concussed group (SMD −0.28, 95% CI −0.51 to −0.04; P = 0.02) for the post-acute time frame. Conversely, all inhibitory measures showed differences between groups. Cortical silent period duration was found to be significantly increased in the acute (SMD 1.19, 95% CI 0.58–1.81; P < 0.001) and post-acute (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.12–0.98; P = 0.01) time frames. The SICI (SMD −1.15, 95% CI −1.95 to −0.34; P = 0.005) and LICI (SMD −1.95, 95% CI −3.04 to −0.85; P = 0.005) ratios were reduced, inferring increased inhibition, for the post-acute time frame. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that inhibitory pathways are affected in the acute period post-concussion. However, persistent alterations in cortical excitability remain, with increased intracortical inhibition. While TMS should be considered as a reliable technique to measure the functional integrity of the central nervous system, the high risk of bias and heterogeneity in data suggest that future studies should aim to incorporate standardised methodological techniques, particularly with threshold determination and stimulus intervals for paired-pulse measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Scott
- College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dawson J Kidgell
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashlyn K Frazer
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alan J Pearce
- College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Lefebvre G, Guay S, Chamard E, Theaud G, de Guise E, Bacon BA, Descoteaux M, De Beaumont L, Théoret H. Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Contact and Non-Contact University-Level Sport Athletes. J Neurotrauma 2020; 38:529-537. [PMID: 32640880 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Subconcussive hits to the head and physical fitness both have been associated with alterations in white matter (WM) microstructure in partly overlapping areas of the brain. The aim of the present study was to determine whether WM damage associated with repeated exposure to subconcussive hits to the head in university level contact sports athletes is modulated by high levels of fitness. To this end, 72 students were recruited: 24 athletes practicing a varsity contact sport (A-CS), 24 athletes practicing a varsity non-contact sport (A-NCS), and 24 healthy non-athletes (NA). Participants underwent a magnetic resonance imaging session that included diffusion-weighted imaging. Between-groups, statistical analyses were performed with diffusion tensor imaging measures extracted by tractometry of sections of the corpus callosum and the corticospinal tract. Most significant effects were found in A-NCS who exhibited higher fractional anisotropy (FA) values than A-CS in almost all segments of the corpus callosum and in the corticospinal tract. The A-NCS also showed higher FA compared with NA in the anterior regions of the corpus callosum and the corticospinal tracts. No group difference was found between the A-CS and the NA groups. These data suggest that repeated subconcussive hits to the head lead to anisotropic changes in the WM that may counteract the beneficial effects associated with high levels of fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Lefebvre
- Department of Psychology and Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Samuel Guay
- Department of Psychology and Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Emilie Chamard
- Department of Psychology and Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Guillaume Theaud
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Laboratory (SCIL), Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Elaine de Guise
- Department of Psychology and Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Maxime Descoteaux
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Laboratory (SCIL), Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Louis De Beaumont
- Department of Surgery, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Hugo Théoret
- Department of Psychology and Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Muftuler LT, Meier TB, Keith M, Budde MD, Huber DL, McCrea MA. Serial Diffusion Kurtosis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study during Acute, Subacute, and Recovery Periods after Sport-Related Concussion. J Neurotrauma 2020; 37:2081-2092. [PMID: 32253977 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.6993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sport-related concussion (SRC) is common in contact sports, but there remains a lack of reliable, unbiased biomarkers of brain injury and recovery. Although the symptoms of SRC generally resolve over a period of days to weeks, the lack of a biomarker impairs detection and return-to-play decisions. To this date, the pathophysiological recovery profile and relationships between brain changes and symptoms remained unclear. In the current study, diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) was used to monitor the effects of SRC on the brain and the trajectory of recovery in concussed American football players (n = 96) at <48 h, and 8, 15, and 45 days post-injury, who were compared with a matched group of uninjured players (n = 82). The concussed group reported significantly higher symptoms within 48 h after injury than controls, which resolved by the 8-day follow-up. The concussed group also demonstrated poorer performance on balance testing at <48 h and 8 days than controls. There were no significant differences between the groups in the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC), a cognitive screening measure. DKI data were acquired with 3 mm isotropic resolution, and analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). Additionally, voxel- and region of interest-based analyses were also conducted. At <48 h, the concussed group showed significantly higher axial kurtosis than the control group. These differences increased in extent and magnitude at 8 days, then receded at 15 days, and returned to the normal levels by 45 days. Kurtosis fractional anisotropy (FA) exhibited a delayed response, with a consistent increase by days 15 and 45. The results indicate that changes detected in the acute period appear to be prolonged compared with clinical recovery, but additional brain changes not observable acutely appear to progress. Although further studies are needed to understand the pathological features of DKI changes after SRC, these findings highlight a potential disparity between clinical symptoms and pathophysiological recovery after SRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tugan Muftuler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Timothy B Meier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Monica Keith
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Matthew D Budde
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Daniel L Huber
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michael A McCrea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.,Center for Neurotrauma Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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12
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Churchill NW, Hutchison MG, Graham SJ, Schweizer TA. Neurometabolites and sport-related concussion: From acute injury to one year after medical clearance. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 27:102258. [PMID: 32388345 PMCID: PMC7215245 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Sport-related concussion is associated with acute disturbances in neurometabolic function, with effects that may last weeks to months after injury. However, is presently unknown whether these disturbances resolve at medical clearance to return to play (RTP) or continue to evolve over longer time intervals. Moreover, little is known about how these neurometabolic changes correlate with other measures of brain physiology. In this study, these gaps were addressed by evaluating ninety-nine (99) university-level athletes, including 33 with sport-related concussion and 66 without recent injury, using multi-parameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which included single-voxel spectroscopy (SVS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (fMRI). The concussed athletes were scanned at the acute phase of injury (27/33 imaged), medical clearance to RTP (25/33 imaged), one month post-RTP (25/33 imaged) and one year post-RTP (13/33 imaged). We measured longitudinal changes in N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and myo-inositol (Ins), over the course of concussion recovery. Concussed athletes showed no significant abnormalities or longitudinal change in NAA values, whereas Ins was significantly elevated at RTP and one month later. Interestingly, Ins response was attenuated by a prior history of concussion. Subsequent analyses identified significant associations between Ins values, DTI measures of white matter microstructure and fMRI measures of functional connectivity. These associations varied over the course of concussion recovery, suggesting that elevated Ins values at RTP and beyond reflect distinct changes in brain physiology, compared to acute injury. These findings provide novel information about neurometabolic recovery after a sport-related concussion, with evidence of disturbances that persist beyond medical clearance to RTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan W Churchill
- Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Neuroscience Research Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Michael G Hutchison
- Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Simon J Graham
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tom A Schweizer
- Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Neuroscience Research Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Faculty of Medicine (Neurosurgery) University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; The Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) at the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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The Role of Blood Biomarkers for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56020087. [PMID: 32098419 PMCID: PMC7074393 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56020087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The annual global incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is over 10 million. An estimated 29% of TBI patients with negative computed tomography (CT−) have positive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI+) findings. Judicious use of serum biomarkers with MRI may aid in diagnosis of CT-occult TBI. The current manuscript aimed to evaluate the diagnostic, therapeutic and risk-stratification utility of known biomarkers and intracranial MRI pathology. Materials and Methods: The PubMed database was queried with keywords (plasma OR serum) AND (biomarker OR marker OR protein) AND (brain injury/trauma OR head injury/trauma OR concussion) AND (magnetic resonance imaging/MRI) (title/abstract) in English. Seventeen articles on TBI biomarkers and MRI were included: S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B; N = 6), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; N = 3), GFAP/ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1; N = 2), Tau (N = 2), neurofilament-light (NF-L; N = 2), alpha-synuclein (N = 1), and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor peptide (AMPAR; N = 1). Results: Acute GFAP distinguished CT−/MRI+ from CT−/MRI− (AUC = 0.777, 0.852 at 9–16 h). GFAP discriminated CT−/diffuse axonal injury (DAI+) from controls (AUC = 0.903). Tau correlated directly with number of head strikes and inversely with white matter fractional anisotropy (FA), and a cutoff > 1.5 pg/mL discriminated between DAI+ and DAI− (sensitivity = 74%/specificity = 69%). NF-L had 100% discrimination of DAI in severe TBI and correlated with FA. Low alpha-synuclein was associated with poorer functional connectivity. AMPAR cutoff > 0.4 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 92% for concussion and was associated with minor MRI findings. Low/undetectable S100B had a high negative predictive value for CT/MRI pathology. UCH-L1 showed no notable correlations with MRI. Conclusions: An acute circulating biomarker capable of discriminating intracranial MRI abnormalities is critical to establishing diagnosis for CT-occult TBI and can triage patients who may benefit from outpatient MRI, surveillance and/or follow up with TBI specialists. GFAP has shown diagnostic potential for MRI findings such as DAI and awaits further validation. Tau shows promise in detecting DAI and disrupted functional connectivity. Candidate biomarkers should be evaluated within the context of analytical performance of the assays used, as well as the post-injury timeframe for blood collection relative to MRI abnormalities.
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Abstract
Concussion, a peculiar type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is an injury frequently encountered in various contact and noncontact sports, such as boxing, martial arts, American football, rugby, soccer, ice hockey, horse riding, and alpine skiing. Concussion occurs anytime external forces of specific intensities provoke acceleration-deceleration of the brain, and it is characterized by the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurologic functions, spontaneously resolving within weeks, persisting for longer times only in a small percentage of cases. A wide range of molecular alterations, including mitochondrial dysfunction, energy deficit, and gene and protein expression changes, is triggered by concussion and lasts longer than clinical symptoms. In recent years, concussion has become a primary issue of discussion among sports medicine professionals, athletes, media, and sports sponsors in relation to athletes' return to play, after a concussion. Continued improvement in prevention and management of concussed athletes requires extensive research from different disciplines. Research work needs to focus on both prevention and management. Researchers and clinicians' efforts should be dedicated to a better understanding of the molecular changes occurring in the post-concussed brain and to clearly define healing after concussion for a safe return of athletes to play. It is essential for sports medicine professionals to stay informed about the advances in understanding concussions and how to rehabilitate each single player who sustained a concussion.
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15
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Pearce AJ, Tommerdahl M, King DA. Neurophysiological abnormalities in individuals with persistent post-concussion symptoms. Neuroscience 2019; 408:272-281. [PMID: 31004695 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Concussion injury results in a rapid onset of transient neurological impairment that can resolve quickly, or sometimes evolve over time, but usually resolve within seven to 10 days. However, a small but noticeable cohort (~10%) of individuals continues to experience persistent lingering effects, particularly fatigue, recognized as post-concussion symptoms (PCS). This study explored neurophysiological mechanisms in people with persistent PCS. Studies involved using self-report post-concussion fatigue scale, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and somatosensory stimulation in those with diagnosed PCS (n = 20; 36.1 ± 14.0 yr., 4 female; mean time post-concussion 15.4 ± 7.6 months) to fully recovered individuals (n = 20; 33.8 ± 6.6 yr., 2 female; post-concussion 12.9 ± 6.6 months) and healthy controls (n = 20; 37.7 ± 8.0 yr., 3 female). PCS participants demonstrated a significantly higher self-report fatigue (score: PCS 20.2 [95% CI 17.4-22.9], Recovered 6.2 [3.1-9.3], Control 2.75 [0.6-4.8]). PCS participants showed a worsening of reaction time (F2,57 = 4.214; p = 0.020) and increased reaction time variability (F2,57 = 5.505; p = 0.007). Somatosensory differences were observed for amplitude discrimination (F2,57 = 5.166; p = 0.009), temporal order judgment (F2,57 = 4.606; p = 0.014) and duration discrimination (F2,57 = 6.081; p = 0.004). Increased intracortical inhibition in TMS single pulse suprathreshold stimulation (110%: F2,57 = 6.842; p = 0.002; 130%: F2,57 = 4.900; p = 0.011; 150%: F2,57 = 4.638; p = 0.014; 170%: F2,57 = 9.845; p < 0.001) and paired pulse protocols was also seen (SICI: F2,57 = 23.390; p < 0.001, and LICI: F2,57 = 21.603; p < 0.001). Using non-invasive stimulation techniques, this novel study showed increased cortical inhibition and compromised central information processing, suggesting neural mechanisms underpinning ongoing fatigue, allowing for potential clinical rehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Pearce
- School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Mark Tommerdahl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Doug A King
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Faculty of Health and Environmental Science Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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16
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Wu T, Merkley TL, Wilde EA, Barnes A, Li X, Chu ZD, McCauley SR, Hunter JV, Levin HS. A preliminary report of cerebral white matter microstructural changes associated with adolescent sports concussion acutely and subacutely using diffusion tensor imaging. Brain Imaging Behav 2019; 12:962-973. [PMID: 28812290 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-017-9752-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has demonstrated its utility in detecting microscopic post-concussion cerebral white matter structural changes, which are not routinely evident on conventional neuroimaging modalities. In this study, we compared 10 adolescents with sports concussion (SC) to 12 orthopedically-injured (OI) individuals within 96 h and three months post injury to 12 typically-developing (TD) participants using DTI and volumetric analyses. In terms of volume, no group differences were noted between SC, OI and TD groups at both 96 h and three months post concussion. Results did not show significant differences between SC, OI, and TD groups for both fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in all regions of interest within 96 h post concussion. However, at three months post-injury, the SC group exhibited significantly lower FA than the TD group in various regions of interest. In terms of ADC, significant group differences between SC and TD groups were found in some regions, with SC group having higher ADC than TD. No group differences for FA and ADC were noted between SC and OI groups at three months post-injury. However, several moderate effect sizes on between-group analyses were noted such that FA was lower and ADC was higher in SC relative to OI. Longitudinally, the SC group demonstrated decreased FA and increased ADC in some areas. The findings highlight the fact that the brain continues to change during the post-injury recovery period, and raises the possibility that adverse changes may result from the neurometabolic cascade that purportedly ensues following SC. DTI may potentially be used to characterize the nature of brain changes that occur following sports-related concussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Wu
- Mercy Health St. Mary's, Michigan State University, 220 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Tricia L Merkley
- Barrow Neurological Institute, 222 W. Thomas Road, Suite 315, Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Wilde
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza BCM637, Houston, TX, 77030-3411, USA.
| | - Amanda Barnes
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Ave #1440, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Xiaoqi Li
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza BCM637, Houston, TX, 77030-3411, USA
| | - Zili David Chu
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza BCM637, Houston, TX, 77030-3411, USA
| | - Stephen R McCauley
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza BCM637, Houston, TX, 77030-3411, USA
| | - Jill V Hunter
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza BCM637, Houston, TX, 77030-3411, USA
| | - Harvey S Levin
- Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza BCM637, Houston, TX, 77030-3411, USA
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17
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Bigler ED. Structural neuroimaging in sport-related concussion. Int J Psychophysiol 2018; 132:105-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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18
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Tremblay S, Pascual-Leone A, Théoret H. A review of the effects of physical activity and sports concussion on brain function and anatomy. Int J Psychophysiol 2018; 132:167-175. [PMID: 28893565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Physical activity has been associated with widespread anatomical and functional brain changes that occur following acute exercise or, in the case of athletes, throughout life. High levels of physical activity through the practice of sports also lead to better general health and increased cognitive function. Athletes are at risk, however, of suffering a concussion, the effects of which have been extensively described for brain function and anatomy. The level to which these effects are modulated by increased levels of fitness is not known. Here, we review literature describing the effects of physical activity and sports concussions on white matter, grey matter, neurochemistry and cortical excitability. We suggest that the effects of sports concussion can be coufounded by the effects of exercise. Indeed, available data show that the brain of athletes is different from that of healthy individuals with a non-active lifestyle. As a result, sports concussions take place in a context where structural/functional plasticity has occurred prior to the concussive event. The sports concussion literature does not permit, at present, to separate the effects of intense and repeated physical activity, and the abrupt removal from such activities, from those of concussion on brain structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Tremblay
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Division for Cognitive Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hugo Théoret
- Département de psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
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19
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Costello DM, Kaye AH, O'Brien TJ, Shultz SR. Sport related concussion - Potential for biomarkers to improve acute management. J Clin Neurosci 2018; 56:1-6. [PMID: 30055944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sport-related concussion is a common form of mild traumatic brain injury that is now recognised as a serious health issue. Growing evidence suggests concussion may result in long-term and severe neurological disabilities. Recent research into the diagnosis and management of concussion may provide new approaches to concussion management that limit the potential long-term adverse effects of concussion. This paper summarises the problem of sport-related concussion and reviews key factors (sex, age, genetics) that may modify concussion outcomes. Current sport-related concussion tools are described. Analysis of emerging methods of acute concussion diagnosis using objective fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers is provided. These new concussion biomarkers have the potential to change management of sport-related concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Costello
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | - Andrew H Kaye
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Departments of Neuroscience and Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Departments of Neuroscience and Medicine, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
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20
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Lancaster MA, Meier TB, Olson DV, McCrea MA, Nelson LD, Muftuler LT. Chronic differences in white matter integrity following sport-related concussion as measured by diffusion MRI: 6-Month follow-up. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 39:4276-4289. [PMID: 29964356 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrated evidence of physiological changes in the brain following sport-related concussion (SRC) that persisted beyond the point at which athletes achieved full symptom recovery. Diffusion MRI techniques have been used to study brain white matter (WM) changes following SRC; however, longitudinal studies that follow injured athletes from the acute to chronic stages of injury are sparse. The current study explores potential persisting effects of the injury, which serves as a follow-up to our previous work that reported WM changes in the acute and subacute phase of SRC recovery. Concussed high school and collegiate football players (n = 17) and well-matched teammate controls (n = 20) were followed up at 6 months postinjury with diffusion tensor (DTI) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) as well as measures of self-reported symptoms, cognitive functioning, and balance. Results of tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyses revealed continued widespread decreased mean and axial diffusivity compared to control subjects in 6-month follow-up scans. On the other hand, kurtosis metrics, which were significantly higher in concussed athletes in the acute phase, had normalized. WM tract regions-of-interest (ROIs) were created from significant clusters in the TBSS analysis, and linear mixed effects (LME) analyses were used to look at longitudinal changes in these ROIs over time. LME analyses revealed few time × group interactions indicating findings were relatively stable over time. In addition, acute concussion symptoms predicted diffusivity measures at 6 months postinjury. Findings indicate that DTI and DKI may be useful tools in assessing concussion severity, recovery, and possible long-term effects of concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Lancaster
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Timothy B Meier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Daniel V Olson
- Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Michael A McCrea
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Lindsay D Nelson
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - L Tugan Muftuler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Center for Imaging Research Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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21
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Meconi A, Wortman RC, Wright DK, Neale KJ, Clarkson M, Shultz SR, Christie BR. Repeated mild traumatic brain injury can cause acute neurologic impairment without overt structural damage in juvenile rats. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197187. [PMID: 29738554 PMCID: PMC5940222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated concussion is becoming increasingly recognized as a serious public health concern around the world. Moreover, there is a greater awareness amongst health professionals of the potential for repeated pediatric concussions to detrimentally alter the structure and function of the developing brain. To better study this issue, we developed an awake closed head injury (ACHI) model that enabled repeated concussions to be performed reliably and reproducibly in juvenile rats. A neurological assessment protocol (NAP) score was generated immediately after each ACHI to help quantify the cumulative effects of repeated injury on level of consciousness, and basic motor and reflexive capacity. Here we show that we can produce a repeated ACHI (4 impacts in two days) in both male and female juvenile rats without significant mortality or pain. We show that both single and repeated injuries produce acute neurological deficits resembling clinical concussion symptoms that can be quantified using the NAP score. Behavioural analyses indicate repeated ACHI acutely impaired spatial memory in the Barnes maze, and an interesting sex effect was revealed as memory impairment correlated moderately with poorer NAP score performance in a subset of females. These cognitive impairments occurred in the absence of motor impairments on the Rotarod, or emotional changes in the open field and elevated plus mazes. Cresyl violet histology and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated that repeated ACHI did not produce significant structural damage. MRI also confirmed there was no volumetric loss in the cortex, hippocampus, or corpus callosum of animals at 1 or 7 days post-ACHI. Together these data indicate that the ACHI model can provide a reliable, high throughput means to study the effects of concussions in juvenile rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Meconi
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan C. Wortman
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David K. Wright
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katie J. Neale
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Melissa Clarkson
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sandy R. Shultz
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brian R. Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Brain Health and Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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22
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Chamard E, Lichtenstein JD. A systematic review of neuroimaging findings in children and adolescents with sports-related concussion. Brain Inj 2018; 32:816-831. [PMID: 29648462 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1463106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sport-related concussion (SRC) generally does not result in structural anomalies revealed through clinical imaging techniques such as MRI and CT. While advanced neuroimaging techniques offer another avenue to investigate the subtle alterations following SRC, the current pediatric literature in this area has yet to be reviewed. The aim of this review is to systematically explore the literature on magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and cortical thickness following SRC in children and adolescents. METHODS A systematic Pubmed search using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines was conducted independently for each neuroimaging method. Studies were screened for inclusion based on pre-determined criteria. RESULTS A total of 26 studies were included (MRS = 4, DTI = 10, fMRI = 11, cortical thickness = 1). A total of 16 studies were conducted solely with male athletes, while 10 studies recruited an unequal number of male and female athletes. CONCLUSIONS While MRI and CT are generally unrevealing, advanced neuroimaging techniques demonstrated neurometabolic, microstructural, and functional alterations following SRC in athletes younger than 19 years of age in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of recovery. However, more studies are needed to fully understand the impact of SRC on the developing brain in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Chamard
- a Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center , Lebanon , NH , USA
| | - Jonathan D Lichtenstein
- a Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center , Lebanon , NH , USA
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23
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Lefebvre G, Chamard E, Proulx S, Tremblay S, Halko M, Soman S, de Guise E, Pascual-Leone A, Théoret H. Increased Myo-Inositol in Primary Motor Cortex of Contact Sports Athletes without a History of Concussion. J Neurotrauma 2018; 35:953-962. [PMID: 29279021 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine whether repetitive hits to the head at a subclinical level are associated with structural and functional brain abnormalities and whether these effects are influenced by high levels of fitness associated with intense physical activity. Seventy-two college students were recruited: 24 nonathletic, 24 athletes practicing a varsity contact sport, and 24 athletes practicing a varsity noncontact sport. They were recruited for a neuropsychological evaluation and a magnetic resonance imaging session that included magnetic resonance spectroscopy of primary motor cortex (M1) and prefrontal cortex and susceptibility-weighted imaging. There was no evidence for reduced cognitive performance or presence of micro bleeds in contact sports athletes. Abnormalities in contact sports athletes were found for myo-inositol concentration (mIns) in M1, where levels were significantly higher compared with noncontact sports athletes (p = 0.016) and nonathletes (p = 0.029). In prefrontal cortex, glutamate + glutamine (Glx) was significantly reduced in contact sports athletes compared with noncontact sports athletes (p = 0.016), and a similar reduction was observed for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels (p = 0.005). Varsity contact sports are associated with area-specific alterations in mIns concentration in the primary motor cortex. In the prefrontal cortex, high levels of fitness could modulate the effects of head impact exposure on prefrontal metabolite concentration. Indeed, although athletes in contact and noncontact sports show different neurometabolic profiles, they do not differ from sedentary controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Lefebvre
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Emilie Chamard
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Sara Tremblay
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mark Halko
- Division of Cognitive Neurology and Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Salil Soman
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elaine de Guise
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Division of Cognitive Neurology and Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Institut de Neurorrehabilitacion Guttmann, Universitat Autonoma, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hugo Théoret
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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24
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Wright DK, O'Brien TJ, Mychasiuk R, Shultz SR. Telomere length and advanced diffusion MRI as biomarkers for repetitive mild traumatic brain injury in adolescent rats. Neuroimage Clin 2018; 18:315-324. [PMID: 29876252 PMCID: PMC5987845 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are of worldwide concern in adolescents of both sexes, and repeated mTBI (RmTBI) may have serious long-term neurological consequences. As such, the study of RmTBI and discovery of objective biomarkers that can help guide medical decisions is an important undertaking. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), which provides markers of axonal injury, and telomere length (TL) are two clinically relevant biomarkers that have been implicated in a number of neurological conditions, and may also be affected by RmTBI. Therefore, this study utilized the lateral impact injury model of RmTBI to investigate changes in diffusion MRI and TL, and how these changes relate to each other. Adolescent male and female rats received either three mTBIs or three sham injuries. The first injury was given on postnatal day 30 (P30), with the repeated injuries separated by four days each. Seven days after the final injury, a sample of ear tissue was collected for TL analysis. Rats were then euthanized and whole brains were collected and fixated for MRI analyses that included diffusion and high-resolution structural sequences. Compared to the sham-injured group, RmTBI rats had significantly shorter TL at seven days post-injury. Analysis of advanced DWI measures found that RmTBI rats had abnormalities in the corpus callosum and cortex at seven days post-injury. Notably, many of the DWI changes were correlated with TL. These findings demonstrate that TL and DWI measurements are changed by RmTBI and may represent clinically applicable biomarkers for this.
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Affiliation(s)
- David K Wright
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Department of Psychology, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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Lancaster MA, Olson DV, McCrea MA, Nelson LD, LaRoche AA, Muftuler LT. Acute white matter changes following sport-related concussion: A serial diffusion tensor and diffusion kurtosis tensor imaging study. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 37:3821-3834. [PMID: 27237455 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent neuroimaging studies have suggested that following sport-related concussion (SRC) physiological brain alterations may persist after an athlete has shown full symptom recovery. Diffusion MRI is a versatile technique to study white matter injury following SRC, yet serial follow-up studies in the very acute stages following SRC utilizing a comprehensive set of diffusion metrics are lacking. The aim of the current study was to characterize white matter changes within 24 hours of concussion in a group of high school and collegiate athletes, using Diffusion Tensor and Diffusion Kurtosis Tensor metrics. Participants were reassessed a week later. At 24 hours post-injury, the concussed group reported significantly more concussion symptoms than a well-matched control group and demonstrated poorer performance on a cognitive screening measure, yet these differences were nonsignificant at the 8-day follow-up. Similarly, within 24-hours after injury, the concussed group exhibited a widespread decrease in mean diffusivity, increased axial kurtosis and, to a lesser extent, decreased axial and radial diffusivities compared with control subjects. At 8 days post injury, the differences in these diffusion metrics were even more widespread in the injured athletes, despite improvement of symptoms and cognitive performance. These MRI findings suggest that the athletes might not have reached full physiological recovery a week after the injury. These findings have significant implications for the management of SRC because allowing an athlete to return to play before the brain has fully recovered from injury may have negative consequences. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3821-3834, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Lancaster
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226
| | - Daniel V Olson
- Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226
| | - Michael A McCrea
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226
| | - Lindsay D Nelson
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226
| | - Ashley A LaRoche
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226
| | - L Tugan Muftuler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226.
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26
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Rau TF, Patel SA, Guzik EE, Sorich E, Pearce AJ. Efficacy of a repeat testing protocol for cognitive fatigue assessment: a preliminary study in postconcussive syndrome participants. Concussion 2017; 2:CNC44. [PMID: 30202588 PMCID: PMC6122690 DOI: 10.2217/cnc-2017-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: A small but notable number of individuals who suffer a concussion report ongoing cognitive difficulties. This preliminary study investigated the efficacy of repetitive test application to discern cognitive impairment in those with ongoing symptoms. Methods: Participants (n = 17) with continuing self-reported symptoms following a concussion (∼9 months postinjury) were compared with 17 age group matched controls for working memory and word-list learning. Results: Both groups performed similarly after the first trial for both assessments. However, in subsequent trials, the postconcussion group performed significantly worse than controls. Discussion: While further studies to understand the mechanisms are warranted, data from this preliminary study suggest that a repetitive test application may be useful to discern cognitive fatigue in individuals who report ongoing concerns following a concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Rau
- The Neural Injury Center, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.,The Neural Injury Center, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Sarjubhai A Patel
- The Neural Injury Center, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.,The Neural Injury Center, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Erik E Guzik
- Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Montana Western, 208 Business & Technology Building, 710 S Atlantic St, Dillon, MT 59725, USA.,Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Montana Western, 208 Business & Technology Building, 710 S Atlantic St, Dillon, MT 59725, USA
| | - Edmond Sorich
- GLIA Diagnostics, PO Box 138N, Armadale, VIC 3143, Australia.,GLIA Diagnostics, PO Box 138N, Armadale, VIC 3143, Australia
| | - Alan J Pearce
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition & Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia.,Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.,Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition & Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia.,Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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27
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España LY, Lee RM, Ling JM, Jeromin A, Mayer AR, Meier TB. Serial Assessment of Gray Matter Abnormalities after Sport-Related Concussion. J Neurotrauma 2017; 34:3143-3152. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lezlie Y. España
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Ryan M. Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Josef M. Ling
- The Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | | | - Andrew R. Mayer
- The Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Neurology Department, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Timothy B. Meier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma
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28
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Broglio SP, Williams R, Lapointe A, Rettmann A, Moore B, Meehan SK, Eckner JT. Brain Network Activation Technology Does Not Assist with Concussion Diagnosis and Return to Play in Football Athletes. Front Neurol 2017. [PMID: 28634467 PMCID: PMC5460056 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Concussion diagnosis and management remains a largely subjective process. This investigation sought to evaluate the utility of a novel neuroelectric measure for concussion diagnosis and return to play decision-making. Hypothesis Brain Network Activation (BNA) scores obtained within 72-h of injury will be lower than the athlete’s preseason evaluation and that of a matched control athlete; and the BNA will demonstrate ongoing declines at the return to play and post-season time points, while standard measures will have returned to pre-injury and control athlete levels. Design Case–control study. Methods Football athletes with a diagnosed concussion (n = 8) and matched control football athletes (n = 8) completed a preseason evaluation of cognitive (i.e., Cogstate Computerized Cognitive Assessment Tool) and neuroelectric function (i.e., BNA), clinical reaction time, SCAT3 self-reported symptoms, and quality of life (i.e., Health Behavior Inventory and Satisfaction with Life Scale). Following a diagnosed concussion, injured and control athletes completed post-injury evaluations within 72-h, once asymptomatic, and at the conclusion of the football season. Results Case analysis of the neuroelectric assessment failed to provide improved diagnostics beyond traditional clinical measures. Statistical analyses indicated significant BNA improvements in the concussed and control groups from baseline to the asymptomatic timepoint. Conclusion With additional attention being placed on rapid and accurate concussion diagnostics and return to play decision-making, the addition of a novel neuroelectric assessment does not appear to provide additional clinical benefit at this time. Clinicians should continue to follow the recommendations for the clinical management of concussion with the assessment of the symptom, cognitive, and motor control domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven P Broglio
- NeuroTrauma Research Laboratory, University of Michigan Injury Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Richelle Williams
- NeuroTrauma Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Andrew Lapointe
- NeuroTrauma Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Ashley Rettmann
- NeuroTrauma Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Brandon Moore
- Michigan NeuroSport, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sean K Meehan
- Human Sensorimotor Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - James T Eckner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan NeuroSport, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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29
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Symptom Trajectories After Military Blast Exposure and the Influence of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2017; 32:E16-E26. [DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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30
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Narayana PA. White matter changes in patients with mild traumatic brain injury: MRI perspective. Concussion 2017; 2:CNC35. [PMID: 30202576 PMCID: PMC6093760 DOI: 10.2217/cnc-2016-0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on white matter (WM) changes in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) as assessed by multimodal MRI. All the peer reviewed publications on WM changes in mTBI from January 2011 through September 2016 are included in this review. This review is organized as follows: introduction to mTBI, the basics of multimodal MRI techniques that are potentially useful for probing the WM integrity, summary and critical evaluation of the published literature on the application of multimodal MRI techniques to assess the changes of WM in mTBI, and correlation of MRI measures with behavioral deficits. The MRI–pathology correlation studies based on preclinical models of mTBI are also reviewed. Finally, the author's perspective of future research directions is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ponnada A Narayana
- Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Imaging, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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31
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Sone JY, Kondziolka D, Huang JH, Samadani U. Helmet efficacy against concussion and traumatic brain injury: a review. J Neurosurg 2017; 126:768-781. [DOI: 10.3171/2016.2.jns151972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Helmets are one of the earliest and most enduring methods of personal protection in human civilization. Although primarily developed for combat purposes in ancient times, modern helmets have become highly diversified to sports, recreation, and transportation. History and the scientific literature exhibit that helmets continue to be the primary and most effective prevention method against traumatic brain injury (TBI), which presents high mortality and morbidity rates in the US. The neurosurgical and neurotrauma literature on helmets and TBI indicate that helmets provide effectual protection against moderate to severe head trauma resulting in severe disability or death. However, there is a dearth of scientific data on helmet efficacy against concussion in both civilian and military aspects. The objective of this literature review was to explore the historical evolution of helmets, consider the effectiveness of helmets in protecting against severe intracranial injuries, and examine recent evidence on helmet efficacy against concussion. It was also the goal of this report to emphasize the need for more research on helmet efficacy with improved experimental design and quantitative standardization of assessments for concussion and TBI, and to promote expanded involvement of neurosurgery in studying the quantitative diagnostics of concussion and TBI. Recent evidence summarized by this literature review suggests that helmeted patients do not have better relative clinical outcome and protection against concussion than unhelmeted patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Je Yeong Sone
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Douglas Kondziolka
- 1Department of Neurosurgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jason H. Huang
- 2Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Central Division, Temple, Texas; and
| | - Uzma Samadani
- 3Department of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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32
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Stovitz SD, Weseman JD, Hooks MC, Schmidt RJ, Koffel JB, Patricios JS. What Definition Is Used to Describe Second Impact Syndrome in Sports? A Systematic and Critical Review. Curr Sports Med Rep 2017; 16:50-55. [PMID: 28067742 DOI: 10.1249/jsr.0000000000000326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Concern about what has been termed, "second impact syndrome" (SIS) is a major factor determining return-to-play decisions after concussion. However, definitions of SIS vary. We used Scopus to conduct a systematic review and categorize the definitions used to describe SIS. Of the 91 sources identified, 79 (87%) clearly specified that SIS involved either cerebral edema or death after a concussion when a prior concussion had not resolved. Twelve articles (13%) could be interpreted as merely the events of two consecutive concussions. Among the articles that listed mortality rates, nearly all (33/35, 94%) said the rate of death was "high" (e.g., 50% to 100%). Our review found that most articles define SIS as a syndrome requiring catastrophic brain injury after consecutive concussive episodes. Given that it is unclear how common it is to have a second concussion while not fully recovered from a first concussion, the actual mortality rate of SIS is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven D Stovitz
- 1Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; 2University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN; 3Bio-Medical Library, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; 4Section of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; and 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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33
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Walker WC, Carne W, Franke LM, Nolen T, Dikmen SD, Cifu DX, Wilson K, Belanger HG, Williams R. The Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) multi-centre observational study: Description of study and characteristics of early participants. Brain Inj 2016; 30:1469-1480. [DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2016.1219061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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34
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Pearce AJ, Young JA, Parrington L, Aimers N. Do as I say: contradicting beliefs and attitudes towards sports concussion in Australia. J Sports Sci 2016; 35:1911-1919. [DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1241420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan J. Pearce
- Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Janet A. Young
- Institute for Sport Exercise and Active Living, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lucy Parrington
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicole Aimers
- Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
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35
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Dambinova SA, Maroon JC, Sufrinko AM, Mullins JD, Alexandrova EV, Potapov AA. Functional, Structural, and Neurotoxicity Biomarkers in Integrative Assessment of Concussions. Front Neurol 2016; 7:172. [PMID: 27761129 PMCID: PMC5050199 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Concussion is a complex, heterogeneous process affecting the brain. Accurate assessment and diagnosis and appropriate management of concussion are essential to ensure that athletes do not prematurely return to play or others to work or active military duty, risking re-injury. To date, clinical diagnosis relies primarily on evaluating subjects for functional impairment using instruments that include neurocognitive testing, subjective symptom report, and neurobehavioral assessments, such as balance and vestibular-ocular reflex testing. Structural biomarkers, defined as advanced neuroimaging techniques and biomarkers assessing neurotoxicity and immunoexcitotoxicity, may complement the use of functional biomarkers. We hypothesize that neurotoxicity AMPA, NMDA, and kainite receptor biomarkers might be utilized as a part of comprehensive approach to concussion evaluations, with the goal of increasing diagnostic accuracy and facilitating treatment planning and prognostic assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph C. Maroon
- Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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36
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Shultz SR, McDonald SJ, Vonder Haar C, Meconi A, Vink R, van Donkelaar P, Taneja C, Iverson GL, Christie BR. The potential for animal models to provide insight into mild traumatic brain injury: Translational challenges and strategies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 76:396-414. [PMID: 27659125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common health problem. There is tremendous variability and heterogeneity in human mTBI, including mechanisms of injury, biomechanical forces, injury severity, spatial and temporal pathophysiology, genetic factors, pre-injury vulnerability and resilience factors, and clinical outcomes. Animal models greatly reduce this variability and heterogeneity, and provide a means to study mTBI in a rigorous, controlled, and efficient manner. Rodent models, in particular, are time- and cost-efficient, and they allow researchers to measure morphological, cellular, molecular, and behavioral variables in a single study. However, inter-species differences in anatomy, morphology, metabolism, neurobiology, and lifespan create translational challenges. Although the term "mild" TBI is used often in the pre-clinical literature, clearly defined criteria for mild, moderate, and severe TBI in animal models have not been agreed upon. In this review, we introduce current issues facing the mTBI field, summarize the available research methodologies and previous studies in mTBI animal models, and discuss how a translational research approach may be useful in advancing our understanding and management of mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Cole Vonder Haar
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alicia Meconi
- Division of Medical Sciences, The University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Robert Vink
- Division of Health Sciences, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Paul van Donkelaar
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Chand Taneja
- Division of Medical Sciences, The University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Grant L Iverson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, and MassGeneral Hospital for Children™ Sports Concussion Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, The University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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37
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Casagranda BU, Thurlow PC. The Role of Imaging in Determining Return to Play. Radiol Clin North Am 2016; 54:979-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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38
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39
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Fink AZ, Mogil LB, Lipton ML. Advanced neuroimaging in the clinic: critical appraisal of the evidence base. Br J Radiol 2016; 89:20150753. [PMID: 27074623 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20150753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The shortage of high-quality systematic reviews in the field of radiology limits evidence-based integration of imaging methods into clinical practice and may perpetuate misconceptions regarding the efficacy and appropriateness of imaging techniques for specific applications. Diffusion tensor imaging for patients with mild traumatic brain injury (DTI-mTBI) and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI for patients with glioma (DSC-glioma) are applications of quantitative neuroimaging, which similarly detect manifestations of disease where conventional neuroimaging techniques cannot. We performed a critical appraisal of reviews, based on the current evidence-based medicine methodology, addressing the ability of DTI-mTBI and DSC-glioma to (a) detect brain abnormalities and/or (b) predict clinical outcomes. 23 reviews of DTI-mTBI and 26 reviews of DSC-glioma met criteria for inclusion. All reviews addressed detection of brain abnormalities, whereas 12 DTI-mTBI reviews and 22 DSC-glioma reviews addressed prediction of a clinical outcome. All reviews were assessed using a critical appraisal worksheet consisting of 19 yes/no questions. Reviews were graded according to the total number of positive responses and the 2011 Oxford Centre for evidence-based medicine levels of evidence criteria. Reviews addressing DTI-mTBI detection had moderate quality, while those addressing DSC-glioma were of low quality. Reviews addressing prediction of outcomes for both applications were of low quality. Five DTI-mTBI reviews, but only one review of DSC-glioma met criteria for classification as a meta-analysis/systematic/quantitative review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Z Fink
- 1 The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Lisa B Mogil
- 1 The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,2 SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Michael L Lipton
- 1 The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,3 Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,4 The Dominick P Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,5 Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.,6 Departments of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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40
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Decreased microvascular cerebral blood flow assessed by diffuse correlation spectroscopy after repetitive concussions in mice. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2015; 35:1995-2000. [PMID: 26154866 PMCID: PMC4671120 DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2015.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive concussions are associated with long-term cognitive dysfunction that can be attenuated by increasing the time intervals between concussions; however, biomarkers of the safest rest interval between injuries remain undefined. We hypothesize that deranged cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a candidate biomarker for vulnerability to repetitive concussions. Using a mouse model of human concussion, we examined the effect of single and repetitive concussions on cognition and on an index of CBF (CBFi) measured with diffuse correlation spectroscopy. After a single mild concussion, CBFi was reduced by 35±4% at 4 hours (P<0.01 versus baseline) and returned to preinjury levels by 24 hours. After five concussions spaced 1 day apart, CBFi was also reduced from preinjury levels 4 hours after each concussion but had returned to preinjury levels by 72 hours after the final concussion. Interestingly, in this repetitive concussion model, lower CBFi values measured both preinjury and 4 hours after the third concussion were associated with worse performance on the Morris water maze assessed 72 hours after the final concussion. We conclude that low CBFi measured either before or early on in the evolution of injury caused by repetitive concussions could be a useful predictor of cognitive outcome.
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41
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Major BP, Rogers MA, Pearce AJ. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation to quantify electrophysiological changes following concussive brain injury: A systematic review. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2015; 42:394-405. [DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan P Major
- School of Psychology; Deakin University; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Mark A Rogers
- School of Psychology; Deakin University; Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Alan J Pearce
- School of Psychology; Deakin University; Melbourne Victoria Australia
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Cook A, King H, Polikandriotis JA. Where do we go from here? An inside look into the development of Georgia's Youth Concussion Law. THE JOURNAL OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS : A JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LAW, MEDICINE & ETHICS 2014; 42:284-289. [PMID: 25264086 DOI: 10.1111/jlme.12145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Currently, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have youth concussion laws based on the core principals of the 2009 Lystedt Law of Washington State. On April 23, 2013, the state of Georgia signed into law House Bill 284, "The Return to Play Act of 2013" and became one of the last states to pass youth concussion legislation. This Act became effective on January 1, 2014. The purpose of this report is to highlight the legislative process of enacting Georgia House Bill 284 and compare it to the legislation of other states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Cook
- Government Affairs Coordinator for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
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Second time around: Corticospinal responses following repeated sports-related concussions within the same season. A transcranial magnetic stimulation study. JOURNAL OF ACUTE DISEASE 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s2221-6189(14)60042-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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