Neuroscience
The NewsHour reported on Nov. 26, 2007 about a test that measures cognitive impairment after concussion, and is more accurate than the more common "how do you feel" assessments that are done before sending athletes back onto the field following concussion.
Betty Ann Bowser reports on "ImPACT, which stands for immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive testing, a sophisticated computer program that measures function in all four lobes of the brain. It is the first diagnostic tool developed that can map out how a concussion has caused impairment." She interviews Mickey Collins, neuropsychologist and assistant director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, who says that ImPACT "... looks at one's ability to remember information. It looks at one's reaction time. It looks at one's ability to multitask, to do two things at once. It looks at one's ability to really maintain attention and concentration." He also comments:
following a recent game. He played again the next week, but ... was he really ok to play? Here's more about it, according to the Canadian Press (Nov. 15):
Wayne Chrebet, terrific (retired) receiver for the Jets retired because of postconcussion syndrome two years ago. The Times reported on Dec. 22 that "Mr. Chrebet, 34, has recently acknowledged he has bouts of depression and memory problems so severe that he cannot make the routine drive from his New Jersey home to his Long Island restaurant without a global-positioning system." They refer to an interview with Chrebet published in the Star Ledger in early September:
For More Information
- ""concussion' Lies" - From Slate
A good read from Slate about the movie, "Concussion": Concussion Lies by Daniel Engber Slate 21 December 2015 Concussion Lies (link) Don't mistake drama for truth, fiction for fact, excellent acting for documentary accuracy. And, in the bigger picture,...
- Neuropsychology Abstract Of The Day: Sports-related Concussion
Role of Neuropsychologists in the Evaluation and Management of Sport-related Concussion: An Inter-Organization Position Statement Clin Neuropsychol. 2011 Nov; 25(8): 1289-1294 Echemendia RJ, Iverson GL, McCrea M, Broshek DK, Gioia GA, Sautter SW, Macciocchi...
- Concussion Took Kit For High School Coaches
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has put together a "tool kit" of material and resources for high school coaches called Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports, which is accessible at this link on the CDC website. The material includes content...
- Concussion Awareness Research
Today's News & Observer had an article about the UNC football team, a body temperature pill, heat-related injuries, and concussions. Combine football with science, and throw in a brain injury ... and I'm hooked. This CorTemp capsule allows...
- Dr. Grady Weighs In On Michael Vick Concussion Testing
Penn Neurosurgery chair, M. Sean Grady, MD, weighs in on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback post-concussion testing. In an interview with 6ABC Action News, Dr. Grady discusses the results of Michael Vick’s Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive...
Neuroscience
Test to Assess Concussion
The NewsHour reported on Nov. 26, 2007 about a test that measures cognitive impairment after concussion, and is more accurate than the more common "how do you feel" assessments that are done before sending athletes back onto the field following concussion.
Betty Ann Bowser reports on "ImPACT, which stands for immediate post-concussion assessment and cognitive testing, a sophisticated computer program that measures function in all four lobes of the brain. It is the first diagnostic tool developed that can map out how a concussion has caused impairment." She interviews Mickey Collins, neuropsychologist and assistant director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, who says that ImPACT "... looks at one's ability to remember information. It looks at one's reaction time. It looks at one's ability to multitask, to do two things at once. It looks at one's ability to really maintain attention and concentration." He also comments:
You can't manage concussion with a cookbook. The minute I hear a clinician say, "You've had a concussion, sit one week out, and you'll be fine," is the minute I realize the clinician has no idea what they're talking about.One of my favorite Giants, Antonio Pierce, was diagnosed with concussion
following a recent game. He played again the next week, but ... was he really ok to play? Here's more about it, according to the Canadian Press (Nov. 15): "Antonio Pierce vowed to play for the New York Giants against the Detroit Lions despite nagging 'little headaches' from a concussion suffered last weekend.I can't find any mention of it since then, and he's played all games, so I guess he's ok ... but after hearing more about concussion from the NewsHour, and knowing what happens to many retired NFL folks ... I worry.
" 'If I ain't totally broke and I can play and run, I should be out there, and I think I will be,' Pierce said Thursday after missing his second straight day of practice for Sunday's game in Detroit." [article no longer available online]
Wayne Chrebet, terrific (retired) receiver for the Jets retired because of postconcussion syndrome two years ago. The Times reported on Dec. 22 that "Mr. Chrebet, 34, has recently acknowledged he has bouts of depression and memory problems so severe that he cannot make the routine drive from his New Jersey home to his Long Island restaurant without a global-positioning system." They refer to an interview with Chrebet published in the Star Ledger in early September:
"Six documented concussions - in all probability, he suffered twice as many in his career - forced Chrebet, the sure-handed and fearless wide receiver, into retirement after the 2005 season. Today, the migraines and darkness still stalk him, sneaking up from behind like a cheap-shotting cornerback."I'd like to see more care taken to diagnose concussion on the field and more caution when sending folks back in to play. Moral question: should I stop watching football because it's so potentially dangerous to the players' brains? [sigh]
For More Information
- Bowser, Betty Ann. New Research Raises Questions on How to Treat Concussion 'Epidemic'. NewsHour, November 26, 2007. Discussion & links.
- DiCaro, Martin. Concussions - Part 2. Posted Nov 17, 2007. Another story at scout.com about the Jets and others on concussion.
- ImPACT test Web site.
- Manahan, Kevin. Jets Great Chrebet Ready to Say Goodbye. New Jersey Star Ledger online, September 19, 2007. Partial story online for free; full-text available @ your library.
- Schwarz, Alan. For Jets, Silence on Concussions Signals Unease New York Times, December 22, 2007.
- ""concussion' Lies" - From Slate
A good read from Slate about the movie, "Concussion": Concussion Lies by Daniel Engber Slate 21 December 2015 Concussion Lies (link) Don't mistake drama for truth, fiction for fact, excellent acting for documentary accuracy. And, in the bigger picture,...
- Neuropsychology Abstract Of The Day: Sports-related Concussion
Role of Neuropsychologists in the Evaluation and Management of Sport-related Concussion: An Inter-Organization Position Statement Clin Neuropsychol. 2011 Nov; 25(8): 1289-1294 Echemendia RJ, Iverson GL, McCrea M, Broshek DK, Gioia GA, Sautter SW, Macciocchi...
- Concussion Took Kit For High School Coaches
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has put together a "tool kit" of material and resources for high school coaches called Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports, which is accessible at this link on the CDC website. The material includes content...
- Concussion Awareness Research
Today's News & Observer had an article about the UNC football team, a body temperature pill, heat-related injuries, and concussions. Combine football with science, and throw in a brain injury ... and I'm hooked. This CorTemp capsule allows...
- Dr. Grady Weighs In On Michael Vick Concussion Testing
Penn Neurosurgery chair, M. Sean Grady, MD, weighs in on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback post-concussion testing. In an interview with 6ABC Action News, Dr. Grady discusses the results of Michael Vick’s Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive...