Cerebral Blood Flow Alterations in Acute Sport-Related Concussion. J Neurotrauma 2016 Jul 01;33(13):1227-36
Date
09/29/2015Pubmed ID
26414315Pubmed Central ID
PMC4931342DOI
10.1089/neu.2015.4072Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84975770260 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 141 CitationsAbstract
Sport-related concussion (SRC) is a major health problem, affecting millions of athletes each year. While the clinical effects of SRC (e.g., symptoms and functional impairments) typically resolve within several days, increasing evidence suggests persistent neurophysiological abnormalities beyond the point of clinical recovery after injury. This study aimed to evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes in acute SRC, as measured using advanced arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We compared CBF maps assessed in 18 concussed football players (age, 17.8 ± 1.5 years) obtained within 24 h and at 8 days after injury with a control group of 19 matched non-concussed football players. While the control group did not show any changes in CBF between the two time-points, concussed athletes demonstrated a significant decrease in CBF at 8 days relative to within 24 h. Scores on the clinical symptom (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3, SCAT3) and cognitive measures (Standardized Assessment of Concussion [SAC]) demonstrated significant impairment (vs. pre-season baseline levels) at 24 h (SCAT, p < 0.0001; SAC, p < 0.01) but returned to baseline levels at 8 days. Two additional computerized neurocognitive tests, the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics and Immediate Post-Concussion and Cognitive Testing, showed a similar pattern of changes. These data support the hypothesis that physiological changes persist beyond the point of clinical recovery after SRC. Our results also indicate that advanced ASL MRI methods might be useful for detecting and tracking the longitudinal course of underlying neurophysiological recovery from concussion.
Author List
Wang Y, Nelson LD, LaRoche AA, Pfaller AY, Nencka AS, Koch KM, McCrea MAAuthors
Kevin M. Koch PhD Adjunct Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of WisconsinMichael McCrea PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Lindsay D. Nelson PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Andrew S. Nencka PhD Center Director, Associate Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Yang Wang MD Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Athletic Injuries
Brain Concussion
Cerebrovascular Circulation
Football
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Spin Labels
Young Adult
