Anticipating Extended Recovery Periods from Concussions and the Potential for Multiple Future Impact Injuries
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A significant research project, funded by a $10 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), is underway at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The project, led by Professor Jeffrey Bazarian, is focused on understanding the impact of concussions on children.
The research is centred around the glymphatic system, the brain's waste removal process. It has been discovered that when head hits happen too close together, this system can become overwhelmed, potentially leading to permanent damage. This is a particular concern for children, as their brains are still developing.
Professor Bazarian is investigating the potential of blood-based biomarkers, specifically UCH-L1 and GFAP proteins, to monitor brain health and detect subtle brain injury before it progresses to an irreversible stage. The study will seek to identify a set of biomarkers that could predict which kids will develop persistent symptoms after a concussion.
Kian Merchant-Borna, research faculty in Emergency Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, has been managing a clinical trial for a blood test called the Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator®. Merchant-Borna and Bazarian were also awarded a U.S. patent for an algorithm to assess the risk of changes and injury to brain white matter following repeated exposure to head impacts.
The study will focus on children between the ages of 11 and 18, a group particularly vulnerable to sports-related concussions. In fact, approximately 3 million people in the United States are diagnosed with a concussion each year, with the majority of these cases being sports-related.
While it is possible to identify a group of children whose concussion symptoms persist for three months or longer, specific large-scale studies especially in children are still limited. Further research, including studies on target groups like this, is needed to evaluate treatments effectively.
The presence of these proteins in the blood could indicate biochemical evidence of cellular disruption, even without concussion symptoms. This is crucial, as for a third of those diagnosed, it can take three or more months to recover from a concussion.
The NFL is also involved in the collection of data on head hits. They are expanding their data collection by putting sensors in the mouth guards of players at four major universities. The same high-tech mouth guard sensors are currently used by 10 NFL teams.
The ultimate goal of this research is to develop an algorithm to help with the diagnosis and treatment of concussed kids. By identifying those at risk of persistent symptoms, early intervention can be provided, potentially speeding up recovery times and reducing the risk of long-term damage.
It is important to note that CTE, a neurodegenerative disorder that causes debilitating symptoms and, in many cases, premature death, can only be diagnosed through an autopsy. Repeated head hits, especially in individuals with occupations or activities that put them at risk, can increase the potential for developing CTE. However, this study is focused on concussions and their immediate effects, rather than long-term neurodegenerative disorders.
This algorithm was developed as part of their ongoing research into the effects of repeated head hits on athletes, particularly football players. By focusing on children, this research aims to address a gap in the current understanding of concussions and their impact on young people.
