It’s that time of year – time to get ready for a new school year and a new sports season! Pre-season testing of symptoms, cognition, and balance often utilizes multiple tests to determine a “baseline” to which athletes’ performances can later be compared if they are suspected to sustain a concussion throughout the season. New research demonstrates the…
A recent study of former NFL players revealed that leaving their sport involuntarily and without a transition plan was associated with greater severity of current depressive and anxiety symptoms. Further researcher is needed to understand how transition-related factors influence functioning in athletes discontinuing participation from sport at lower levels of play (high school, college, etc.).…
Welcome to our first episode of Talking Heads: Fresh Topics in Sports Neuropsychology, the official podcast of the Sports Neuropsychology Society! In this episode, hosts Dr. Lindy Fields and Dr. Kate Higgins talk with sports neuropsychologist and concussion expert, Dr. Beth Pieroth, about networking, marketing, and developing your identity as a sports neuropsychologist. You won’t…
This study looked at the differences in ImPACT baseline cognitive composites and symptom scores in athletes with self-reported Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Previous research has shown that other neurodevelopmental groups (ADHD, learning disabilities (LD), and ADHD+LD) demonstrate differences in both cognitive composites (lower memory composites and slower speed composites) and symptoms scores (overall higher symptom…
Summary: The authors analyzed self-report questionnaire data from over 900 former NFL players (ages 50+). Their results revealed higher prevalence of self-reported MCI and dementia compared to the general population, with self-reported impairment associated with various health-related (reported concussions, depression, anxiety, recent pain, sleep apnea) and demographics-related (age, race) factors. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34593716/ Walton, S. R., Brett,…
Summary: The authors studied 333 former NFL players over a 19-year period to determine factors associated with severity and trajectory of depressive symptoms. Their data revealed an association between concussion history and severity of depression, as well as showed that declining physical functioning was associated with increases in depressive symptoms longitudinally. https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/early/2021/10/17/jnnp-2021-326602 Brett B. L., Kerr Z. Y., Walton S.…
Registration is now open for our August 26th Virtual Workshop – Sports Concussion: Diagnosis, Management, and Long-Term Risk! 3.5 CE CreditsThursday, August 26, 2021 (US) | Friday, August, 27, 2021 (AUS)5:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET (US) | 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM (AUS) View or download the full information flyer : http://www.sportsneuropsychologysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CCN_NAN_SNS_EventFlyer2021-1.pdf Please see…
This is the latest update to the Team Physician consensus statement on sport-related concussion developed by the Team Physician Consensus Conference (previous drafts published in 2006 and 2011). The article delineates “essential” information that a team physician must understand and implement and “desirable” information that are considered best-practice in ideal settings. The article then briefly…
A third of children and adolescents develop a mental health problem after a concussion, which could persist for several years post-injury, according to a new literature review. The research, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found mental health should be evaluated as part of standard…
This is the first study to objectively document self-paced physical and cognitive activity post-concussion among youth suggests they may be able to engage in physical and cognitive activity as soon as tolerated post-concussion. The study, published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, found that self-paced physical and cognitive activity during the first week after sustaining…