Lack of sleep, pre-existing mental health conditions, and increased stress appear to be key symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, a new study reports.
Smaller brain volumes in the cingulate cortex, insular, and superior frontal cortex predict an increased likelihood of developing PTSD three months after brain injury.
Altered microRNA levels in a person's saliva can help determine if they have experienced a recent concussion. The new saliva test is a cheap and non-invasive method for the identification of concussion.
Concussions could have lasting implications on sleep, a new study reports. People who experienced concussion reported sleep disturbances, daytime drowsiness, and fatigue that were persistent months after their injury.
Researchers identified a specific neural network that positively responds to melatonin following concussion in children. Results suggest melatonin may help compensate for normal brain function that has been interrupted due to injury caused by concussion and helps prevent sleep disturbances.
People who suffer repetitive head injuries experience increased symptoms of depression and a greater risk of cognitive decline as they age. Those with a history of repetitive head injuries and TBI that resulted in a loss of consciousness reported higher levels of mental health problems, including depressive symptoms.
Even without a concussion, repetitive impacts experienced by those who play contact sports have clear effects on the brain. Rugby players who reported no concussions had alterations in the microstructure of the brain, specifically in the brain stem. Alterations in the functional organization of the brain were also discovered in MRI images of those who played contact sports.
Varsity football players who experienced concussions performed well on cognitive tests but showed strong impairments in tests related to inhibitory control. Many reported problems with the ability to suppress thoughts, actions, and feelings following concussions. The findings shed light on the long-term implications of sports-related concussions.
Growth hormone replacement therapy for those with mild traumatic brain injury helped improve cognition, anxiety, and depression while reducing fatigue and sleep disturbances.
Alzheimer's patients who used antipsychotics had a 29% increased risk of head injury and a 22% higher risk of TBI compared to others with the neurodegenerative disease who did not use the medications.
Daily, early morning exposure to blue light therapy can help the healing process in people suffering from mild traumatic brain injury.
Male fruit flies fed a ketone supplemented diet expressed reduced levels of aggression following concussion than those who were not exposed to the dietary intervention.
