MRI illuminates changes in brain microstructure after concussion
Considering the growing concern about concussions in youth sports, recent research examined how advanced MRI can be used to better understand how brain injuries can result in neurobiological changes that impact clinical recovery.
The study was published online Aug. 24 in Scientific Reports.
Researchers used functional MRI to examine 54 athletes—27 who had recent concussions and 27 matched control subjects. The average age was 20.1 and 51.8 percent were female. Diffusion tensor imaging was also used to measure fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of white matter. Resting-state functional MRI was used to measure global functional connectivity.
Patients were scanned within a week of injury and again when they were cleared to return to play (RTP). The evidence showed significant altered microstructures in the brain at injury and RTP. Concussed brains showed decreased FA and elevated MD. MRI also showed elevated global functional connectivity.
“These findings significantly extend our understanding of the pathophysiology of concussion, and help to motivate future work investigating brain changes relative to the time of symptom resolution,” wrote Nathan Churchill, with the neuroscience research program at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, and colleagues. “Ultimately, pursuing this avenue of neuroimaging research may lead to refinements in concussion management strategies to minimize the potential risk of re-injury for athletes recovering from concussion.”
The study is available for free in full.
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.