Imaging findings after acute sport-related concussion in American football players: A systematic review

Publication date: Available online 26 November 2018Source: Journal of Clinical NeuroscienceAuthor(s): Steve H. Monk, Andrew D. Legarreta, Paul Kirby, Benjamin L. Brett, Aaron M. Yengo-Kahn, Aashim Bhatia, Gary S. Solomon, Scott L. ZuckermanAbstractSport-related concussion (SRC) has emerged as a major public health problem. The results of brain imaging studies following SRC have raised questions about long-term neurologic health, but the clinical implications of these findings remain unknown. A systematic review of brain imaging findings after SRC was performed utilizing the following inclusion criteria: football players, brain imaging within 6 months of SRC, and sample size>5. Studies were assessed for: 1) methodology, 2) imaging outcomes, and 3) number of positive statistical comparisons. Imaging was classified as immediate (≤1 week post-injury) or subacute (>1 week to 6 months post-injury). Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Eight of the 11 studies conducted a total of 809 comparisons of brain function, of which 149 (18%) were statistically significant. Nine of the 11 studies (82%) reported positive immediate findings, but were more likely to be subject to recall bias (86% vs. 0%) and to lack baseline advanced brain imaging (78% vs. 50%) than negative studies. Only 3 of 9 studies that reported subacute findings (33%) reported positive results, and these positive studies were also more likely to be subject to recall bias (100% vs. 40%) and to lack baseline adva...
Source: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research