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Evidence-based review of sport-related concussion: basic science
P McCrory1, K M Johnston, N G Mohtadi
1Centre for Sports Medicine Research & Education, and Brain Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. pmccrory@compuserve.com
Summary
Sport-related concussive brain injury is a functional brain injury, not structural. Current understanding of concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, remains incomplete despite recent scientific study.
Area of Science:
- Sports medicine
- Neurology
- Traumatic brain injury
Background:
- Historically, sport-related concussive brain injury understanding relied on severe trauma models.
- This approach is now considered unsatisfactory for explaining concussion's clinical features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence base for sport-related concussive brain injury.
- To differentiate concussion from severe brain trauma based on pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific studies on sport-related concussive brain injury.
- Analysis of pathophysiological understanding and clinical features.
Main Results:
- Sport-related concussion is primarily a functional brain injury.
- Clinical features do not typically manifest as structural or neuropathological damage.
Conclusions:
- The pathophysiology of concussion is distinct from severe brain trauma.
- Current understanding of sport-related concussion is incomplete and requires further scientific investigation.