Mild traumatic brain injury in sports: neuropsychology's contribution to a developing field

Mild traumatic brain injuries are common at all levels of athletic competition. Although once considered a "routine part of the game," a significant amount of attention has recently been placed on these injuries at the professional, college, and high school levels. This paper reviews the epidemiology of sports-related brain injuries, the pathophysiology of the injuries, and the role of neuropsychology in this newly emerging area. Issues related to the adequacy of neuropsychological test instruments and approaches are discussed in light of future directions for research.