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Possible lingering effects of multiple past concussions.
Grant L Iverson1, Ruben J Echemendia, Amanda K Lamarre
1Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2A1.
Rehabilitation Research and Practice
|May 3, 2012
Summary
Athletes with multiple concussions may experience lingering verbal memory deficits, according to this study on neurocognitive testing. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in athletes with a history of three or more concussions.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Neuropsychology
Background:
- The cumulative effects of multiple concussions in athletes remain unclear.
- Existing literature presents mixed findings regarding long-term impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if athletes with a history of three or more concussions exhibit poorer performance on neuropsychological tests.
- To assess if multiple concussions are associated with increased subjective symptoms during baseline evaluations.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study utilizing an archival database of 786 male athletes.
- Matched 26 athletes with 3+ concussions against controls with no concussion history.
- Neuropsychological testing was conducted using the ImPACT computerized battery.
Main Results:
- Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed no overall significant effect between groups.
- Exploratory univariate ANOVAs revealed a significant effect specifically for the Verbal Memory composite score.
- No significant differences were found in Visual Memory, Reaction Time, or Processing Speed.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest potential lingering verbal memory deficits in some athletes with multiple concussions.
- The results are inconclusive but indicate a possible area for concern.
- Further investigation is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.
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