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A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes

A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes

Published on: December 8, 2014

Olfaction in athletes with concussion.

Vanessa Charland-Verville¹, Maryse Lassonde, Johannes Frasnelli

¹Centre de Recherche en Neuropsycholgie et Cognition, University of Montreal, Canada.

American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy

|May 31, 2012

Summary

Mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), or concussions, may impair smell function over time. Athletes with longer recovery periods after concussions showed weaker odor identification, suggesting a potential degenerative effect.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Sports Medicine
Otolaryngology

Background:

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often cause olfactory dysfunction.
The impact of mild TBIs, such as sports-related concussions, on smell remains unclear.
This study investigates olfactory function in athletes with a history of concussion.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate olfactory function in athletes who have experienced one or more sport-related concussions.
To determine the relationship between concussion history and olfactory performance.
To assess the potential long-term effects of mild TBI on smell.

Main Methods:

Cross-sectional study involving university football players with and without concussion history.
Olfactory function assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks test.
Measurements included odor discrimination, identification, detection thresholds, intensity, and pleasantness.

Main Results:

No significant effect of the number of concussions on olfactory function was observed.
Athletes with a longer time since their last concussion performed worse on odor identification.
A negative linear correlation was found between odor identification scores and time elapsed since the last concussion.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest a potential degenerative impact of concussions on olfactory function over time.
Delayed recovery from concussion may be associated with poorer smell identification.
Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms of concussion-related olfactory dysfunction.