Autonomic dysfunction following mild traumatic brain injury

Between 1.6 and 3.6 million concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), occur each year, nearly half of which go unreported and untreated. Despite the high incidence, practitioners currently lack both objective gold-standard diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatments to enable optimal care of concussed individuals.

This article aims to review recent research on the topic, emphasizing the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in concussion. Current data suggests that ANS dysfunction is often evident following mTBI and accounts for many of the symptoms commonly seen in concussed patients. This link suggests several objective biomarkers that could be used to diagnose and monitor recovery following mTBI. Contrary to conventional wisdom, symptoms and biomarkers of ANS function improve when individuals are exposed to a program of graded exercise as treatment within the first week following concussion.

ANS dysfunction contributes to concussion symptomatology, an effect likely mediated through diffuse axonal injury, including brainstem structures and pathways mediating normal cerebrovascular autoregulation. Exercise, which enhances ANS function, is a well tolerated and effective method of treatment for both acute concussion patients and those suffering from postconcussion syndrome (PCS). The relationship between the ANS, exercise, and concussion creates an opportunity for the identification of objective biomarkers that can facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of mTBI.