Steady-State Visual-Evoked Potentials as a Biomarker for Concussion: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Current sports-related concussion (SRC) assessment tools lack objectivity and portability.
• Limitations hinder timely assessment at the injury site.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a portable system for SRC assessment using steady-state visual-evoked potentials (SSVEPs).
• To evaluate the efficacy of SSVEPs as a point-of-care diagnostic aid for concussion.

Main Methods:

• A smartphone-based system delivered a 15-Hz flicker stimulus, with EEG recording SSVEP signals.
• Sixty-five male amateur rugby players were assessed, categorized into healthy, concussed, and recovered groups.
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) quantified SSVEP response, with analysis of baseline, post-injury, and post-recovery data.

Main Results:

• Concussed players exhibited significantly lower SSVEP SNR [2.20 (2.04-2.38)] compared to their baseline [4.54 (3.79-5.10)].
• Recovered players showed SSVEP SNR [4.82 (4.13-5.18)] not significantly different from their baseline.
• Baseline SSVEP SNR did not differ between players who later sustained a concussion and those who did not.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to demonstrate SSVEP differences in amateur rugby players with and without concussion.
• SSVEPs show potential as a portable, objective tool for point-of-care concussion assessment and management.
• SSVEP attenuation is a reliable indicator of concussion, with responses normalizing upon clinical recovery.