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A Neuroscientific Approach to the Examination of Concussions in Student-Athletes
Published on: December 8, 2014
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Differences in Volatile Organic Compounds Between Concussed and Non-concussed Division I Athletes.
Allyn Abadie1, Ian McKeag2, Dan Springer3
1Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, USA.
Cureus
|June 28, 2024
Summary
Breath acetone levels can help diagnose concussions in athletes. Significant differences were found in concussed athletes compared to controls, suggesting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as potential biomarkers for concussion injury.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
Background:
- Concussion diagnosis is challenging due to variable symptoms.
- Physiologic measurements, like biomarkers, may offer more reliable injury assessment.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as breath acetone, indicate energy substrate utilization changes post-concussion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in VOCs between concussed and non-concussed athletes.
- To explore VOC changes during initial injury and later recovery stages.
- To assess breath acetone as a potential biomarker for concussion.
Main Methods:
- Enrolled six non-concussed athletes as controls and six concussed athletes.
- Measured breath acetone, heart rate, and anthropometrics at rest and during exercise challenges.
- Utilized paired t-tests for individual recovery comparisons and visual graphs for group analysis.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant differences in breath acetone between concussed and control participants in the first week post-injury (P=0.017).
- Significant differences in breath acetone when concussed participants were compared to their own baseline during recovery (P=0.028).
- No significant differences in breath acetone during exercise between non-concussed and recovered concussed athletes.
Conclusions:
- Breath acetone shows potential as a diagnostic marker for concussion.
- Further longitudinal research with larger cohorts is needed.
- Advanced equipment to measure a wider range of VOCs is recommended for future studies.
