Persistent post-concussion syndrome: pathophysiology, diagnosis, current and evolving treatment strategies

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Traumatic Brain Injury Research
• Clinical Neurology

Background:

• Persistent post-concussion syndrome (PCS) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) poses a significant global health challenge impacting quality of life.
• Current treatments for chronic PCS show limited success in addressing both symptoms and underlying pathophysiology, highlighting a critical need for advanced interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of PCS.
• To evaluate epidemiological trends, neuroimaging findings, biomarkers, and emerging therapeutic modalities for PCS.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on PCS pathophysiology and diagnostics.
• Evaluation of epidemiological data and advanced neuroimaging findings.
• Assessment of emerging treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neuromodulation, and biomarker-guided therapies.

Main Results:

• Recent evidence suggests a shift towards personalized, multimodal treatment strategies for PCS.
• Integration of targeted physiological interventions with symptom-specific therapies is recommended.
• Biomarker-guided approaches and neuromodulation show promise for PCS management.

Conclusions:

• Future PCS management should prioritize early identification of at-risk individuals.
• Evidence-based protocols addressing neurobiological and psychological aspects are crucial for recovery.
• Personalized, multimodal treatment represents a paradigm shift in managing persistent post-concussion syndrome.