State legislation for school sports concussion policies are gaining rapid approval. Over 30 states will have enacted laws regarding school sports concussion policies by the end of 2011, with many other states planning to pass sports concussion legislation in 2012. School administrators and athletic departments are responsible for implementing the intent of these laws, which… Read More »
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that shows a marked increase in hospital emergency room for sports related concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), especially for young males aged 10 to 19 years. The study, which looked at ER visits over 2001 to 2009, showed a 60% total increase for… Read More »
A new study published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation points to some interesting work being done using portable EEG systems to monitor sports concussions. The study analyzed results from almost 400 high school and collegiate football players during the 2008-2009 playing season in Milwaukee, WI. A total of 28 players sustained concussions during… Read More »
Neuroscience researchers from Boston University recently confirmed that former NFL player Dave Duerson suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a serious degenerative brain disease. Duerson committed suicide in February, leaving behind a note (and sending a text message) for his family, asking that his brain be donated to the CSTE Brain Bank, also known as… Read More »
A recent initiative from the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force highlights an important issue affecting millions of Americans living with traumatic brain injury (TBI): the lack of long-term TBI rehabilitation care for most people, including those with health care insurance. A letter from the office of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius… Read More »
This week I had the opportunity to ask Dr. David Darby, Chief Medical Officer of CogState, for his views on the hot topic of concussions in school sports. Several states are in the process of enacting legislation that call for formal evaluation of an athlete’s cognitive health after a concussion on the playing field. The… Read More »