Brain Injury

Question 1

What are the three elements of the Lystedt Law?

Answer 1

1. Athletes, parents and coaches must be educated about concussions.
2. If an athlete is suspected of having a concussion, they must be sat out
3. Licensed health care professional must clear the athlete to return to play

Question 2

What is the prevalence of concussions of each gender vs. the other gender?

Answer 2

More males have them simply because more males are participating in sports, but females have twice the rate of concussions compared to males.

Question 3

Two symptoms that males complain of when they get a concussion?

Answer 3

Cognitive defects and amnesia

Question 4

2 symptoms females complain of when they get a concussion?

Answer 4

Noise sensitivity and drowsiness

Question 5

What is the age group with the highest risk for TBI?

Answer 5

Males aged 0-4

Question 6

What is the pathophysiology of a concussion she wants us to know and what image allows us to see the lesion?

Answer 6

1. Diffuse axonal injury of the white matter tracts

2. 3D diffusion tensor image

Question 7

What are the two pathways affected by a concussion?

Answer 7

Dopamine and serotonin

Question 8

5 functions of the dopamine system that are affected by a concussion and manifest symptoms?

Answer 8

Pleasure, reward, motor, compulsion, and persevere

Question 9

4 functions of the serotonin system that are affected and manifest symptoms from a concussion?

Answer 9

Mood, memory, sleep, and cognition

Question 10

3 cognitive deficits in CTE?

Answer 10

Impaired attention, memory, and decreased executive function

Question 11

What is the most frequently reported behavioral sequelae of a concussion?

Answer 11

Depression

Question 12

What are the 4 situations where we want an immediate image of the brain and what is the image modality?

Answer 12

CT

1. Prolonged loss of consciousness, so like greater than 60 seconds
2. Seizure after a concussion
3. Major neuro deficits, especially motor
4. Super lethargic, worsening of symptoms

Question 13

What is the only known effective treatment for a concussion?

Answer 13

Rest

Question 14

What are the 6 stages of the concussion protocol that allow an athlete to return to play?

Answer 14

1. Cognitive and physical rest until asymptomatic
2. Light aerobic exercise
3. Sport specific aerobic exercise
4. Noncontact drills
5. Full contact training
6. Game play

Question 15

How long does each stage need to last for and what is a must to progress to the next stage?

Answer 15

Must be asymptomatic. 24 hours for each stage.

Question 16

What are 3 options if symptoms return?

Answer 16

Rest for a couple days. Return to a previous stage. Return to stage 1.

Question 17

What is post concussion syndrome?

Answer 17

Concussion symptoms lasting longer than 3 months post injury

Question 18

What is the one big time complication with a concussion she talked about and what is the gist of it?

Answer 18

2nd impact syndrome. Essentially there is a vulnerable period during recovery that if a second impact injury happens, no good.