Concussions Flashcards
what is a concussion?
a biomechanical force transmitted to the head (direct or indirect) that causes chemical changes in the brain
does a concussion result in an extended period of unconsciousness, amnesia, or other significant neurologic signs of severe brain injury generally?
nope
in more severe concussions, the mechanical force of the blow to the head can cause what?
stretching and permanent damage to the brain cells
t/f: though often referred to as a mild TBI, the effects of a concussion can be serious and life altering
true
what concussion population will tend to minimize their symptoms and pain?
service men and women
if a concussion pt is a service man or woman, what should we ask them?
if they were deployed, when they were deployed, and if they have been exposed to glass bc of risk for coup and contracoup injury
T/f: mTBI is primarily a fxnal injury of the CNS due to metabolic dysfxn, NT disturbance, and microstructural changes
true
does mTBI involve large structural brain changes?
nope, the changes are fxnal and maybe microstructural
does a TBI or mTBI involve structural brain changes?
TBI
what are microstructural changes?
changes at the cellular and axonal level
what is the typical GCS for a concussion pt?
13-15 (high fxning)
what must we ask about in concussion to help inform the prognosis?
the MOI
why is knowing the MOI of a concussion important in determining the prognosis?
bc some MOIs are more serious than others
t/f: a coup-contracoup injury involves linear forces
true
what are the general 3 MOIs of concussion?
coup-contracoup injury
rotational injury
stretching/shearing of axons
what MOI of concussion predicts the worst prognosis?
rotational injury
is linear or rotational MOI a better indicator of traumatic injury?
rotational
the worst concussion injuries occur with ____ injuries
rotational
how much G force is produced in a concussion? in a football impact?
concussion=100G
football impact=150G
(for reference, 3G of a space shuttle are considered significant forces and walking produces just 1 G)
does concussion generally cause temporary or permanent alteration of central regulatory systems?
temporary
what happens initially following any brain injury?
temporary alteration of central regulatory systems bc the brain shuts down for a quick second
what happens following the temporary alteration of central regulatory systems in a concussion?
rapid dynamic changes in NTs, ions, glucose metabolism, and cerebral blood flow
following a concussion, does blood flow increase or decrease? does brain energy demand increase or decrease?
blood flow decreased, but energy demand increases
what is the traumatic metabolic cascade?
the rapid dynamic changes in the brain that occur following a concussion