The kids are not alright for up to a year after concussion

Teenagers who suffer a concussion are more vulnerable than adults or children to its after-effects, according to a new study in the journal Brain Injury. The results suggest that teenagers may need up to a year to fully recover from a concussion, further discrediting the common conception that a teenage athlete can get up and play through a concussion without any adverse consequences.

For this study, researchers led by a neuropsychologist at the University of Montreal examined 96 male athletes, half of whom had suffered a concussion three to nine months beforehand; the Post-Concussion Symptoms Scale had initially been used to assess the athletes injuries. These athletes were sorted by age, with equally sized groups of adults, children aged 9 to 12, and teenagers aged 13 to 16. By examining all participants, first via the standard neuropsychological test used by the U.S. National Hockey League, then using more sensitive electrophysical evaluations, the researchers discovered that the teenagers had been affected differently by their concussions.

The electrophysical evaluations measure working memory, attention, and inhibition. And, while all of the athletes who had experienced a concussion tested more poorly than those who hadn t suffered such an injury, the teenagers in particular showed problems with short-term, or working, memory that lasted from six months to a year. One explanation for the disparity is that the adolescent brain, specifically the frontal lobe areas affected by concussion, is rapidly developing, which renders it more vulnerable to injury.

While the researchers emphasized the importance of preventive measures, such as wearing a helmet correctly and avoiding potentially violent situations, they acknowledge that it s impossible for an active child to completely avoid all risks. Thus, for teenagers who may have suffered a concussion, they stress the importance of both a careful initial examination as a basis for comparison, as well as a series of follow-up assessments. The symptoms immediately following the injury are not a definitive indicator of whether a concussion actually occurred, let alone a predictor of how severe the concussion was.

It s clear that a teenager who s suffered a head injury should be examined by a doctor who is familiar with the initial and follow-up assessments, says ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross. If anything, the results of this study should be impressed upon anyone who s involved with kids athletics. Removal from further contact, and follow-up, seems to be key.