New study finds rest is critical after concussions: 5 takeaways

Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Washington, D.C.-based Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists concluded rest is crucial for brains following concussions. The researchers tested their theory on mice, exposing them to repetitive, mild concussive impacts.

American Journal of Pathology published the study in its March issue.

 

Here are five takeaways:

 

1. Multiple days rest permits the brain to reset neural networks and repair short-term injury.

 

2. The researchers also discovered repeated mild concussions with one day rest in between may result in damage and brain inflammation lasting at least one year post injury.

 

3. The study found mice with one concussion lost 10 percent to 15 percent of neuronal connections in their brains, but experienced no inflammation or cell death. After three days of rest, the neuronal connections were restored.

 

4. In the group of mice with daily impacts, the pattern was restored if a week of rest occurred between each concussion.

 

5. The mice that experienced a daily concussion for a month had inflammation and white matter damage.

 

"Studies have show that almost all people with single concussions spontaneously recover, but athletes who play contact sports are much more susceptible to lasting brain damage," said Mark P. Burns, PhD, assistant professor of neuroscience at GUMC. "These findings help fill in the picture of how and when concussions and mild head trauma can lead to sustained brain damage."

 

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