Concussions and the Longer-Term Effect on Children's Brains

 Andrew Mayer, PhD, and his team at the Mind Research Network and University of New Mexico recently analyzed the brains of children ages 10 to 17 that recently suffered mild traumatic brain injuries. Although this was a small study, comparing 15 concussion sufferers with 15 healthy participants, the results have some alarming implications for children post-concussion. Previous studies have demonstrated that concussions affect the brain’s white matter, which is responsible for transmitting information throughout different regions of the brain. In the children tested soon after sustaining a concussion, there was evidence of structural changes in white matter on top of the cognitive symptoms typically associated with concussions. Although the patients no longer reported symptoms in their follow up appointments about 3 months later, Mayer and his colleagues found that the changes in white matter remained.

As Mayer notes, “The magnitude of the white matter changes in children with mild traumatic brain injury was larger than what has been previously reported for adult patients…This suggests that developmental differences in the brain or the muscular-skeletal system may render pediatric patients more susceptible to injury.”  While a child may seem to have recovered from a concussion once symptoms subside, it is possible that their healing is not yet complete. This raises the important question of when it is actually safe for them to participate in activities that risk sustaining a second concussion. Extra care must be taken treating concussions in youth to prevent subsequent injuries that could harm their developing and “already vulnerable” brains.

Further research is needed to determine whether these changes in white matter in children are permanent or only part of an extended recovery process after a concussion. Hopefully these findings will serve as a catalyst for subsequent studies to help keep kids safe.

Follow the below links to read more on Medical Xpress or Health Day…

MedicalXpress: “Concussions Affect Children’s Brains Even after Symptoms Subside”

Health Day: “Brain Changes Continue after Child’s Concussion”