New Tech Helps Determine Concussion Severity

The Electrode Mesh Cap in action (Photo Credit: Medical News Today)Concussions related to playing football have recently drawn great attention from the public. Recently, the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior (CB3) of University of Nebraska has developed a new device called the electrode mesh cap. The leading researcher, Dennis Molfese, remarks that, “Our goal is to do nothing less than to make this a cutting-edge, world-renowned, world-unique brain-imaging center that eventually will become a model for brain-imaging centers around the world.” The electrode mesh cap is a type of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine that follows a brain’s blood flow. When a player is injured, he will put on the electrode mesh cap enabling medical staff to evaluate his brain waves and determine whether he can continue playing on the field. According to Molfese, the device could be ready to use in hospitals in 1 to 2 years that will help to screen patients of potential brain injuries. 

To learn more, check out Mary Ellis's article here on Medical News Today 

"Back-to-school health: Recognizing sport-related concussions"

As our Relevant Statistics section can attest to, sports-related Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are a real problem for today’s kids. While concussions seem to be occurring more frequently among young athletes, most coaches, parents, and even players themselves don’t realize when it’s happened. As this article posted on Boston Children’s Hospital’s pediatric health blog warns, “Children who get a second concussion before fully recovering from the first are at a greater risk for serious, long-term problems.” This is a great read that provides helpful tips on how to recognize concussions so they can be treated immediately and further damage can be avoided.  

“Back-to-school health: Recognizing sport-related concussions,” by Alexandra Wade, Michael O’Brien, MD, and William Meehan, MD

To contact Dr. O’Brien with any further questions, send them in a tweet with hash tag #SafeSports and hopefully he’ll respond!

Update on Monday, October 1, 2012 at 10:54PM by Minutes for Memories

Some National Football League players choose helmets for looks over safety??? Maybe they should all read this article too...