Due to differences in modalities , time course , study design and outcomes , it is not possible to define a single ‘ physiological time window ’ for SRC recovery .
Multiple studies suggest physiological dysfunction may outlast current clinical measures of recovery , supporting a buffer zone of gradually increasing activity before full contact risk .
Aim or objective The aim of this study is to consoli date studies of physiological measures following sport-related concussion ( SRC ) to determine if a time course of postinjury altered neurobiology can be outlined .
This biological time course was considered with respect to clinical ly relevant outcomes such as vulnerability to repeat injury and safe timing of return to physical contact risk .
Functional abnormalities in symptomatic concussed athletes: an fMRI study
Our aim was to quantify with functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) changes in brain activity in concussed athletes and compare the results with those of normal control subjects . Regional brain activations associated with a working memory task were obtained from a group of concussed athletes ( 15 symptomatic , 1 asymptomatic ) and eight matched control subjects , using blood oxygen level dependent ( BOLD ) fMRI .  The average percent signal change from baseline to working memory condition in each region of interest was computed . Symptomatic concussed athletes demonstrated task-related activations in some but not all the regions of interest , even when they performed as well as the control subjects . Furthermore , several concussed athletes had additional increases in activity outside the regions of interest , not seen in the control group . Quantitative analysis of BOLD signals within regions of interest revealed that , in general , concussed athletes had different BOLD responses compared to the control subjects . The task-related activation pattern of the one symptom-free athlete was comparable to that of the control group . We also repeated the study in one athlete whose symptoms had resolved . On the first study , when he was still symptomatic , less task-related activations were observed . On follow-up , once his symptoms had disappeared , the task-related activations became comparable to those of the control group . These results demonstrate the potential of fMRI , in conjunction with the working memory task , to identify an underlying pathology in symptomatic concussed individuals with normal structural imaging results
Due to differences in modalities , time course , study design and outcomes , it is not possible to define a single ‘ physiological time window ’ for SRC recovery .
Multiple studies suggest physiological dysfunction may outlast current clinical measures of recovery , supporting a buffer zone of gradually increasing activity before full contact risk .
Aim or objective The aim of this study is to consoli date studies of physiological measures following sport-related concussion ( SRC ) to determine if a time course of postinjury altered neurobiology can be outlined .
This biological time course was considered with respect to clinical ly relevant outcomes such as vulnerability to repeat injury and safe timing of return to physical contact risk .