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 .
Myelin Water Fraction Is Transiently Reduced after a Single Mild Traumatic Brain Injury – A Prospective Cohort Study in Collegiate Hockey Players
Impact-related mild traumatic brain injuries ( mTBI ) are a major public health concern , and remain as one of the most poorly understood injuries in the field of neuroscience . Currently , the diagnosis and management of such injuries are based largely on patient-reported symptoms . An improved underst and ing of the underlying pathophysiology of mTBI is urgently needed in order to develop better diagnostic and management protocol s. Specifically , dynamic post-injury changes to the myelin sheath in the human brain have not been examined , despite ‘ compromised white matter integrity ’ often being described as a consequence of mTBI . In this preliminary cohort study ,  myelin water imaging was used to prospect ively evaluate changes in myelin water fraction , derived from the T2 decay signal , in two varsity hockey teams ( 45 players ) over one season of athletic competition . 11 players sustained a concussion during competition , and were scanned at 72 hours , 2 weeks , and 2 months post-injury . Results demonstrated a reduction in myelin water fraction at 2 weeks post-injury in several brain areas relative to preseason scans , including the splenium of the corpus callosum , right posterior thalamic radiation , left superior corona radiata , left superior longitudinal fasciculus , and left posterior limb of the internal capsule . Myelin water fraction recovered to pre-season values by 2 months post-injury . These results may indicate transient myelin disruption following a single mTBI , with subsequent remyelination of affected neurons . Myelin disruption was not apparent in the athletes who did not experience a concussion , despite exposure to repetitive subconcussive trauma over a season of collegiate hockey . These findings may help to explain many of the metabolic and neurological deficits observed clinical ly following mTBI
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 .