Robust RT deficits were observed acutely following concussion .
Minimal magnitude differences were noted when comparing between- and within-subject effects , suggesting that pre-injury baselines may not add clinical value in determining post-injury RT impairment .
RT deficits persisted up till the intermediate-term ( 21–59 days post-injury ) timeframe and indicate lingering deficits exist .
Mean effect size differences were observed between RT measure types and computerized neurocognitive testing platforms ; however , all categories displayed negative effects consistent with impaired RT following concussion .
Reaction time ( RT ) deficits are reported following concussion , but it is unknown when these deficits normalize to pre-injury status .
It is also unclear how factors such as RT measurement technique and participant characteristics influence post-concussion RT .
The purpose of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to ( 1 ) characterize acute post-concussion ( 0–3 days ) RT impairments , ( 2 ) examine RT recovery over time , and ( 3 ) explore moderating factors related to acute RT impairment following concussion .
Neuropsychological alterations and neuroradiological findings in patients with post-traumatic concussion: Results of a pilot study.
INTRODUCTION Mild traumatic brain injury ( mTBI ) has traditionally been considered to cause no significant brain damage since symptoms spontaneously remit after a few days . However , this idea is facing increasing scrutiny . The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the presence of early cognitive alterations in a series of patients with mTBI and to link these findings to different markers of brain damage . METHODS We conducted a prospect i ve study of a consecutive series of patients with mTBI who were evaluated over a 12-month period . Forty-one ( 3.7 % ) of the 1144 included patients had experienced a concussion . Patients underwent a routine clinical evaluation and a brain computed tomography ( CT ) scan , and were also administered a st and ardised test for post-concussion symptoms within the first 24hours of mTBI and also 1 to 2 weeks later . The second assessment also included a  neuropsychological test battery .  The results of these studies were compared to those of a control group of 28 healthy volunteers with similar characteristics . Twenty patients underwent an MRI scan . RESULTS Verbal memory and learning were the cognitive functions most affected by mTBI . Seven out of the 20 patients with normal CT findings displayed structural alterations on MR images , which were compatible with diffuse axonal injury in 2 cases . CONCLUSIONS Results from this pilot study suggest that early cognitive alterations and structural brain lesions affect a considerable percentage of patients with post-concussion syndrome following mTBI
Robust RT deficits were observed acutely following concussion .
Minimal magnitude differences were noted when comparing between- and within-subject effects , suggesting that pre-injury baselines may not add clinical value in determining post-injury RT impairment .
RT deficits persisted up till the intermediate-term ( 21–59 days post-injury ) timeframe and indicate lingering deficits exist .
Mean effect size differences were observed between RT measure types and computerized neurocognitive testing platforms ; however , all categories displayed negative effects consistent with impaired RT following concussion .
Reaction time ( RT ) deficits are reported following concussion , but it is unknown when these deficits normalize to pre-injury status .
It is also unclear how factors such as RT measurement technique and participant characteristics influence post-concussion RT .
The purpose of this systematic review and meta- analysis was to ( 1 ) characterize acute post-concussion ( 0–3 days ) RT impairments , ( 2 ) examine RT recovery over time , and ( 3 ) explore moderating factors related to acute RT impairment following concussion .