We’re wrapping up 2017 (and the first year of our new blog!) by re-capping with ten of the most interesting concussion topics in the news. Stories like these offer promising hope for more concussion research as well as greater discussion and awareness. This in turn will help not just athletes but our society overall as the world takes on the important subject of concussions “head on.”
- CTE detectable in a living person: In a recent study published last month in the medical journal Neurosurgery, scientists claim to have seen specialized imaging evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in a living patient for the first time.
- Blood tests for concussion detection? Several companies are trying to develop blood tests that will detect concussions as easily as cholesterol tests help discover potential heart issues.
- VICIS Zero1 Helmet: we discussed this earlier this year in our blog. Zero 1 looks like the kind of helmets that have been around since the 1970s but neurosurgeons and engineers are optimistic that this new (still very pricey!) helmet will better protect football players.
- Donating brains for research: Former Miami Dolphins player Nick Buoniconti, Montreal Alouettes linebacker Kyries Hebert as well as NASCAR’s Jerry Nadeau, to name just a handful of athletes, have announced they will help support CTE research by donating their brains.
- Talks, videos and media coverage: Athletes across the world are widely speaking up about post-concussion syndrome and helping spread awareness.
- Concussion App: The “SuperBetter” app may help in unresolved concussion symptoms in teens.
- Investigative reports: We’re seeing more intensive looks into youth sports and concussions, like this one on the Today Show.
- Team Up Speak Up: Children in schools like Palm Desert High School are being told to speak up if they notice a teammate exhibiting concussion symptoms in case trainers and coaches are not aware or their teammate is too embarrassed to take himself/herself out of a game.
- Concussion Legacy Foundation: The CLF continues to go into schools to spread brain trauma awareness, and makes continued strides in its efforts to address CTE and study neurodegenerative disease.
- The written word: Nearly 800 books on the topic of concussion are available to the public on Amazon!
Do you have a headline you want to see discussed in 2018? Email us at support@macconcussion.com or call us at 302-235-8808. In the meantime, have a safe, happy and HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
