Careful assessment and caution before return to play are necessary.
Awareness and concern about sports concussions have increased dramatically since the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) first published practice guidelines in 1997. The AAN convened a panel of experts in the forefront of the field to review the substantial amount of recent research, update the sports concussion guidelines, and identify continuing unanswered questions. Highlights of the guidelines include the following:
Assessment: Standardized tools should be used on the field and for follow-up, but not to replace a full diagnostic clinical evaluation. The best measures for identifying concussion have not been determined.
Risk factors: Predictors of early impairment include elevated symptoms, reductions in neuropsychological test scores, and…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)