|
Citation
|
Jackson GD, Makdissi M, Pedersen M, Parker DM, Curwood EK, Farquharson S, Connelly A, Abbott DF, McCrory P. J. Concussion 2019; 3: e2059700219861200. |
|
Abstract
|
Aim
To determine whether acute sport-related concussion is associated with functional brain changes in Australian rules footballers.
Methods
Twenty acutely concussed professional Australian footballers were studied with 3 T magnetic resonance imaging and compared to 20 age-matched control subjects. We statistically compared whole-brain local functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity between acutely concussed footballers and controls using voxel-wise permutation testing.
Results
The acutely concussed football players had significantly decreased local functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right inferior parietal lobe, and right anterior insula, compared to controls. No functional brain changes between groups within the default mode network were observed.
Discussion
Acutely concussed footballers had in common decreased functional connectivity within the right lateralized "cognitive control network" of the brain that is involved in executive functions, and the "salience network" involved in switching between tasks. Dysfunction of these brain regions is a plausible explanation for typical clinical features of concussion.
Keywords Sport-related concussion, functional magnetic resonance imaging, Australian football, brain connectivity
Language: en |