With all the news surrounding concussions lately, many people still treat concussions as temporary events. Studies in the past have shown that symptoms of a concussion such as headaches will typically disappear in a week or two.
However, a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command involving detailed brain scans of high school and college football players challenges this assumption. The study involved the use of advanced MRI scans called diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion kurtosis tensor imaging. These studies looked at changes in the brain’s white matter. White matter contains bundles of nerve fibers that assist in carrying messages from one area of the brain to another.
The study that was presented to the American Academy of Neurology found of the athletes who were diagnosed with a concussion continued visible damage in their brains 6 months after diagnosis. This damage was seen even though the players were deemed to have recovered symptomatically in 7 to 10 days. This means that signs of neurological damage remained long after clinical symptoms of concussion had ceased.
While it is too early to fully appreciate the effects of this study, concussions are serious injuries that need continued evaluation.
Symptoms of a Concussion Include:
While the mainstream thoughts on concussions are changing, many still do not fully appreciate the seriousness of mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of another, consider speaking with a qualified traumatic brain injury lawyer in West Virginia to explore your legal options for compensation.
Attorney Timothy Manchin established the Manchin Injury Law Group in 2011 after his law partner of more than 25 years became a West Virginia circuit court judge. His focus is on helping individual clients and entire families victimized by negligent acts.
We offer a free initial consultation at our office in the Manchin Professional Building — our home since 1983 — conveniently located in Fairmont.
If you are unable to visit our firm, we can come to your home or hospital room.
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