Concussion

concussion, a temporary loss of brain function typically resulting from a relatively mild injury to the brain, not necessarily associated with unconsciousness. Concussion is among the most commonly occurring forms of traumatic brain injury and is sometimes referred to as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), where “mild” describes the severity of the initial physical injury, which is not life-threatening. The term concussion, however, is also often used in reference to more-severe brain injuries, including those involving a loss of consciousness. Some of the most-common causes of concussion include motor-vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, falls, and sports-related injuries. Although research suggests that sports- and recreation-related concussions are common in children, many injured youths do not receive proper care.

Individuals with concussions may not remember what happened immediately before or after their injury. Symptoms of a concussion include slurred speech, confusion, impaired muscle coordination, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Recovery from an uncomplicated concussion is almost always complete. However, sustaining multiple concussions or a moderate or severe concussion has been associated with long-lasting effects on the brain. Studies of retired athletes who sustained concussions in early adulthood have linked those injuries to reduced memory performance and bradykinesia (slowness of movement) in later life. Furthermore, there is evidence indicating that severe concussion may be associated with the eventual onset of mild cognitive impairment and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.