Measuring Neurophysiologic Recovery

Abstract

Abstract Advances in functional neuroimaging not only provide valuable insights on the mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of MTBI but also may pro- vide a new platform for measuring the early course of neurophysiologic recovery following TBI. For many reasons, functional magnetic resonance imag- ing (f MRI) may have various technological, methodological, and practical advantages over other functional imaging platforms when it comes to studying recovery and the effects of rehabilitation in TBI. Several investigators have implemented f MRI in the study of MTBI, including recent studies that have applied f MRI techniques in the investigation of sport-related concussion. Our research group lead by Thomas Hammeke and others at the Medical College of Wisconsin has included f MRI studies as part of a larger project tracking recovery of cognitive functioning, postconcussive symptoms, and postural stability in athletes following concussion. In keeping with the traditional sports concussion research model, all subjects undergo preseason baseline testing on several concussion assessment measures of cognitive functioning, symptoms, and postural stability. These measures are then repeated at several time points postinjury to track recovery after MTBI. Matched control subjects also complete identical protocol to establish the normal pattern of performance on serial testing.