Abstract
Primary objective: This study examined the effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR).Research design: A repeated measures design was used to examine serial changes in CVR.Methods and procedures: Twenty subjects who recently suffered a mTBI were subjected to a respiratory challenge consisting of repeated 20 s breath-holds (BH) and hyperventilations (HV). Testing occurred on days 2 (D2), 4 (D4) and 8 (D8) post-injury as well as a baseline (BASE) assessment (after return-to-play). Transcranial Doppler was used to assess mean cerebral blood velocity (vMCA) and expired gas analysis provided end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) levels.Results: There was no significant difference in resting vMCA across all testing days for mTBI. No significant differences in PETCO2 were found throughout the testing protocol. A significant effect (p < 0.001) of testing day on vMCA was found during BH and HV challenges for mTBI. Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in vMCA between D2 and the other testing days.Conclusions: These data suggest that, following mTBI: (1) CVR is not impaired at rest; (2) CVR is impaired in response to respiratory stress; and (3) the impairment may be resolved as early as 4 days post-injury.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
