Researchers from Oxford University’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering have recruited their first participants for a new study exploring the impact of head injuries on the brains of 11–18 year olds. This follows concern about a lack of research into the correlation between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in young people.
Instances of TBI in young people have even been associated with earlier ages of incarceration, increased risk of violence, and more convictions. Both English and Scottish parliaments have carried out reviews to try to both prevent and combat the behavioural issues associated with TBI. There is currently no legislation in place to keep players safe – the government supports the strapline “if in doubt, sit them out”, which stipulates that, if there’s any sign of a concussion, players are taken off the field and prevented from playing for 24 hours.
The study’s lead author, Professor Natalie Voets commented: “Despite the potentially important long-term effects, paediatric head injury has remained heavily understudied”. Researchers at The Podium Institute for Sports Medicine and Technology – which is part of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering – plan to scan a total of 60 patients and 60 control cases, all regular athletes aged between 11 to 18. The study will take place over the next two and a half years.
Most instances of TBI are scanned by computerised tomography (CT) in hospital to check for life-threatening injuries. But there is great concern that these CT scans are missing vital evidence of life long conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, many children whose CT scans appear normal can still experience lasting symptoms. This new study, conducted by The Podium institute, is using neuroimaging techniques and MRI scans alongside self-and-parent reported information on head injuries to both predict “clinical recovery and sports-related outcomes”.
Tim Lawrence, one of the lead researchers, explained that there was a chance of a “potential link between mild or repetitive traumatic brain injury and long-term cognitive difficulties or even early dementia”. The study hopes to catch the condition earlier to “diagnose more confidently”.
