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Clinical Assessment of Concussion and Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms for Neurologists

  • Neurotrauma (D Sandsmark: Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Concussion produces a variety of signs and symptoms. Most patients recover within 2–4 weeks, but a significant minority experiences persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS), some of which may be from associated cervical or persistent neurologic sub-system (e.g., vestibular) dysfunction. This review provides evidence-based information for a pertinent history and physical examination of patients with concussion.

Recent Findings

The differential diagnosis of PPCS is based on the mechanism of injury, a thorough medical history and concussion-pertinent neurological and cervical physical examinations. The concussion physical examination focuses on elements of autonomic function, oculomotor and vestibular function, and the cervical spine. Abnormalities identified on physical examination can inform specific forms of rehabilitation to help speed recovery.

Summary

Emerging data show that there are specific symptom generators after concussion that can be identified by a thorough history, a pertinent physical examination, and adjunct tests when indicated.

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Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under award number 1R01NS094444 and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the NIH under award number UL1TR001412 to the University at Buffalo, SUNY. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

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John J Leddy, M Nadir Haider, James M Noble, Brian Rieger, Steven Flanagan, Barry S Willer: Conception, design, and writing of the manuscript. Jacob I McPherson, Kenneth Shubin Stein, Ghazala T Saleem, Lou Corsaro: Design and writing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to John J. Leddy.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Noble is the co-founder and chief medical adviser of NoMo Diagnostics, which aims to develop an EEG-based concussion diagnostic tool; he has stock options in the company.

Dr. Rieger has an equity interest in Quadrant Biosciences (Motion Intelligence), which is working on concussion assessment and diagnostic tools, and has also received research support from the company and is Co-Chair in Brain Injury Association of New York State Concussion Initiative.

Dr. Leddy is on the Scientific Advisory boards of Neurolign, Stage Two Contract Engineering, Neuronasal, and Highmark Innovations.

Dr. Mohammad Nadir Haider is on the Scientific Advisory board of BlinkTBI and has received personal fees from BlinkCNS and Oculogica Inc.

Otherwise, the authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Leddy, J.J., Haider, M.N., Noble, J.M. et al. Clinical Assessment of Concussion and Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms for Neurologists. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 21, 70 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-021-01159-2

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