IOM Weighs In On Sports-Related Concussions In Children

Posted on | October 30, 2013 | Comments Off on IOM Weighs In On Sports-Related Concussions In Children

A new IOM report released today flashes a yellow caution light on contact youth sports. The report states in part:

“Studies of the shorter-term effects of repetitive head impacts and multiple concussions have had mixed results; some studies show that these injuries result in a decrease in cognitive function — such as memory loss — and changes in brain physiology while others do not. The role that multiple concussions and repetitive head impacts play in long-term health also is not fully understood. For example, it remains unclear whether repetitive head impacts and multiple concussions sustained in youth lead to long-term neurodegenerative diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy – commonly known as CTE — and Alzheimer’s disease.”