URMC / Labs / Bazarian Lab / Lab Foci / Effects of Concussion and Repetitive Head Hits on Brain Structure and Function
Effects of Concussion and Repetitive Head Hits on Brain Structure and Function
Because the clinical diagnosis of concussion, which relies on symptom self-report, is considered unreliable, an alternative reference standard for this injury is needed. This is a fundamental problem for researchers trying to determine the epidemiology and natural history of concussion, as well as for clinicians attempting to accurately diagnose and manage those with an injury. The Bazarian lab has developed diffusion tensor imaging as a reference standard for clinically significant axonal injury after concussion. This has allowed us to determine the value of blood-based biomarkers—such as S100B, tau, GFAP and UCH-L1-- which are ultimately more practical and economical.
What emerged from these research efforts was the startling finding that a head hit could cause brain injury without producing concussive symptoms. This is a particular problem for contact sports like football where repetitive sub-concussive head hits are a routine occurrence. At the same time, research from other labs revealed that repetitive head hits were a risk factor for the development of accelerated neurocognitive decline, depression, and even early-onset neurodegeneration (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). This has led many researchers in the field to shift their focus from concussion to repetitive head hits as an emerging threat to neurologic health. The Bazarian lab is exploring the effects of repetitive head hits on multiple aspects of brain structure and function.
Brain Structure
- Blood based biomarkers: Neuronal/astrocyte proteins (S100B, GFAP, UCH-L1, tau, NFL), cytokines, autoantibodies, mRNA expression, metabolites, DNA methylation
- Neuroimaging: DTI, fMRI
Brain Function
- Quantitative EEG
- Computerized eye tracking
- Computerized cognitive testing
- Posturography
Collaborators
- Jessica Gill PhD, Deputy Scientific Director, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research.
- Nathan Cahill DPhil, Center for Imaging Sciences, School of Mathematical Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Eric Rozen, MA ATC, Head Athletic Trainer, Department of Athletics, University of Rochester
- Steven Meyers MD PhD, Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester
- Jianhui Zhong PhD, Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester
- Xing Qiu PhD, Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester.
- Courtney Jones PhD MPH, Emergency Medicine Research, University of Rochester
- Inga Koerte MD PhD, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Harvard Medical School
- Dzung Pham PhD, Image Processing Core, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University
- Brad Mahon PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Carnegie Mellon University
- Ross Clark PhD, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Peter Biberthaler MD, Department of Trauma Surgery, Technical University of Munich, Germany
- Viktoria Bogner-Flatz MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ludwig Maximillians University, Munich, Germany
- Massimo Fiandaca MD, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of California Irvine
- Jay Clugston MD, Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida
- Rochester Center for Brain Imaging
- Johan Unden MD, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Lund University, Sweden
- Tim Meier PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Rob Welch MD MS, Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University
- Thomas Talavage PhD, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University
- Damir Janigro PhD, Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University
- Leslie Prichep PhD, Department of Psychiatry, New York University
- Lynn Babcock MD MS, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati
- St John Fisher College, Department of Athletics, Rochester, NY
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Department of Athletics, Geneva, NY
- Roberts Wesleyan College, Department of Athletic Training, Rochester, NY
Consortium Partners
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