A preliminary investigation of motor evoked potential abnormalities following sport-related concussion.
BACKGROUND
Assessment of concussion is primarily based on self-reported symptoms, neurological examination and neuropsychological testing. The neurophysiologic sequelae and the integrity of the corticomotor pathways could be obtained by evaluating motor evoked potentials (MEPs).


OBJECTIVE
To compare MEPs obtained through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in acutely concussed and non-concussed collegiate athletes.


METHODS
Eighteen collegiate athletes (12 males, six females, aged 20.4 +/- 1.3 years) including nine subjects with acute concussion (<or=24 hours) matched to nine control subjects. TMS was applied over the motor cortex and MEP responses were recorded from the contralateral upper extremity. MEP thresholds (%), latencies (milliseconds per metre) and amplitudes were assessed. Central motor conduction time (CMCT) was calculated from MEP, M response and F wave latencies. Testing was performed on days 1, 3, 5 and 10 post-concussion.


RESULTS
Ulnar MEP amplitudes were significantly different between post-concussion days 3 and 5 (F(3,48) = 3.13, p = 0.041) with smaller amplitudes recorded on day 3 (0.28 +/- 0.10 ms m(-1)). Median MEP latencies were significantly longer (F(3,48) = 4.53, p = 0.023) 10 days post-concussion (27.1 +/- 1.4 ms m(-1)) compared to day 1 (25.7 +/- 1.5 ms m(-1)). No significant differences for motor thresholds or CMCTs were observed (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
MEP abnormalities among acutely concussed collegiate athletes provide direct electrophysiologic evidence for the immediate effects of concussion.
Livingston
Scott C
SC
Division of Physical Therapy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, USA. scott.livingston@uky.edu
Saliba
Ethan N
EN
Goodkin
Howard P
HP
Barth
Jeffrey T
JT
Hertel
Jay N
JN
Ingersoll
Christopher D
CD
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult