title: Diffusion tensor imaging of sports-related concussion in adolescents.
abstract: Concussion is among the least understood neurologic injuries. The impact of concussion on the adolescent brain remains largely unknown. This study sought to establish short-term changes in white-matter integrity after sports-related concussion in adolescents, and examine the association between changes in white-matter integrity and a clinical measure of concussion. Twelve adolescents, aged 14-17 years with a sports-related concussion within 2 months, and 10 age-matched adolescents with no history of concussion were evaluated with the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 2 and diffusion tensor imaging. Two measures compared the two groups: fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. Whole-brain fractional anisotropy values significantly increased (F(1,40) = 6.29, P = 0.010), and mean diffusivity values decreased (F(1,40) = 4.75, P = 0.036), in concussed athletes compared with control participants. Total scores on the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 2 were associated with whole-brain fractional anisotropy. Mean diffusivity values with lower scores were associated with higher fractional anisotropy (R(2) = 0.25, P = 0.017) and lower mean diffusivity (R(2) = 0.20, P = 0.038). We provide evidence of structural changes in the integrity of white matter in adolescent athletes after sports-related concussion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. nvb31@mail.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Naznin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Virji-Babul
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Borich
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Makan
authors.forename: Tiffany
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Kira
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frew
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Emery
authors.forename: Lara A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Boyd
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016880:Anisotropy; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index