This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Concussions are incredibly dangerous and present a wide number of health problems to those who suffer even one. Though partially preventable, concussions are more common than they should be. It has been estimated that 1.5 million Americans will suffer complex concussions each year. Those figures would suggest that, over the coming decades, millions of individuals are going to suffer the effects of single or repeated concussions and the potential health risks that follow. What type of side effects occur after a concussion? What is research showing about the way the brain functions after a traumatic brain injury (TBI)? Unfortunately, existing information is limited.

Here at Utah State University, Dr. Ron Gillam and doctoral student Nick Wan, both part of the University's Learning, Education & Auditory Processing (LEAP) Brain Imaging Laboratory, have begun studying the short-term problems of a concussion on individuals in an attempt to provide valuable data about the course of brain changes after a concussion. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the duo hopes to reveal hidden truths and important information about concussions that can lead to better prevention and treatment methods for individuals throughout the country.

What Is a Concussion?

In order to have a better understanding of Dr. Gillam and Nick Wan's research, it's important to know what concussions are and how they affect the brain as we understand it today.

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow or impact to the head or violent shaking of the head itself. The injury occurs when the brain physically impacts the inside of the skull with tremendous force. By definition, concussions alter the way your brain functions, thus leading to potential health risks.

Many people assume that concussions lead to unconsciousness or that you can only suffer one if you lose consciousness immediately following the injury. That is false. That fallacy is one of the primary reasons concussions are so dangerous, as most people will not seek treatment or medical help if they don't lose consciousness.

Concussion Facts

There are a few important things you should know about concussions that have a direct impact on the research Dr. Gilam and Nick Wan are conducting. Here are key facts relevant to their research:

• You are much more likely to suffer from a subsequent concussion if you have had one in the past. This means it is even more important for individuals who have suffered some form of traumatic brain injury to protect themselves from further damage.

• Symptoms of a concussion include headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, fatigue, and unconsciousness—not all symptoms will occur with each concussion.

• Symptoms can last for up to a week and a half for average cases. In severe cases, the side effects can last for months due to post-concussion syndrome.

• Athletes account for over 300,000 of total concussions each year.

The Utah State University Concussion and Brain Activity Study

Dr. Ron Gillam and Nick Wan recently began their study of adolescent and adult brains during cognitive tasks. When they found out that two of the participants had concussion-related symptoms during the tests, their research goal shifted to assessing individuals brain functions immediately following a TBI as well as four weeks after the injury.

Individuals completed a series of tasks that were designed to assess neural activation during attention, memory brain rest. With a solid baseline already established from testing healthy adults, Dr. Gillam and Wan were able to see what differences could be found in individuals suffering from TBI symptoms.

To their surprise, the participants who had recently had a concussion performed the attention and memory tasks with the same level of accuracy as they did prior to the concussion. However, the data showed that neural activation during the tasks increased dramatically immediately after suffering a concussion. When the subjects returned one month later, their neural activation had returned to normal.

What Do the Findings Mean?

While it is much too early to conclude anything, the results of the study are intriguing. As it stands, the results show that it can be difficult to prove that an individual has had a concussion by looking at behavior and memory alone. With participants effectively showing no change to actual behavior, identifying the signs of a concussion will need to be accomplished through alternative measures and tests.

Advanced Studies and Research

At Utah State University, our Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education department is responsible for producing great research opportunities like those Dr. Gillam and Nick Wan are involved with. The department provides a number of unique programs that allow students and faculty to collaborate and tackle some of today's most important health issues. With focused professional development, we offer students the opportunity to grow into researchers and professionals, or acquire skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career setting.