Preliminary investigation of Brain Network Activation (BNA) and its clinical utility in sport-related concussion

A. Reches, J. Kutcher, R. J. Elbin, H. Or-Ly, B. Sadeh, J. Greer, D. J. McAllister, A. Geva, A. P. Kontos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: The clinical diagnosis and management of patients with sport-related concussion is largely dependent on subjectively reported symptoms, clinical examinations, cognitive, balance, vestibular and oculomotor testing. Consequently, there is an unmet need for objective assessment tools that can identify the injury from a physiological perspective and add an important layer of information to the clinician’s decision-making process. Objective: The goal of the study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the EEG-based tool named Brain Network Activation (BNA) as a longitudinal assessment method of brain function in the management of young athletes with concussion. Methods: Athletes with concussion (n = 86) and age-matched controls (n = 81) were evaluated at four time points with symptom questionnaires and BNA. BNA scores were calculated by comparing functional networks to a previously defined normative reference brain network model to the same cognitive task. Results: Subjects above 16 years of age exhibited a significant decrease in BNA scores immediately following injury, as well as notable changes in functional network activity, relative to the controls. Three representative case studies of the tested population are discussed in detail, to demonstrate the clinical utility of BNA. Conclusion: The data support the utility of BNA to augment clinical examinations, symptoms and additional tests by providing an effective method for evaluating objective electrophysiological changes associated with sport-related concussions.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)237-246
Number of pages10
JournalBrain Injury
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 28 Jan 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brain Network Activation (BNA)
  • Concussion management
  • electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • event related potential (ERP)
  • functional brain imaging
  • mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)
  • sports-related concussion (SRC)

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Neuroscience (miscellaneous)
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Preliminary investigation of Brain Network Activation (BNA) and its clinical utility in sport-related concussion'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this