“A significant contribution”
Commenting on the findings for Medscape Medical News, Temitayo Oyegbile-Chidi, MD, PhD, a pediatric neurologist with Health Peak Inc, McLean, Virginia, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, said the study “makes a significant contribution to the literature, as neurologists who specialized in TBI have long yearned to understand the long-term effects of repeated head impact on the brain and cognition.”
Clinicians should “inquire about a history of prior head impacts on all our patients, regardless of age, especially if they are experiencing or showing signs of unexpected cognitive dysfunction or mental health concerns,” said Oyegbile-Chidi, who was not involved with the study.
For those who have sustained single or repeated head impacts with or without associated LOC in the past, “it is important … to keep in mind that depression and cognitive dysfunction may persist or present even many years after the impact was sustained,” she added.
The study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Alosco has disclosed no relevant financial relationships. The other authors’ disclosures are listed on the original paper. Oyegbile-Chidi has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.