New scanning technique reveals how concussion damages the brain

An advanced brain scanning technique developed at UBC shows that athletes should not play less than two weeks after a concussion, reports the Vancouver Sun.

The researchers scanned the brains of UBC hockey players before the start of the season. Multiple scans were done on 11 players who suffered a concussion.

“We can see that the myelin is still (damaged) at two weeks, so even if the athlete passes the neuropsychological exam, I would hold him out of play for at least three weeks,” said lead investigator Alex Rauscher, Canada Research Chair in the pediatrics department at UBC. “Getting another concussion before the brain is healed can be extremely dangerous.”

This article also appeared in The Province, Ottawa Citizen and Edmonton Journal.