Researchers at the University of California at San Diego recently received a $100,000 grant from NFL Charities to study traumatic brain injury (TBI) in military personnel and will ultimately expand the study to include high school and college athletes.
The grant represents part of a total grant package to 16 different research institutions across the country totaling over $1.6 million for sports-related medical research. More than $1 million of this research focuses on concussion prevention and treatment.
The National Football League has recently made a conscious decision to research and develop ways to prevent and treat the long-term effects of brain injuries‚ including dementia ad mental illness.
Among other matters being researched by UCSD researchers are using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging to diagnose traumatic brain injury. Mild traumatic brain injury does not typically show up on CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However‚ UCSD researchers believe that MEG scans can demonstrate slower brain waves and thereby diagnose MTBI.
Most of the participants in the UCSD study will be Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton.
Not only is the NFL concerned about head injuries‚ but the California Interscholastic Foundation has adopted rules to help protect its’ athletes from brain injuries. Among these rules is one mandating that an athlete suspecting of suffering a concussion must be removed from practice and competition until the concussion is resolved and the player is cleared by a medical professional.
