Cumulative Effects of Concussion/Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Abstract

Most investigations examining the effects of sustaining a single concussion show full recovery within 2-14 days. Symptoms are thought to reflect transient neuronal dysfunction rather than cell death. However, there is growing recognition that repeat or repetitive concussions can result in worse outcomes. This is of particular relevance in younger athletes where increased exposure and the interruption of normal brain development associated with injury add to the risk of chronic sequelae. This chapter focuses on the clinical and neuropathological effects of sustaining repeat concussion in pediatric athletes, including a discussion of the neurodegenerative disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), hypothesized to be associated with multiple head injuries.