Local research

Connectivity (external site) is a WA website, that provides useful information on current literature and research following concussion.

They are conducting their own research that individuals can get involved in, further information is can be found on the traumatic brain injury research (external site) page.

The aim of the study is to identify factors which may predict individuals at increased risk of delayed recovery following concussion to better manage treatment and improve recovery.

They are seeking participants between the ages of 18 to 65 years who have sustained a concussion injury from any cause (eg falls, transport accidents, sport-related concussions, assault) and have been diagnosed by a medical doctor. Participants must be recruited within 7 days of their concussion injury.

The study involves two phases:

• Phase I is a telephone-based interview, covering demographic information, circumstances of the injury, relevant past medical history and a symptom scale.
• Phase II (optional, and eligible sub-set) is a more extensive series of testing done at the Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Nedlands, and includes MRI, qEEG, Neuropsychological Assessment, blood tests, exercise tolerance and VOMS.

The Australian Sports Brain Bank (ASBB) was established in 2018 by the Neuropathology Department at RPA Hospital Sydney (external site) in partnership with the Concussion Legacy Foundation in the USA (external site). The ASBB was the first to describe the disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the brains of football players in Australia.

The ASBB mission is to use expert diagnostic neuropathology, coupled with research, to understand and other brain pathology that is associated with repetitive head injury in sport and elsewhere. They empower families and loved ones by providing accurate diagnoses, and use donor tissue to facilitate research into CTE and other brain disorders associated with traumatic brain injury.

You can access further information, including how to pledge your brain to research, at Sports Brain Bank (external site)