Using new MRI technologies to detect sports-related concussion

Imagine treating a brain disorder without being able to see the site and extent of actual brain damage. This is essentially the current situation with concussion (mild traumatic brain injury). The goal of this project is to develop a tool that can detect concussion in the brain.

Sports-related concussion is a growing public health concern in Australia and overseas. The detection and management of concussion is very important, as mismanagement can lead to persistent or long-term problems. Despite the recent spotlight on the short- and long-term effects of concussion, we still do not have any device that medical practitioners can use to diagnose a concussion. Having such a device could hugely improve the short-term management of concussion, and could help to predict individual outcomes.

The major expected outcome of this project is a tool that can detect concussion. This tool should also be able to track brain changes over time, and be associated with clinical symptomatology, returning to normal as the person recovers.