Neuropsychology of Sports-Related Concussion

This book explores neuropsychological considerations in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of sports-related concussions and their aftereffects. Up to ten percent of all athletes in contact sports will suffer from concussion at some point, and as many as 3 million sports-related concussions are reported each year. In this volume, expert contributors in neuropsychology and sports medicine describe treatment for persistent postconcussive symptoms, including posttraumatic headache and migraine, depression and anxiety. They explore genetic factors that can impact symptoms and diagnosis, as well as the use of neuroimaging in diagnosis and treatment; measurement issues such as sex differences, assessment of effort in evaluations, and computerized testing that can affect the validity of neuropsychological results; and exciting new treatment options such as virtual reality tools. Given the recent shocking findings on the prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in professional football players, the importance of correctly diagnosing and treating sports-related concussions cannot be overstated. This book gives clinicians and researchers the tools they need to combat this problem, and help save lives.