Electrophysiological evidence for the cumulative effects of concussion

Purpose: A study was initiated with the intent of demonstrating the cumulat ive effects of concussion in junior hockey players using visual event-relat ed potentials and post-concussion syndrome (PCS) self-reports. Methods: Players were assessed at the beginning of the season (pre-injury) and at various times postinjury. Results: The results suggest that players with three or more concussions di ffered significantly on the several cognitive PCS symptoms as well as for t he latency of the P3 response compared to those with no concussion history. Discussion: Event-related potentials are useful indices of the cumulative d amage that can occur following multiple concussions. These measures correla te significantly with cognitive self-reports of PCS symptoms. Conclusions: This pattern of results is consistent with the position that e ach concussion potentially causes brain damage. Cumulative damage can be de tected using electrophysiological measures of brain function.