Long-term consequences of concussion

There has been recent concern about potential long-term consequences of concussion. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathological change (CTE-NC) is a type of degenerative neurological disease that is associated with a history of repeated head trauma. There has been a growing number of former athletes diagnosed with CTE-NC post-mortem. There are many unknowns about why some athletes are susceptible.

The best way to safeguard the immediate and long term health of athletes is to:

• Remove athletes suspected of having concussion
• Treat each case of concussion carefully
• Adopt a conservative approach to return to sport.