Age and sex factors in effects of brain injury, concussion, study says

ROBERT MacLEOD From Saturday's Globe and Mail Published Friday, May. 11, 2012 6:13PM EDT Last updated Friday, May. 11, 2012 11:02PM EDT

Female and younger athletes show more symptoms of a concussion, and take longer to recover from its effects, a U.S. study has found.

The research, out of Michigan State University, suggests that physicians and athletic trainers should now take both age and sex into account when dealing with an athlete who has suffered a brain injury.

Ian Dawe, physician-in-chief at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, in Whitby, Ont., said the study findings concur with what he and other Canadian experts in concussion and traumatic brain injury are seeing.

Women tend to have a higher mortality rate following a severe traumatic brain injury than men, Dawe said Friday. Outcomes do seem worse and recovery seems to be longer from those severe injuries. It wouldnt be a stretch to look at concussions and see a similar pattern.

Other studies, which have included hockey players, have also shown an apparent increased risk in females.

We dont know the exact reasons but concussion risk may be influenced by gender, neck strength/weakness, reaction time, symptom reporting, etc, said Dr. Michael Stuart of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Studies have also shown that younger athletes may be at higher risk and take longer to recover, he added. But other [studies] have concluded that adolescents are actually more vulnerable. In any event, the developing brain of pediatric athletes makes them different than adults. Therefore, the evaluation and treatment of concussions should be individualized.

Stuart has four children who have all played hockey. Sons Mark and Colin are in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres, respectively, while daughter Cristin played for Boston College.

The Michigan State University research has been published in the latest issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine and concludes that age and sex have an impact on the recovery of those who have suffered from a concussion.

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Age and sex factors in effects of brain injury, concussion, study says