Acute and Chronic Effects of Sub-concussion on Brain Function

Mild-traumatic brain injury or concussion is caused by a blow to the head or body with evidence that these injuries result in acute and/or long-term neurological and neurodegenerative disorders such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In contrast, the phenomenon of sub-concussion is described as head impacts of the type experienced by soccer players, when heading a soccer ball, rugby players in a warmup tackle drill or boxers during light contact sparing, which do not result in observable signs and symptoms. Currently, sub-concussion is not routinely considered an injury because it does not induce immediately observable subjective or objective effects on performance ability. However, recent research increasingly report that this type of non-injurious, sub-concussive blows to the head or body can result in subtle deficits in balance, decision making and cognition in animals and human models, particularly when the impacts occur repeatedly. However, this is still an emerging area of research with the chronic, long-term effects and underlying mechanisms still largely unclear.

The goal of this Research Topic is to integrate the latest high-quality advances in the areas of research covered under the general term “sub-concussion” and to shine a light on this emerging area of health research that has received little attention to date. Through this Topic, we would like to encourage further research into this physiological phenomenon and help establish mechanistic pathways, therapeutic opportunities, and preventative strategies that are associated with sub-concussion-induced neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.

For this Research Topic we welcome submissions on topics related to sub-concussion in humans or animal models. They may be linked to sport, military, or motor vehicle accident.

• Acute, non-clinical effects of sub-concussive head impacts;
• Long-term, cumulative effects of repeated sub-concussion;
• Gender differences in sub-concussion;
• Establishment of biomarkers for sub-concussive ‘silent’ injuries;
• Potential mechanistic pathways;
• Development of appropriate animal models;
• Suggestion of preventative and therapeutic strategies.

We would like to acknowledge that Dr. Thomas Di Virgilio, University of Stirling, UK, has acted as a coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.