Ever since my own traumatic brain injury experience, I have been pursuing to discover an effective diagnosis and rehabilitation protocol for patients with brain injury. While the vast majority of research has focused on a single impact that elicits concussion (e.g., disorientation, headache), many soldiers and athletes are frequently exposed to subconcussive head impacts prior to the concussive blow. Thus, it remains completely unknown whether neuronal damage and sensory deficit are caused by a single concussive blow, repetitive subconcussive impacts before the concussive blow, or both. To identify safe ranges of repetitive hits, my laboratory employs head accelerometer, blood biomarkers, ocular-motor system, and neuronal activity (using electroencephalography). By tracking subconcussive impacts combined with various parameters, we have witnessed a glimps of hope that some modalities could predict a concussion before it occurs. It is of my priority to establish brain-injury specific objective markers that to ensure soldiers and athletes’ safety while sustaining highest level of performance.
