© Photo: Susan Freundlich
The Traumatic Brain Injury Epidemic
Did you know? Female athletes sustain concussions at higher rates than male athletes.
3.8M
Concussions
in the US each year produced by sports and recreational injuries, according to the CDC.
70M
People
somewhere in the world will experience a TBI each year. Most of these are concussions or mild brain injuries.
38%
Increase
in concussion diagnoses in US emergency rooms from 2007 to 2011. One third were sports related.
One evening, when Seth was biking home, a collision threw him off his bike and into the windshield of an oncoming car. Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet. But the windshield shattered, and blood gushed from his eyebrow. He wanted to continue on his way, but bystanders suggested otherwise.
An ambulance took him to a familiar place, the very medical center where he was in his second year of medical school. They scanned him for injuries, stitched up his face and shoulder, and sent him home.
The next day, he felt worse. For weeks and months, he had headaches, dizziness, episodes of blurry vision, sensitivity to light and sounds, and other difficulties.
© Photo: Susan Freundlich
Reviews of Shaken Brain
A fascinating page turner. Propelled by Dr. Sandel’s exceptional storytelling and clinical expertise, Shaken Brain sheds light on the myths and misunderstandings surrounding concussions, and their consequential impact on so many lives.
Marilyn Spivack, cofounder and past President, Brain Injury Association of America
“A thoroughly engaging and enlightening account, this book explores the often perplexing issues and controversies surrounding post-concussion symptoms. A vital read.”
Mel Glenn, MD, Chief, Brain Injury Division, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
“A valuable resource for patients who have experienced concussion and their families, as well as for the physicians, therapists, and scientists who have made it their life’s work to help them.”
John Leddy, Professor, Medical Director, Concussion Management Clinic, SUNY Buffalo
Latest Insights
Dr. Sandel maintains an active network with other leading brain injury experts. In this blog, she shares ground-breaking insights and fresh perspectives to help you navigate this complex condition and learn about common concussion symptoms.
AMA Hub offers Concussion CME
The AMA Ed Hub has posted the CME program produced by Dr. Sandel and Concussion Alliance.
Is There a Connection Between Mild TBI and Mental Health Disorders in Adults and Children?
In a recent study, researchers at Kaiser Permanente found that risks for affective and behavioral disorders were significantly higher in the years post-injury for children and adolescents with a history of mTBI—especially for 10- to 13-year-olds. They emphasize the importance of regular interval screening for affective and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents who sustain a mild TBI. This post includes a slide presentation and Q & A with two of the researchers, Richard Delmonico, PhD, and Brian Theodore, PhD.
Concussion Alliance Co-Founders Interviewed for Slate Article
More and more journalists are writing about concussion, in many cases because they have had a concussion themselves or have friends or relatives who have experienced one. In March, 2024, Isobel Whitcomb interviewed Concussion Alliance co-founders Conor Gormally and Malayka Gormally for an article in Slate. It is concerning that bad medical advice (“just rest”) is still being given to concussion patients as is clear in Whitcomb’s story.
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