Ahead of Print: Time Between Concussions in Mice

Background: While previous evidence suggests that the cognitive effects of concussions are cumulative, the effect of time interval between repeat concussions is largely unknown.

Objective: To determine the effect of time interval between repeat concussions on the cognitive function of mice.

Methods: We used a weight-drop model of concussion to subject anesthetized mice to 1, 3, 5, or 10 concussions, each a day apart. Additional mice were subjected to 5 concussions at varying time intervals: daily, weekly, and monthly. Morris water maze (MWM) performance was measured 24 hours, 1 month, and 1 year after final injury.

Free CME Article: From the Field of Play to the Field of Combat

Traditionally, the medical management of concussion has involved close observation and physical and cognitive rest. Most postconcussive symptoms resolve spontaneously and require only conservative treatment. However, some patients have prolonged recoveries and may benefit from treatment with medications. Some naturally occurring compounds demonstrate multimechanistic neuroprotective properties and may be potential treatment considerations. For the most part, however, current treatments are symptom based for those with persistent postconcussive symptoms. The evidence supporting the various pharmacologic treatments in concussion is equivocal. The choice of which medication to use for a patient depends on the symptom characteristics, and each decision should be made on an individual-case basis. There is a need for well-designed trials investigating the efficacy of various medical therapies.