Working Memory and Attention Deficits During a Letter Number Sequencing Task Post-Concussion

As the prevalence of sports related concussions rise, the long-term effects of concussions have garnered increasing research attention. Previous research has demonstrated that certain dimensions of executive function are especially susceptible to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), specifically working memory and attention. Previous studies using EEG have found that increased very low frequency oscillations (VLFO) disrupt goal-oriented activities and are associated with difficulties in cognition, hyperactivity and inattention in concussed individuals after mTBI. This study utilized continuous EEG during a letter number sequencing task on concussed and non-concussed individuals to assess deficits related to working memory and attention. It was hypothesized that concussed student athletes would display greater VLFO and decreased accuracy during the Millisecond Letter Number Sequencing Task. Results of this study showed evidence of a significant increase in the theta/beta ratio during the letter number reordering span in concussed individuals as well as shorter forward and overall span. This study allowed for the conclusion that concussed individuals show altered activity within the frontal lobe region during working memory tasks