Cognitive effects associated with frequency and onset of sports related concussions

Social interest and recent advance in technology have made concussions on the largest topics is scientific research today. Knowledge continues to be uncovered and more data and information is studied on the effects of concussions and links to later in life cognitive decline. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have been known consequences of chronic traumatic encephalopathy but with recent findings in retired football players, more research is needed to show the correlation between concussions and the effects on cognition. Furthermore, with millions of youth athletes participating in sports each year, the impact of concussions on development and maturation need to be further researched. Initial retrospective studies seem to show the correlation between early in life concussions and decreased cognitive function later in life but longitudinal studies are lacking. Cognitive function data collected in longitudinal studies may help to show how early changes in function may be able to be identified and prevent further decline from repetitive impacts. Studies such as this would help fill the gap in research that could change youth sports as well as medical treatment and prevention to youth concussions