Concussions in High School Football Players Linked to Slowed Brain Activity

New research has uncovered a significant impact of concussions on an often-overlooked aspect of brain function in high school football players. The study focused on how concussions affect "aperiodic" brain activity—a type of signaling once dismissed as background noise in brain imaging. These findings shed light on the deeper neurological implications of head trauma in young athletes.

Key Findings: The Role of Aperiodic Brain Activity

Unlike periodic brain rhythms, which are well-studied and essential for processes such as movement and attention, aperiodic activity is non-rhythmic and reflects cortical excitability—how neurons respond to stimulation. The study, led by Kevin C. Yu, B.S., and Christopher T. Whitlow, M.D., Ph.D., used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure brain activity in 91 high school football players before and after the season. Of these players, 10 were diagnosed with concussions.

Results revealed that those who sustained concussions exhibited slowed aperiodic brain activity. This slowing correlated strongly with poorer performance on cognitive tests and more severe post-concussion symptoms, including difficulties with memory and concentration. 

Why This Matters: Implications for Adolescent Brain Health

The findings are especially important because they offer new insights into how concussions alter brain function in developing adolescents. Reduced cortical excitability, as observed in this study, is distinct from the changes in brain rhythms typically associated with head trauma. This difference could open the door to a better understanding of how concussions impact the brain’s chemistry, potentially leading to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

The study also underscores the critical need for protective measures in youth contact sports and for ensuring players fully recover before returning to play. Beyond prevention, these findings may enhance how clinicians track post-concussion symptoms and evaluate recovery.