Mild traumatic brain injury increases risk of behavioral and emotional problems in kids

April 27, 2023

University of Rochester researchers have been at the forefront of efforts to understand how blows to the head impact the brain, including how concussions change brain structure . Now researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience have found that kids who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI), even a mild one, have more emotional and behavioral problems than kids who do not.


“These hits to the head are hard to study because much of it depends on recall of an injury since the impacts do not all require a visit to a doctor,” said Daniel Lopez, a Ph.D. candidate in the Epidemiology program and first author of the study out today in NeuroImage. “But being able to analyze longitudinal data from a large cohort and ask important questions like this gives us valuable information into how a TBI, even a mild one, impacts a developing brain.”


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What is a concussion?

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It is the physiological disruption of brain function caused by trauma that is manifested by at least one of the following: Any period of loss of consciousness; Any loss of memory for events immediately before or after the accident; Any alteration in mental state at the time of accident (e.g. feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused) Focal neurological deficit(s) that may or may not be transient. A person does not have to hit his or her head or be hit by an object. The movement of the brain inside the skull, such as in a whiplash injury, may be sufficient to cause damage.

Brain Injury and Fatigue

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
Some people who suffer a concussion become easily tired and fatigued. This can happen for a variety of reasons. The brain powers itself off of the body's glucose. When the brain has been injured it may need more energy to repair itself or to process confusing sensory information it receives from the eyes and other parts of the body. Another factor can be problems with sleep whether caused by pain or by central sleep apnea. In yet other cases, some brain damage occurred in the brain stem area, which includes the areas responsible for regulating the autonomic nervous system. When doctors become aware of a patient with complaints of fatigue, they can order special tests such as Autonomic Nervous System testing and the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill test to diagnose the condition. Correct diagnoses help doctors know the best therapy to help patients get better.

Balance Deficits and Dizziness after Brain Injury

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
About 78% of persons who suffer brain injury or concussion develop problems with dizziness and balance. ENT doctors with a sub-specialty in neuro-otology are ideally suited to treat these conditions because of their additional training in treating vestibular (balance) conditions. Neuro-otologists work closely with specially training physical therapists to provide therapy designed to improve balance. After treatment, most patients with brain injury find that their balance has significantly improved

Brain Injury and Problems with Balance

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
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Vision difficulties after brain injury

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
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Brain injury & Alzheimers

By Steve Gerdes • April 29, 2025
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