HYATTSVILLE, MD--(Marketwired - December 21, 2015) - Walt Whitman High School recently announced that the school is partnering with the MedStar Health Research Institute and a Bethesda neuro-technology firm, BrainScope, to conduct a research study that's designed to improve the recognition and diagnosis of sports-related concussions among student-athletes.
The study will research a new handheld, non-invasive electroencephalogram (EEG) device being developed by BrainScope that can quickly assess concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. MedStar Health researchers will recruit 50 varsity student-athletes to participate in the yearlong study. MedStar Sports Medicine physicians and concussion specialists, Elizabeth Delasobera, MD and Kori Hudson, MD, will oversee the study along with Andrew Lincoln, ScD, MS, director of the Sports Medicine Research Center for the MedStar Health Research Institute.
"MedStar Sports Medicine proudly provides athletic trainers for eight Montgomery County public high schools," says Lincoln. "We view this study as an important step in integrating research and innovation with clinical care as it relates to the serious subject of sports-related concussions."
The goal of the study is to improve the diagnosis of concussions after they occur on the playing field. Though researchers can't predict how many students may be injured during a season, statistics show "a typical concussion rate is in the 8 percent to 10 percent range of participating athletes across the board," according to BrainScope Chief Executive Officer Michael Singer.
The study will follow participating student athletes who meet specific criteria to see if they sustain a traumatic brain injury while playing a school sport. Those who are injured will undergo a standard screening protocol and be tested with the BrainScope hand-held device and then undergo an MRI.
The MedStar Health Research Institute has been conducting similar research studies and outreach programs including a concussion care and training program in collaboration with Children's National Medical Center, several head impact exposure studies looking at youth and collegiate lacrosse players as well as a national injury surveillance study examining the incidence of concussion in youth lacrosse players.
About MedStar Health Research Institute
The MedStar Health Research Institute is the research arm of MedStar Health, the largest healthcare provider in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region. The Research Institute provides scientific, administrative and regulatory support for research programs throughout the MedStar Health system. Its expertise includes translational research into disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. These programs complement the key clinical services and teaching programs in the 10 MedStar hospitals and other MedStar entities. Visit us at www.medstarresearch.org.
About MedStar Sports Medicine
MedStar Sports Medicine, an initiative integrated throughout MedStar Health, is one of the premier sports medicine programs in the country. Over the past 30 years, MedStar Sports Medicine has grown to include more than 50 physicians, 21 certified athletic trainers and a network of therapists, nutritionists, and support staff at ten MedStar Health hospitals and diversified services. Focused on patient care, education, research and team relationships, this network of medical professionals is dedicated to enhancing the health and performance of all active people. More than 40 sports organizations, including the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and US Lacrosse, choose MedStar Sports Medicine as their official medical team. Visit us at MedStarSportsMed.org, or call 888-44-SPORT (888-447-7678).
Contact Information:
Contact:
Katie Norbury Carlin
301-560-2911
Katie.n.carlin@medstar.net