Doctors’ advice to rest for several days after experiencing a concussion has been supported by recent research, which sheds light on why this rest period is crucial for brain healing.
Neuroscientists from Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered that rest, extending beyond just one day, allows the brain to reset neural networks and repair any short-term damage caused by concussions.
In a groundbreaking study using mice, researchers found that repeated mild concussions, with only a day of recovery between injuries, resulted in cumulative damage and brain inflammation that persisted for up to a year after the initial injury.
Lead researcher Mark P. Burns, PhD, explains, “It is encouraging that the brain can recover from an impact if given sufficient time to rest and heal. However, we have also found that the brain does not go through this rebalancing process when injuries occur too close together.”
The study, published in the American Journal of Pathology in March 2016, aimed to investigate the brain damage caused by repetitive mild head trauma, such as those experienced in sports, military service, or domestic abuse incidents.
Using a mouse model, the researchers simulated repeated mild concussive impacts while the mice were under anesthesia. They compared the brain’s response to a single concussion with injuries received daily for 30 days and weekly for 30 weeks.
Mice experiencing a single concussion temporarily lost around 10-15 percent of their neuronal connections, but without any inflammation or cell death, according to Burns. However, after three days of rest, all neuronal connections were restored. This restorative response was not observed in mice with daily concussions, but it reappeared when a week of rest was provided between each injury.
In contrast, when a mild concussion occurred every day for a month, it resulted in inflammation and damage to the brain’s white matter. This damage continued to worsen over two months and remained evident even one year after the last impact.
Burns points out that these findings mirror observations made in humans who have suffered brain injuries, especially athletes. While most individuals with single concussions tend to recover spontaneously, athletes engaged in contact sports are more susceptible to long-lasting brain damage.
The study’s findings provide valuable insights into how concussions and mild head trauma can lead to sustained brain damage.
By understanding the importance of rest in the recovery process, we can emphasize the significance of allowing the brain enough time to heal after a concussion.
Remember, if you or someone you know experiences a concussion, listen to the advice of medical professionals and take the necessary rest to give your brain the opportunity to recover fully.
