Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head. Most people recover fully within days to weeks with rest and gradual return to activity, but some experience symptoms that last months or longer. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and pacing recovery.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs to speed recovery and prevent prolonged symptoms, imaging techniques to objectively measure brain injury, blood biomarkers that could guide return-to-play decisions, and therapies for post-concussion syndrome. Researchers are also studying how repeated concussions affect long-term brain health and whether certain factors predict who will have prolonged recovery.
Blood biomarkers
Tests measuring proteins released after brain injury could help doctors know how severe a concussion is without relying only on symptoms. The FDA approved the first blood test for concussion in 2018, and newer tests are in development.
Prolonged symptoms
Studies are testing targeted treatments for people whose symptoms last beyond the typical recovery window. These include drugs for headache, vestibular therapy for dizziness, and cognitive rehabilitation for attention problems.
Prevention strategies
Trials are examining whether certain interventions immediately after injury can prevent symptoms from becoming chronic. This includes specific rest protocols, early physical therapy, and medications given in the first days after concussion.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on time since injury, symptom type and severity, number of prior concussions, and whether symptoms are improving or persistent.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Testing medications or therapies to speed recovery or reduce symptoms like headache, dizziness, sleep problems, or difficulty concentrating.
- Post-concussion syndrome trials — Studies for people whose symptoms persist beyond three months, testing specific treatments for prolonged headaches, cognitive issues, or mood changes.
- Biomarker studies — Collecting blood samples or brain scans to find objective measures of concussion severity and recovery that don't rely on self-reported symptoms.
- Prevention trials — Testing whether certain steps taken immediately after concussion can prevent prolonged symptoms or speed return to normal activity.
- Long-term outcome studies — Following people over years to understand how concussions affect brain health, especially after multiple injuries.
Recently added Concussion trials
Complete eye movement tests to assess brain injury recovery
The early prospective study of Traq™ (an investigational binocular ophthalmic neurodiagnostic device) will measure binocular ocular functions (bilateral foveal fixation, foveal binocularity, and fovea-tracked saccadic latency) in normal subjects and those with history of mild-to moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
Receive oxygen chamber therapy and track long-term recovery
This study is designed to better understand the long-term effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Our goal is to determine whether improvements after treatment are maintained over time and whether additional benefits appear months after treatment has ended. We will evaluate changes in cognitive function, mental health, and daily functioning to help strengthen the scientific evidence supporting the use of HBOT and guide future treatment recommendations.
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