text_1: Ultrasound Headset May Be New Way to Recognize Concussion on the Sidelines
text_2: A Los Angeles-based company has found that its “advanced version” of a transcranial Doppler (TCD) device is able to pick up changes in blood flow in the brains of recently concussed athletes, potentially increasing the likelihood of a useful ultrasound device that can be available on the sidelines of sporting events to diagnose concussions in real time. The abstract of the study is being presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting, and the association issued this news release as part of its conference outreach. The news release does an admirable job of explaining the experimental design that led to this finding, getting specific about the nature of the participants and using language understandable to lay audiences. Its omission of information about potential costs, harms and conflicts of interest is less ideal. Journalists, of course, will also need to be sensitive to the fact that the research has not yet undergone peer review. [Editor’s note: Kathlyn Stone, one of three reviewers on this news release, worked for the American Academy of Neurology from 2000-2004 as senior manager of media relations. She has no current relationship with the AAN.] According to the release, more than 1 million athletes in the United States sustain concussions each year. Detecting those “hits” early—ideally on the field of play—and determining which require medical intervention would be valuable. That being said, there really is no medical intervention to prevent sports-related concussion except to abstain from more contact. If the test were sensitive enough to detect early signs of concussion, it could prevent some additional damage that could result from continuing to play.