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P. Maruff, [1,2] A. Collie, [1,3] D.G. Darby. [2,3] [021] QUANTIFYING THE COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT ASSOCIATED WITH CONCUSSION: USING BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION AS A REFERENCE POINT P. Maruff, [1,2] A. Collie, [...]

A. Collie,2 P. McCrory, [1] D. Darby, [3] P. Maruff, [4] K. Bennell. [4] [020] COMPUTERISED COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT OF CONCUSSION IN AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL M. Makdissi, [1] A. Collie,2 P. [...]

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D. Darby [1,2] P. Maruff [1,3] A. Collie [1,2] [008] TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF CogState ™: A BRIEF, COMPUTERISED COGNITIVE FUNCTION TEST DESIGNED FOR SERIAL ASSESSMENT. (1.) Neuropsychology and (2.) Behavioral [...]

The dual roles of neuropsychological testing in sports concussion are well established. Neuropsychological assessment may aid understanding of the brain structures and processes underlying concussion and the Post Concussion Syndrome. [...]

ObjectiveRecognition and management of concussion within sport is a hot topic as research suggests that the mismanagement can lead to extended time out of play and morbidity after retirement. This study aimed to identify the incidence and risk following concussion within the Rugby Football League and if full recovery from concussion increases the risk of subsequent concussions.DesignRetrospective studyMethodParticipant players were those who held a professional contract between 2006–2012. It is mandatory to provide an annual baseline test and following any diagnosed concussion, with full symptom resolution, a valid return to play test. Concussion test data was provided by CogState Australia from tests performed over 7 seasons.ResultsOver the 7 seasons 4762 players suffered 470 concussion (2.65/1000 hours, 95% Confidence Interval 2.4 to 2.9). The odds of sustaining 1 concussion was 7%, the odds of receiving 2 or more was 1%, and 0.3% 3 or more concussions. The time between concussions for any individual who suffered two or more concussions was on average 355 days. The average return to play time was 1.46 days following the first return to play test. ConclusionsThis report is the first to follow rugby league players over a prolonged period and, the first to demonstrate the risk of subsequent concussions. In rugby league, concussions managed correctly and fully resolved were not shown to have detrimental effects on future concussions, and in general there is a lack of evidence linking appropriately managed concussions in other sports to detrimental future effects. Competing interestsLisa Hodgson, Conor Gissane, Peter Walker David Darby – None.Paul Maruff – Full time employee of CogState.David Darby – Former Founder and Director of Cogstate.

ObjectiveAnnual baseline testing within professional Rugby League has been mandatory since 2004. The question, do annual baselines drift over time or as a result of a concussion in rugby league players is unanswered. If they do drift, what is the magnitude and in what tasks and is this correlated to associated concussions. The study evaluated if baselines drift over time and if so is this related to concussive injury or accumulating injury.DesignRetrospective studyMethodParticipant players were those who held a professional contract between the 2006–2012 season. It is mandatory to provide an annual baseline test using CogSport and following any diagnosed concussion, with full symptom resolution, a valid return to play test. Concussion test data was provided by CogState Australia from tests performed over 7 seasons.ResultsOver the 7-year period 4762 players suffered 470 concussions (2.65/1000 hours, 95% Confidence Interval 2.4 to 2.9). Identification increased with previous concussion (0.017, 0.001 to 0.029, P=0.05) but not season. One Back Memory decreased with concussion (−.05 to −.05, P=0.001). One Card Learning decreased with previous concussion (−0.041, −0.049 to −0.34, P=0.001) and season (−0.006, −0.007 to −0.005, P=0.001).ConclusionsOver seven seasons, item scores within the CogSport test varied as a function of previous concussion and time. Individual items within the CogSport test were influenced by differing factors and further examination of the individual items is warranted.Competing interestsLisa Hodgson, Conor Gissane, P Walker – None.Paul Maruff – Full time employee of CogStateD Darby – Former Founder and Director of Cogstate