Ask a doctor on the topic of Neurology

New question about studies on cognitive impairments in mild concussions.

November 29, 2013 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Kathrin Hamann

From the person I bumped into, I only saw that they were not unconscious, just bent down a bit (probably out of shock) and holding their hands to their head. Since I didn't see the person afterwards (I was in a club), I don't know if they felt sick with dizziness/vomiting. I only know that they were not unconscious. Amnesia could be possible, which would then favor a concussion. Some websites also claim that a concussion/skull-brain trauma only occurs when unconsciousness is present. What do you think about this?

But I am more interested in your opinion on studies that suggest that even after 7 years, people with a mild concussion (which the person may have) still have impairments in cognitive areas. How likely is this? So if this person were to have a mild concussion, how likely is it that they would still be impaired in their thinking 7 years later? Should one trust such a study? (e.g. http://www.medizinauskunft.de/artikel/diagnose/psyche/25_10_gehirnerschuetterung.php) Thank you for your response.

Dr. med. Kathrin Hamann

I am happy to provide you with a more concrete answer on this.

I see that you are not really worried about yourself. Since you do not know how the other person fared after the collision, it is difficult to say how they will be in the coming days and possibly years. However, I do not believe that the previous collision was so serious or severe that it will have lasting effects on cognitive function. The studies you mentioned should always be read and viewed with caution, as they cannot be applied in individual cases and often only report on isolated cases, usually with pre-existing conditions.

The same applies to the other person involved, as we cannot say for certain if they had any pre-existing conditions.

But overall, I see no reason to worry that there will be any such impact on their psyche or cognitive function. The "accidental" head collision is too minor for that.

Therefore, please do not worry.

Do you have any questions about this? I am happy to help you further.

Sincerely,

Dr. K. Hamann