Watch CBS News

Concussions: Study Finds Effects To Brain Months After Symptoms Gone

DETROIT (WWJ) - The number of reported concussions from sports has doubled in the last 10 years.

Now a new study finds that even when symptoms are gone ... the brain may still be affected by the impact months later.

The study involved 17 high school and college football players who experienced a sports-related concussion and 18 athletes who didn't reports WWJ health reporter Dr. Deanna Lites.

Six months after the injury, the brain scans in the athletes who got a concussion showed changes in the white matter of the brain compared to the other athletes ... even though both groups performed the same on other tests such as balance and memory.

The researchers say this shows that athletes may still experience long-term brain changes even after they think they've recovered from the injury.

Calvin Johnson Shares The Dark Realities Of NFL Existence [VIDEO]

This study was presented at the Sports Concussion Conference in Chicago.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.