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Biography Dr. Cantu is Chief of Neurosurgery Service and Director of Sports Medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts, co-director of the Neurologic Sports Injury Center at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Medical Director of the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, an ongoing registry founded in 1982 to collect and analyze data on spine and head injuries. He is one of the leading experts on concussions in sports and the author of the most widely used concussion grading and return-to-play guidelines. Read Full Biography>> Concussions: Myths And Misconceptions Myth: A concussion only occurs when there is a loss of consciousness (LOC). Fact: While two of the three most commonly used concussion-grading systems classify as severe (Grade 3) any concussion with LOC, the vast majority of concussions (more than 90%) do not result in LOC. Myth: Temporary confusion or even a permanent gap in memory (post-traumatic amnesia or PTA) can only occur when there is LOC. Fact: Loss of consciousness is not necessary for there to be the immediate, but temporary, change in brain functions, including PTA, that characterize a concussion. Read Full Story>> Medical Work-Up Of The Athlete With Concussion Concussion is derived from the Latin word concussus, which means to shake violently. Initially, it was thought to produce only a temporary disturbance of brain function due to neuronal, chemical, or neuroelectrical changes without any physical changes in the brain. We now know that structural damage with the loss of brain cells does occur with some concussions. Because of advances over the last several years in the neurobiology of cerebral concussion, it has become clear that, in the minutes to days after concussive brain injury, living brain cells may exist be vulnerable, especially to minor changes in cerebral blood flow, increases in intracranial pressure, and to anoxia (insufficient oxygen to the brain). Read Full Story>>		Articles Standardized Assessment Of Concussion Post-Concussion Signs & Symptoms: A Checklist Treating Athletes With Concussions: No Clear Consensus Two New Studies Raises Concerns For Parents About Soccer Heading Foundation Formed To Educate On Dangers Of SIS Concussions: Do Different Rules Apply To Pros? Determining Loss Of Consciousness In Athletes Certified Athletic Trainers: On The Frontline In The Evaluation And Treatment Of Head And Neck Injuries Updating My Concussion Guidelines (Dr. Cantu's Revised Guidelines) Medical Work-Up Of The Athlete With Concussion Helmet Use And Care Concussions: What To Look For Guidelines For Return To Sports Activities After Suffering A Concussion Head & Neck Injuries By Sport (1982 to 1997) Is Heading A Soccer Ball Safe? Second Impact Syndrome: It's The Second Concussion Parents Need To Worry About Preventing Mouth Injuries: The Importance Of Mouthguards The Balance Error Scoring System Concussions: By The Numbers Concussion Grading Systems And Return-To-Play Guidelines: A Comparison Concussions: Myths And Misconceptions Managing Concussions In High School Sports: A Proposed Model Post Concussion Signs And Symptoms: A Checklist Post Traumatic Amnesia Preventing Further Concussions Second Impact Syndrome: What Is It? Second Impact Syndrome: Reasons To Be Cautious With Even Mild Concussions Standard Assessment Of Concussions Treating Athletes With Concussions: No Clear Consensus Concussions: Advice For Parents Of Youth Athletes