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Bumps and Brains
12 January 2017

Bumps and Brains

A bump on the head is never pleasant, whether it’s caused by an accident or picked up playing sport. As well as being painful, even mild head injuries can cause concussion – a brief loss of mental function that can lead to someone seeing stars, suffering memory loss or even losing consciousness. Concussion usually passes quickly but it can have long term effects, including headaches and dizziness that can last for months. Unfortunately, the effects of concussion don’t show up on conventional brain scans. Scientists are now developing a more advanced scanning technique called magnetoencephalography (MEG) – being tested here on a volunteer – that measures activity and communication within the brain. People with concussion have distinctive changes in MEG patterns, which also reflect the severity of the condition. This technique could help to diagnose and monitor people with concussion to make sure they get the right treatment and care.

Written by Kat Arney

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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