VANCOUVER—Prescribed rest is an important com- ponent of treating concussion, but it may not be the
most appropriate intervention for all patients and may
worsen symptoms in some cases, said Anthony P. Kontos,
PhD, at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy
of Neurology (AAN).
“We need to move the discussion on concussion toward
more active and targeted treatments,” said Dr. Kontos, Research Director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center (UPMC) Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
Concussion is a heterogeneous injury with varying
clinical profiles and recovery trajectories. Approaches to
treatment should account for these differences and involve multidisciplinary teams when necessary, he said.
In October 2015, Dr. Kontos, Michael “Micky”
Collins, PhD, and David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD, directed
a meeting with 37 participants from the fields of neurology, neuropsychology, neurosurgery, primary care, athletic
training, and physical therapy to create a summary agreement that can assist clinicians with concussion treatment.
Nineteen guests, including representatives from professional sports organizations, the military, and public
health, also attended the Targeted Evaluation and Active
Management (TEAM) Approach to Treating Concussion
meeting. The National Football League and UPMC
sponsored the meeting, which was held in Pittsburgh.
Consensus documents have predominantly focused
on things like the various definitions of concussion, how
Looking Beyond Rest to Active and
Targeted Treatments for Concussion
Serving the Neurology Community Since 1993
continued on page 5
MS Misdiagnosis in the
7 Era of McDonald Criteria
Finding the Most Appropriate
12 Migraine Prevention Drug
Poor Olfaction and Cognitive
15 Decline in Parkinson’s Disease
Can Natalizumab Treat
18 Patients With Progressive MS?
English Proficiency May Affect
22 Score on King-Devick Test
Investigational Therapy May
30 Help Treat Status Epilepticus
Does Blood Pressure History
Inside This Issue
