| Description |
Introduction: Concussion is a common injury across all ages and with varied causes, including car crashes, falls, combat and sports. Balance impairments are common and well-documented after concussion but less in known about what causes these impairments at the neural and kinematic level. The main aim of this study was to investigate the existence and magnitude of the N100 ERP in concussed versus healthy participants during perturbed walking, a Push and Release Task, and a reaction time test (Hockey Puck Task). Methods: Ten participants, 5 healthy (23.8±4.7 years) and 5 concussed (24.6±5.2 years), were recruited, outfitted with mobile EEG and triaxial inertial sensors, and carried out a battery of tasks, including the Hockey Puck Task, Push and Release Task, 30-Second Sway, 2-Minute Walk, and expected and unexpected perturbations during walking. Results: Within the Push and Release Task there was evidence of an N100 related to moment of release of the participant, and it appeared to be greater in concussed individuals, but this difference was not significant. Within the Hockey Puck Task, there was no evidence of an N100, but there was a reliable positive trending potential following the drop of the puck by the experimenter, which was maximal between 260 and 300 ms. This positive trending potential is consistent with a P300 ERP. Discussion: We cannot make any definitive statements on the neurophysiology of concussion based on these data, but the results are useful to us as researchers and for future studies. The results suggest that we may be able to elicit ERPs with these tasks, but we will likely need many more trials and participants in order to reliably establish (1) the presence of the ERPs and (2) if the ERPs differ based on concussion. |
