Potential sex-related differences in neurophysiology post-concussion
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine potential sex-related differences in neurophysiology in concussed and healthy individuals. There was a total of 21(9 F) participants in each group. The concussion (CONC) group reported to the lab within 72 hours, 1- and 2-weeks post-injury. The control (CONT) group followed a similar measurement schedule once recruited. Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude and cortical silent period (CSP) duration was measured in the first dorsal interosseous muscle using transcranial magnetic stimulation. There were no significant differences in MEP amplitude or CSP duration between the CONC and CONT group. As well, there was no significant effect of time on these cortical measures. However, males had significantly longer CSP durations compared to females, indicating greater cortical inhibition, regardless of group. An important and novel finding of this study was the lack of differences in these neurophysiological measures between males and females following concussion.