Sex-specific differences in the association between history of concussion and cerebral blood flow volume

Concussion injuries are currently diagnosed using subjective symptom-reporting. The objective of this thesis was to use objective measurement of cervical arteries contributing to cerebral blood flow (Common Carotid Artery; CCA, Internal Carotid Artery; ICA and Vertebral artery; VA) between male and female athletes with and without a history of concussion (HOC). One hundred and two (102) asymptomatic university athletes were recruited; 41 athletes reported HOC and 61 did not (controls). Doppler ultrasound was used to measure blood flow volume (BFV) in CCA, ICA and VA, bilaterally. Female controls had significantly lower BFV compared to male controls in bilateral CCA and right ICA (p= 0.004; p= 0.048; p <0.001, respectively). Females with HOC had even lower BFV compared to male controls in bilateral CCA and ICA (p< 0.001; p <0.001; p< 0.001; p= 0.035, respectively). Data suggests sex-related differences, particularly in anterior cervical vessels contributing to CBF in athletes with HOC.