ImPACT was developed by Dr. Maroon and  neuropsychologist Mark Lovell, PhD in the early 1990′s.  Dr. Maroon has been working with the Steelers for more than 25 years, and it was Steelers legendary coach Chuck Noll who helped stimulate Dr. Maroon and then Dr. Lovell to develop this state-of-the-art concussion test.

Dr. Maroon had told Chuck Noll that the starting quarterback couldn’t play the following week due to a recent concussion.  Noll protested and asked Dr. Maroon why since the quarterback appeared to be healthy at the time.  The state of concussion evaluation at that time was based on guidelines which said following a concussion a player had to stay out two weeks.  Noll then challenged Dr. Maroon to as to who wrote the guidelines and were they scientifically based.

Dr. Maroon realized at this point that these guideline only pertained to a group and not an individual person and that specific testing was required for each individual to determine whether or not the brain had recovered to a sufficient degree to risk the possibility of further injury too soon.  Dr. Maroon and Dr. Lovell establish such data using a series of specific neuropsychological tests which are now called ImPACT.

• A concussion is a disturbance in brain function that occurs following either a blow to the head or as a result of the violent shaking of the head
• In the United States, the annual incidence of sports-related concussion is estimated at 300,000. Estimates regarding the likelihood of an athlete in a contact sport experiencing a concussion may be as high as 19% per season. Although the majority of athletes who experience a concussion are likely to recover, an as yet unknown number of these individuals may experience chronic cognitive and neurobehavioral difficulties related to recurrent injury.

ImPACT© (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing)was developed by Doctor Maroon and his colleague, neuropsychologist Mark Lovell, Ph.D.  It is currently the world’s leading computer software system to evaluate brain function and concussion and is the standard for used to aid in determining concussion severity as well as if and when it is safe for an athlete to return to contact sports. This program has now been adopted by the NFL, NHL, NBA and many other professional, college and high schools throughout the United States and more recently by the DOD for soldiers in Iraq. This program can help medical personnel determine when a person has recovered from a concussion and can return to play (or duty) and reduce the risk of going back to soon and sustaining a potentially worse brain injury if another concussion were to occur.  

Disclaimer

Learn more about ImPACT Test Here 

Or go to www.impacttest.com The ImPACT Homepage 

Excellent Summary Article 

A big ImPACT: Concussion test aids in precaution
October 28, 2010
Altoona Mirror

Steelers’ Team Doctor Joseph Maroon Reacts To NFL Concussions
October 19, 2010
KDKA Radio 1020 Morning News Show

Brain experts develop game plan for football concussions
March 13, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

UPMC doctors developed stress test for brain
December 2, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

Other Concussion Related Media Articles 

Brain trauma up in youth basketball as other injuries drop
September 17, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Hockey will be next to focus on brain injuries
March 14, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Concussions in the National Football League
January 19, 2010
HBO: Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel

Football Head Injuries Plague Players for Life, Witnesses Tell Congressmen
January 4, 2010
All Headline News.com

Practicing again, Westbrook wants to play
December 10
Philadelphia Inquirer 

Peter King: Monday Morning QB: Are helmet mandates coming?
December 8
Sports Illustrated.com 

NFL Issues New Guidelines on Concussions
December 2, 2009
New York Times 

‘Tough’ issue: Concussion efforts by NFL face hurdles
December 2, 2009
USA Today 

Head cases: The NFL needs to get tough on concussions
December 2, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Editorial) 

UPMC doctors developed stress test for brain
December 2, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

Chuck Noll sparked concussion test
December 2, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 

Starkey: Ben, Hines and head injuries
December 2, 2009
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 

Concussions in the NFL Interview
December 1, 2009
KDKA Morning News Show 

Culture of hiding concussions may be changing
November 30, 2009
Associated Press 

As Signs of Concern Spread, NFL Revisits Concussions
November 29, 2009
New York Times 

Doctors see improvement in Eagles’ Westbrook after concussion
November 11, 2009
NFL.com 

Many Ohio Valley High Schools Using State-Of-The-Art Football Helmets
WTOV Channel 9 1:27 pm EST November 9, 2009 

Congress presses NFL commissioner on brain injuries 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wednesday, October 28, 2009 

N.F.L.’s Influence on Safety at Youth Levels Is Cited 

NY Times Published: October 29, 2009 

Hearing spotlights NFL concussions 

Post-Gazette Washington Bureau, Thursday, October 29, 2009  

Former Steeler Offers Testimony On Head Injuries
 KDKA, Oct 28, 2009 6:20 pm US/Eastern 

Key N.F.L. Concussion Committee Members Not on Witness List 

NY Times Published: October 27, 2009 

Congress tackling football brain injuries 

Post-Gazette Washington Bureau, Wednesday, October 28, 2009 

 

Download (PDF): Grade 1 or ‘Ding’ Concussions in High School Athletes 

Download (PDF): Interpreting Change on ImPACT Following Sports Concussion 

Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates-UPMC
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