Case Study: Psychoneuroendocrinology of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

BACKGROUND: The correlation between the endocrine system and cognitive functioning has been increasingly discussed in the literature in recent years, as a growing number of studies in this field emerge. Despite this growth in interest in this correlation, however, the topic still remains heavily under-explored especially in the case of female athletes who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. There exist many obstacles in acquiring relevant data to enrich this field of research, including, but not limited to, current medical approaches, difficulty in isolating neurological and psychological symptoms stemming from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), the dismissal of multidisciplinary and holistic approaches, as well as limited resources such as time and funding. Although interest has increased and been popularized in the last decade, limited research has been conducted and/or published to specifically explore, clarify, and connect mTBI recovery with endocrine (dys)function. METHODS: The current case study contributes to this topic and offers empirical data gathered through work with an mTBI participant with preexisting hormonal dysfunction. It describes the hormonal changes that precede and follow mTBI recovery in a female athlete, as well as her atypical recovery and long-term post-concussion symptoms. Data gathered includes hormonal charts, neurocognitive assessments, and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) assessments administered over a period of six years. RESULTS: Possible interaction of the hormonal changes and their importance in mTBI recovery are theorized in this study, as well as the possible impact that mTBI can have on endocrine functioning. CONCLUSION: The current report suggests a need for further research in the area of hormone function in females who have sustained a traumatic brain injury, even if mild in nature. On a case-by-case basis, there is clinical validity in assessing women who fail to recover from concussion in a timely manner via comprehensive hormonal evaluation and treatment combined with psychological, nutritional, and exercise interventions.