Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2022 Mar;22(3):219-228.
doi: 10.1007/s11910-022-01184-9. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Neuro-Visual and Vestibular Manifestations of Concussion and Mild TBI

Nicholas E F Hac  1 , Daniel R Gold  2
Affiliations
Review

Neuro-Visual and Vestibular Manifestations of Concussion and Mild TBI

Nicholas E F Hac et al. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion, is a major cause of disability. Vestibular and visual dysfunction following concussion is common and can negatively affect patients' well-being and prolong recovery. Etiologies of visual and vestibular symptoms are numerous, including ocular, neuro-ophthalmic, otologic, and neuro-vestibular conditions. Some etiologies are benign and may be treatable, while others are potentially vision or life-threatening, making a focused history and examination essential. This review offers an approach to the evaluation and treatment of the most common neuro-visual and vestibular impairments that may result from concussion.

Recent findings: Treatment of concussion including exercise, computerized programs, transcranial magnetic stimulation, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and nanoparticles has shown promise. Many novel therapies are in the pipework for visual and vestibular recovery after concussion; however, the treatment mainstay remains therapy and evaluation for co-existing diseases.

Keywords: Concussion; Dizziness; Post-concussive syndrome; Traumatic brain injury; Vestibular disorder; Visual disorder.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Report to congress on mild traumatic brain injury in the United States: epidemiology and rehabilitation. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention; 2015.
    1. Chamelian L, Feinstein A. Outcome after mild to moderate traumatic brain injury: the role of dizziness. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85(10):1662–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2004.02.012 . - DOI - PubMed
    1. Denby E, Murphy D, Busuttil W, Sakel M, Wilkinson D. Neuropsychiatric outcomes in UK military veterans with mild traumatic brain injury and vestibular dysfunction. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2020;35(1):57–65. https://doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000468 . - DOI - PubMed
    1. Greenwald BD, Kapoor N, Singh AD. Visual impairments in the first year after traumatic brain injury. Brain Inj. 2012;26(11):1338–59. https://doi.org/10.3109/02699052.2012.706356 . - DOI - PubMed
    1. Shaw NA. The neurophysiology of concussion. Prog Neurobiol. 2002;67(4):281–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-0082(02)00018-7 . - DOI - PubMed

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources