Co-occurrence of depression and concussion worsens symptoms in collegiate athletes
By Ella Webster. This article was initially published in the 1/9/25 edition of our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.
A study by Owen Griffith et al. highlights that the co-occurrence of concussion and depression is “associated with significantly worse symptoms for both conditions.” Despite overlapping symptoms, these conditions are often treated independently, overlooking their additive effects; awareness of this connection could improve clinical outcomes, as highlighted by Aaron Wagner in a Pennsylvania State University press release. In the study published in Science Direct, neuropsychological screenings, and EEG recordings revealed that athletes with both a history of concussion and depression had significantly more disrupted brain connectivity and nearly double the reported symptoms of depression compared to those with either condition alone.
The researchers measured alpha waves, commonly known as “meditation waves,” via EEG to assess functional connectivity. Alpha waves, indicative of relaxed but awake states, provided a stable measure of neural activity. Those study participants with a history of concussion and a depression diagnosis had more abnormal alpha-band coherence than the healthy control group and study participants with a single diagnosis (either concussion or depression). In other words, the athletes with both conditions had greater disruption of functional connectivity; they had greater “disrupted synchronization of electrical activity between brain areas that generally fire closely together.”
Owen Griffith et al. examined 35 collegiate athletes across four groups: controls with no history of concussion or depression, those with a history of concussion only, those with depression only, and those with both conditions. The results of this EEG study suggest that individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions may require specialized and comprehensive concussion treatment plans, including adjusted recovery timelines. The study reinforces the need to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to concussion management, focusing on personalized care to enhance long-term health outcomes for athletes and the general population.
