World-Leading Concussion Research at AUT
Some facts will surprise you!
Sports injuries are commonly thought of as the most likely cause of concussion but, in fact, in the world only 3% of concussions happen to athletes.
That was just one of an astounding array of facts presented to the audience at the launch of a world-leading AUT-based programme which is investigating concussion in women.
An ongoing association with global healthcare technology company Abbott, the Women’s Health and Neuroscience research programme kicked off with more than 120 guests from community groups, national sports organisations, High Performance Sports New Zealand, AUT Millennium, Abbott, AUT and SPRINZ (New Zealand’s leading sports research institute).
The multi-year collaboration will transform how sports injuries are treated in the future, especially for female athletes. A vital component of the research is Abbott’s “blood detective”, a platform called the ARCHITECT® ci4100 analyser now doing its work in the AUT SPRINZ biochemistry lab at AUT Millennium.
AUT Professors Patria Hume and Alice Theadom have been instrumental in establishing the WHN programme and are working closely with guest of honour, Dr Beth McQuiston, Medical Director in Abbott’s diagnostics business.
Dr McQuiston talked about the prevalence and dangers of concussion, and why the research programme with AUT is so important. Among other stats, she revealed:
- Official figures show a staggering 70 million people around the world sustain a concussion every year
- However, the real number of concussions is estimated to be five to 20 times higher than that
- The highest rate of reported concussions is in Auckland (!), probably due to a combination of sporting injuries, quality of healthcare, and research programmes like those run at AUT that raise awareness of the need to get medical attention
- The number one cause of concussions is gravity, with Dr McQuiston highlighting the “menace known as e-scooters" and the dangers of texting and walking
- New Zealand is the centre of the neuroscience universe in terms of concussion research with AUT Professors Hume and Theadom acknowledged as global leaders
- While only 3% of concussions happen to athletes, they are more likely to have repeated concussions
Dr McQuiston explained that women have a much higher rate of concussion in contact sports than men, and have more symptoms for longer but, so far, little research has been done looking at women using biomarkers. The WHN programme aims to change all that.
Using a pinata analogy, she explained how the Abbott blood biomarker analyser can identify a concussion 10 minutes after injury using just two drops of blood. This can show very small proteins which should be in the brain but which have “dropped down” into the peripheral blood like candy from a pinata.
“With international leadership from Dr Patria and Dr Alice, and a network of researchers from AUT, Monash University, Otago University, the US and Europe, this is first-of-its-kind research. It’s ground-breaking, life-changing science and will be a game changer in how concussion is treated going forward.”
The first study is getting underway now, with the team recruiting 80 people who have not had a concussion and 1,000 who have, whether that be from sporting injuries, car crashes, or domestic violence. Participants will be tested monthly until recovery.
Dr McQuiston is a neuroscientist, licensed physician, registered dietitian and medical director for Abbott’s diagnostics business. She actively participates in the evaluation of a number of neuroscience-related biomarkers to be used in the evaluation, treatment and monitoring of disease. Her current area of focus includes research into biomarkers for use in traumatic brain injury, including concussions. She is a member of the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine TBI forum, has over 50 patents applied for or granted, is an inducted Fellow of Abbott Volwiler Society and has served on the executive committee of the Center for Nutrition Learning and Memory for several years.
Other speakers at the launch included AUT Millennium chief executive and former Olympian Mike Stanley, NZ Rugby’s injury prevention programme manager Manu Albert, AUT Vice Chancellor Damon Salesa, and AUT Tiriti Strategist Dr Valance Smith.
In addition to Professors Hume and Theadom, AUT academics leading the collaborative research team include Associate Professor Mangor Pedersen, Dr Ed Maunder, senior research associates Dr Doug King and Dr Stacy Sims, lecturer Dr Chris Puli-uvea, post-doctoral fellow Christi Essex, research officer Maggie Sandleback, and research operations senior manager Scott Crawford.
For information about the studies and to learn how to get involved, visit Women’s health and neuroscience research programme - SPRINZ - AUT or contact brain@aut.ac.nz