Shaken Brain: The Science, Care, and Treatment of Concussion

A physician with over 25 years’ experience studying and treating concussion details what happens in the human brain when it is injured, and how medical providers can help, in this compassionate debut. A discipline still in its early stages, Sandel’s field draws from neuroscience, cytology, biomechanics, and neuroanatomy. She warns that the possible spectrum of symptoms is broad, so in addition to the obvious loss of consciousness and memory, headache, dizziness, lack of focus, and fatigue, there is also a panoply of secondary disorders and complications, including mood and cognitive disruptions and sensory and motor dysfunction, which may entail protracted recoveries. Emphasizing that it isn’t just athletes who need to worry, Sandel examines the high incidence of concussion among certain vulnerable populations, including the very young, elderly, homeless or impoverished, and victims of child abuse or domestic violence. To that end, she looks at prevention as a public health issue, calling for policy reforms—improved workplace standards, clinical care, and access to rehab services—to address it on an institutional level. Her expertly presented and researched work will be invaluable for anyone concerned about concussions. (Feb.)