Functional MRI (fMRI) scans uncovered that women might have a harder time than men recovering after a concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). A new study discussing these findings was published online in the journal Radiology.

Dr. Chi-Jen Chen of Taipei Medical University Shuang-Ho Hospital and Chia-Yi Hospital in Taiwan and his fellow researchers gathered 30 patients with MTBI and 30 control patients to analyze brain activation patterns during working memory tasks.

Each of the patients underwent fMRI exams within one month after their injury as well as a follow-up exam six weeks after the initial exam. They also underwent neuropsychological tests including the digit span — measures how many numbers they can remember in a sequence — and the continuous performance test — measures their sustained and selective attention and impulsivity.
The initial fMRI exams revealed that among the MTBI patients, the men experienced increased activation in working memory brain circuits and the women experienced decreased activation, compared to the control group. The follow-up scans showed that the men had normal activation patterns but the women still had persistent hypoactivation.

“These findings provide evidence that female gender may be a risk factor for working memory impairment after MTBI,” Chen said in a statement. “If so, more aggressive management should be initiated once MTBI is diagnosed in female patients.”

Chen believes that since fMRI may be able to detect working memory impairment, predict outcomes and monitor the effect of treatment, incorporating it into treatment protocol for MTBI “may be advisable in the future.” But he did mention that more research is required to confirm these preliminary findings.

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