A new London concussion clinic will provide public access to sophisticated brain scanning technology for the first time.
Trauma and concussion patients can now access detailed insights into the impact of the injury on their brain health. These insights can be used to monitor and accelerate their recovery.
The clinic is operated by brain and mental health experts Re:Cognition Health, in collaboration with brain wellness startup MYndspan.
Each year, 1.4 million people attend emergency departments in England and Wales with a traumatic brain injury.
A new concussion clinic launched by cognitive health provider Re:Cognition Health – in collaboration with brain and wellness analytics company MYndspan – will now provide patients with access to state-of-the-art brain scanning technology for the first time.
With concussion incidents rising in the UK, the clinic’s technology and team of brain health experts will identify, monitor and treat brain trauma in members of the public more effectively than has ever been possible before.
Concussion accounts for 1.2% of all emergency department visits in England and Wales, with many more incidents going unreported. Severe cases can have long-term impact on mood, cognition and physical wellbeing. Repeated concussion, most commonly experienced by athletes, has been linked to a higher risk of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
Earlier identification and ongoing monitoring are essential to reducing the risk of long-term consequences.
Transforming outcomes for brain trauma patients
After an initial assessment at Re:Cognition Health’s London centre, patients can be referred to MYndspan’s Birmingham scanning site to undergo a brain scan and assessment.
The scan will be carried out using Magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology, a non-invasive procedure that has previously only been available to research participants and in clinical settings.
MEG scans measure electrical signals between neurons to form a highly detailed map of brain activity. Analysis of the patient’s scan is coupled with data from app-based tests of cognitive functions (including attention and memory) to produce a report detailing the complete picture of their brain health.
From this data, the patient is provided with a personalised treatment plan, involving follow-up checks and consultations with Re:Cognition Health’s expert clinicians.
Dr Steve Allder, Consultant Neurologist at Re:Cognition Health, comments:
“Re:Cognition Health is thrilled to launch the concussion pathway to empower patients to manage their treatment and optimise recovery. Head injury and concussion are a growing concern in the UK and we are proud to be at the forefront, providing leading-edge diagnostics and treatment pathways to help patients with their brain health. We are also passionate about continuing our mission in raising awareness about the risks of concussion and providing information to help reduce the risk, particularly in contact sports.”
Caitlin Baltzer, Co-founder and COO at MYndspan comments:
"As a UK-based company, we are proud to be at the forefront of translating the world-leading research base in neurotechnology into tangible benefits for people with brain injuries. The clinical promise of MEG in managing mTBI has been well-documented, and we are excited to help people along their treatment pathways, demonstrating the UK's continued leadership in this field.
Concussion has long been considered the silent epidemic, and it poses a significant challenge for those who suffer due to the lack of objective assessments. Re:Cognition Health is rising to this challenge, and the team is committed to supporting those who suffer from post-concussive syndrome where traditional healthcare pathways struggle. Working with countless athletes, Re:Cognition Health has seen firsthand the impact of concussion on people’s lives – we are proud to champion them as they pioneer this next phase in brain health and its treatment."
