This study examined the impact of multiple mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) acquired over a lifetime on executive functioning and symptoms of depression in young college students. Twenty-nine students with 2 or more mTBIs and twenty-nine without mTBIs completed online surveys assessing concussion history and current cognitive and mood symptoms. Results found that as the number of concussions increased, students reported more problems with tasks such as switching between tasks, starting tasks, manipulating information, and monitoring successes and failures. Students with mTBIs also reported more cognitive and depressive symptoms than those without mTBIs. The findings suggest that multiple mTBIs over a lifetime may be associated with subtle cognitive and emotional impacts in young college students.

1. Kyle C. Vynorius, Alyssa M. Paquin, & Daniel R. Seichepine
Neuropsychology Laboratory, University of New Hampshire at Manchester
INTRODUCTION
 Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been associated with
a range of acute and long-term cognitive and emotional
difficulties.
 To date, no studies have examined the impact of a lifetime
accumulation of mTBIs on cognition and mood in a sample
of young adults who were not elite athletes or military
personnel.
 The present study examined the impact of multiple mTBIs
acquired over a lifetime on executive functioning and
symptoms of depression in young healthy college students.
METHODS
Participants
DISCUSSION
 Consistent with the literature in elite athletes and military
personnel, mTBIs acquired over a lifetime were associated
with cognitive and executive functioning complaints and
symptoms of depression in young healthy college students.
 Specifically, for executive functioning as the number of
concussions increased, individuals experienced more
problems with their ability to switch between tasks, start
tasks, manipulate cognitive information, and monitor task
successes and failures.
 These findings suggest that multiple mTBIs acquired over
a lifetime may be associated with subtle cognitive and
emotional symptoms in otherwise young healthy college
students.
Lifetime Multiple Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries are
Associated with Cognitive and Mood Symptoms in
Young Healthy College Students
 Twenty-nine undergraduate students without an mTBI
history (Female=25) and twenty-nine with 2 or more mTBIs
(Female=23) participated in this study.
(Mean age = 22.85 years, SD = 4.88)
 Participants were excluded if they were: under the age of 18;
non-fluent English speakers; or have a history other
neurological conditions or cancer.
 Participants were provided a description of mTBI consistent
with the American Academy of Neurology’s current
guideline.
 The following mTBI definition was provided:
“There is a misconception that concussions (also known as
“mild traumatic brain injury”) only happen when you lose
consciousness after being hit on the head or when the
symptoms last for a long time. However, a concussion
occurs anytime you have an impact to the head that causes
neurological symptoms for any amount of time (e.g. seconds
or longer). Common symptoms of concussion include:
sensitivity to light or noise, headache, dizziness, balance
problems, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, fatigue,
confusion, difficulty remembering, difficulty concentrating,
or loss of consciousness.”
E-mail for Kyle C. Vynorius: kcv1000@wildcats.unh.edu
METHODS (contd.)
Online Concussion Survey
 Participants completed an online self-report survey. The
survey assessed basic demographic variables, mTBI history
and current cognitive and mood symptoms as measured by
the following tests.
 Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Adult
version (BRIEF-A): 75-item self-report measure of problematic
behavior during the past month. The BRIEF-A yields an overall
score as well as the following:
 Global Executive Composite (GEC): Summary score that
incorporates all clinical scales of the BRIEF-A
 Behavior Regulation Index (BRI): Ability to maintain
control of behavior and emotional responses
 Inhibit - ability to inhibit an impulse
 Shift - ability to switch focus between tasks
 Emotional Control - ability to control emotional
responses
 Self-Monitor - ability to monitor one’s own behavior
 Metacognition Index (MI): Ability to solve problem by
planning and organization through active working memory
 Initiate - ability to independently start tasks
 Working Memory - ability to actively manipulate
cognitive information
 Plan/Organize - ability to manage current and future
tasks
 Task Monitor - ability to monitor one’s task successes
and failures
 Organization of Materials - ability to organize living
space
 Cognitive Complaint Index (CCI): 20-item self-report measure
of change in cognitive function over the past five years
 Cognitive measurements include but are not limited to:
recalling information, organizing information, reasoning
skills, problem Solving skills, verbally expressing emotions
 Beck Depression Inventory, second edition (BDI-II): 21-item
self-report measure of symptoms of depression
• Measures the following: sadness, pessimism, irritability,
concentration, and energy
RESULTS
Correlations Between Number of mTBIs and
scores on the CCI, BRIEF-A, and BDI-II
 Participants with mTBI history compared to those
without endorsed significantly more symptoms on the
CCI (p<.01), BRIEF-A (p<.05), and BDI (p<.05).
 In individuals with mTBIs, the number of injuries
significantly correlated with scores on the
CCI (rho=.64, p<.01), BRIEF-A (rho=.47, p<.01),
and the BDI-II (rho=.53, p<.01).
*= p<.05; **= p≤.01