The American Medical Association adopted several policies Nov. 16, 2016 aimed at increasing research efforts into head injuries.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Willarda V. Edwards, MD, an AMA board member said, "With hundreds of thousands of Americans – including approximately 250,000 children under age 19 – sustaining concussions each year, it is vital that we research the full continuum of head impacts."
2. Dr. Edwards added research into the causes, prevention and detection of chronic traumatic encephalopathy are critical.
3. The adopted policies encourage the development of diagnostic tools.
4. During an interim meeting on Nov. 12, 2016, the AMA honored Bennett I. Omalu, MD, with the Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Omalu discovered CTE in American football players. He made the discovery while working at a coroner's office. He recognized abnormalities in several NFL players who had underwent a personality change or a cognitive disorder before dying young.
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