In our first issue of the BRAIN DISCOVERY SERIES, Ellie Menashe and I discuss the basics of a concussion. Due to poor definitions of what a brain injury is and a limited understanding of its short and long term impacts, we have lost a generation of people, who through no fault of their own, were not fully able to achieve their lifetime goals. 

This issue focuses on common questions asked, including:

• What is a concussion? What is the proper definition?

• What are the symptoms of a concussion?

• What are the signs of a concussion?

• What are the differences between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury?

• What are the mechanical forces and components of a concussion? What about the physiological basis?

Our new understanding of how the brain works and how it is injured, has allowed us to better classify and quantify brain injury and concussions.