Michelle Keightley

Michelle Keightley

Associate Professor at University of Toronto · Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, Canada · Toronto

Biography

Dr. Keightley received her B.Sc. (Hons.) in Psychology from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology, with the Collaborative Program in Neuroscience, from the University of Toronto. Dr. Keightley is a registered Clinical Neuropsychologist in the province of Ontario.

Dr. Keightley is a Clinician Scientist at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation, where she directs the BrainFit Lab, and an Assistan Professor (status) within the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.

Her research program is focused on the identification, management and treatment of acquired brain injury (ABI) in pediatric populations. More specifically this research includes sports-related concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) as well as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Presentation Abstract

This presentation provides a brief background on concussion. Concussion amongst youth is the primary focus with discussion on how the composition and mechanical properties of the head and brain differ in youth compared to adults, and how these differences may influence our approach to concussion management. Methods for monitoring pediatric recovery following concussion are explored. Research findings specific to post-concussion symptoms, the neural impact (using DTI and fMRI), the physical impact (strength performance) and the sport-specific impacts (dual tasking) of concussion in youth athletes are presented. These findings demonstrate that children and youth may have less cognitive reserve following a concussion and therefore, have a poorer ability to compensate for injury, and that novel assessment techniques can reveal additional functional deficits in youth following concussion that warrant rehabilitation or retraining prior to returning to sport competition.

Learning Objectives

To generate discussion and interest surrounding the need for more exploration of concussion within the youth population.
To highlight the differences between the youth and adult brain, and related implications for concussion management.
To present research findings specific to post-concussion symptoms, the neural impact, the physical impact and the sport-specific impact of concussion in youth athletes.

Related Journal Articles

Cancelliere, C. Cassidy, J. D., Cote, P., Hincapie, C.A., Harvigsen, J., Carroll, L.J., Marras, C., Boyle, E., Kristman, V., Hung, R., Stalnacke, B-M., Rumney, P., Coronado, V., Holm, L., Borg, J., Nygren-de Boussard, N., Geijerstam, J.L. & Keightley, M. Protocol for a systematic review of prognosis after mild traumatic brain injury: an update of the WHO Collaborating Centre Task Force Findings. (2012). Systematic Reviews, (1)1-17.

Fait, P., McFadyen, B.J., Zabjek, K., Reed, N., Taha, T., Keightley, M. Increasing task complexity decreases ice hockey skill performance in youth athletes. (2011). Perceptual and Motor Skills, 112(1), 29-43.

Keightley, M.L., Green, S., Reed, N. Agnihotri, S., Wilkinson, A. & Lobaugh, N. An investigation of the effects of sports-related concussion in youth using functional magnetic resonance imaging and the Head Impact Telemetry System. (2011). Journal of Visualized Experiments, 47, http://www.jove.com/details.stp?id=2226 doi: 10.3791/2226.

Journal of Neurology & Neurophysiology