University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program
Contact Information:
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Mark Lovell, PhD, ABN
Director, UPMC Sports Concussion Program
Director, NFL & NHL Neuropsychology ProgramsMichael Collins, PhD
Assistant Director, UPMC Sports Concussion ProgramJamie Pardini, PhD
Neuropsychologist3200 S. Water Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone: (412) 432-3681600 Oxford Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: (412) 432-3681
Website: http://sportsmedicine.upmc.com/ConcussionProgram.htm
About the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
At the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, a leading team of neuropsychologists, neurosurgeons, and scientific researchers has developed a comprehensive approach to explore, understand, prevent, and treat injuries associated with a severe blow to the head or neck. Through the center's Concussion Program, approaches have been designed to help prevent sports-related concussions, understand any long-term effects on an athlete, and determine when it is safe for that athlete to return to play following a concussion.
Dr. Jamie Pardini can be seen at
UPMC SPORTS CONCUSSION CLINIC in MONROEVILLE:
600 Oxford Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: (412) 432-3681
UPMC SPORTS CONCUSSION CLINIC in BETHEL PARK:
1300 Oxford Drive
Bethel Park, PA 15102
Phone: (412) 432-3681
ImPACT History:
UPMC concussion experts have helped to develop a computerized testing system to evaluate the severity of concussions in athletes. Known as ImPACT (Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), the system helps to provide a more accurate determination of when an athlete who has had a concussion can safely return to active contact sports.
ImPACT is being used by several professional, college, and high school sports teams around the United States as part of studies funded by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Academy of Neuropsychology.
With ImPACT, doctors can conduct 20-minute preseason computer evaluations to establish baseline data about each athlete. If an athlete experiences a concussion during the season, he or she is retested and the postconcussion data is compared to the baseline data. When the athlete's brain functions return to normal, he or she is then allowed to resume the sports activity.
Local Articles:
UPMC doctors developed stress test for brain
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
December 03, 2009
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09337/1018076-114.stm
Head Cases: The NFL needs to get tough on concussions
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
December 03, 2009
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09337/1018040-192.stm
