University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program

Contact Information:

  • Mark Lovell, PhD, ABN
    Director, UPMC Sports Concussion Program
    Director, NFL & NHL Neuropsychology Programs

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    Michael Collins, PhD
    Assistant Director, UPMC Sports Concussion Program

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    Jamie Pardini, PhD
    Neuropsychologist

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    3200 S. Water Street
    Pittsburgh, PA 15203
    Phone: (412) 432-3681

    600 Oxford Drive
    Monroeville, PA 15146
    Phone: (412) 432-3681

   Website:  http://sportsmedicine.upmc.com/ConcussionProgram.htm

 

3200 S. Water Street Pittsburgh PA

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