Baseline concussion testing

Baseline testing is like a pre-season physical of the brain. It enables us to record an athlete's normal neurological state. If an athlete has a concussion, we can test their brain function again to know when they are back at that baseline and they can safely return to activity.

We treat each concussion individually. Testing includes the computerized ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) test, a balance assessment and an individual neurologic history.

ImPACT is a 20-minute computerized test of factors including reaction time, memory and attention span. It also gathers data on a patient’s physical characteristics, concussion history and neurological profile. This includes any history of disorders that can affect recovery from concussion, such as learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and autism.

One exercise asks participants to remember a word list and recall those words later. Another requires participants to press a certain key depending on the shape shown on a screen.

We offer testing at three clinic locations at the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute on our main campus, Medical Center East.

Call the Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center hotline at (615) 875-8722 (VSCC from an on-campus phone) to schedule an appointment. Out-of-pocket cost for the test is $30.