Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

Sports concussion is a major problem affecting thousands of people in North America every year. In the US alone, epidemiological studies indicate that there are 1.6 to 3.8 million sport-related concussions occurring annually. Because concussions in sports are a problem of such magnitude, they are considered an epidemic and greater public attention is finally being paid to the problems of athletes with persistent problems secondary to sports concussions. This scientific café, animated by former Alouette football player and Montreal CKAC animator, Mr. Michel Grégoire, will gather three neuroscientists highly involved in sports concussion research. Dr. Maryse Lassonde, a neuropsychological consultant with the Montreal Canadiens, will present the memory and attention problems related to sports concussions. Dr Hugo Théoret will discuss the longterm motor difficulties that affect athletes who had concussions and finally, Dr. Louis de Beaumont will discuss how genetics may influence the outcome. These presentations should open up a discussion on the need for better regulations of violence in sports.