DHA For The Treatment of Pediatric Concussion Related to Sports Injury

Summary

In recent years, media attention has focused on the long-term sequelae of repeated concussive episodes in professional athletes. The growing understanding of the damage done by what was once considered a "ding" during a game or match, and the neurologic consequences of "playing through" or returning to play too soon has led to additional interest in and concern for pediatric athletes (18 or under) who experience sports-related concussions during game or practice play.

Because it has only been in recent years that the full scope of damage done by repeated concussive episodes has come to light, very little research has been done on treatment of concussion in either adults or children. Brain injuries in children can be especially problematic, as the brain may continue to develop until the child reaches the age of 24 or older, so concussion during this time of development may be particularly damaging.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid commonly found in both fish oils and algae. DHA is known to improve development of the eyes and brain in young children. It is thought to be an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, and since it occurs naturally and causes very few harmful side effects, it may be a useful compound in the treatment of pediatric concussion.

This is a feasibility trial of DHA for the treatment of sports concussion in a pediatric population. The investigators' primary aim is to determine acceptability of randomization for this compound as well as rate of enrollment given our clinical population. The investigators' secondary aim is to examine preliminary outcomes. The investigators hypothesize that subjects who take 2 g of DHA daily for 3 months will see a shorter time to full recovery and return to play and a shorter time to resolve balance disturbance. These are good, albeit unvalidated, clinical indicators of concussive recovery.

Conditions

• Concussion
• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Interventions

DRUG

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Subjects presenting with a new concussion within 4 days of their initial injury will be identified and screened for eligibility from the investigators' regularly scheduled clinic patients. Subjects who enroll will complete 5 scheduled visits, although additional visits may be clinically indicated for symptom evaluation and treatment. All assessments done for this study are routinely done as part of the standard clinic visits for concussion at the Sports Medicine Center. Subjects will be randomized to either DHA or placebo in a 1:1 ratio, and receive enough DHA or placebo capsules to reach the target dose of 2 g of DHA per day (or placebo) until the day of their next appointment. Subjects will be instructed to take 4 capsules (2 at breakfast and 2 at dinner) for 12 weeks.

DRUG

Placebo

Subjects presenting with a new concussion within 4 days of their initial injury will be identified and screened for eligibility from the investigators' regularly scheduled clinic patients. Subjects who enroll will complete 5 scheduled visits, although additional visits may be clinically indicated for symptom evaluation and treatment. All assessments done for this study are routinely done as part of the standard clinic visits for concussion at the Sports Medicine Center. Subjects will be randomized to either DHA or placebo in a 1:1 ratio, and receive enough DHA or placebo capsules to reach the target dose of 2 g of DHA per day (or placebo) until the day of their next appointment. Subjects will be instructed to take 4 capsules (2 at breakfast and 2 at dinner) for 12 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Children's Medical Center Dallas

  collaborator OTHER

• Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Shane Miller, MD · University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

14 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2013-09-30

Primary Completion

2017-08-31

Completion

2017-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations