One of the challenges of managing athletes with sport-related concussion (SRC) is guiding\nthem to a safe return to play. A potential biomarker for use in the clinical assessment of recovery is\nthe analysis of brain activation patterns during task-related functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging\n(fMRI). However, fMRI studies have provided conflicting results regarding what is pathological.\nAn element that can contribute to this disagreement are hemodynamic impairments of the brain\nthat follow a concussion. A functional neuroimaging technique based on the optical properties of\nbrain tissueââ?¬â?called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)ââ?¬â?can be used to evaluate SRC\nathletes, partially taking into consideration these brain hemodynamic impairments. However, so\nfar, fNIRS has not been extensively used in concussion. In this critical review, there is a description\nof the main fMRI results involving the neocortex in acutely concussed patients, the influences of\nhemodynamic impairments on fMRI and fNIRS and the advantages and disadvantages of fNIRS to\nlimit this influence.
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