ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The University of Rochester Medical Center is involved in a collaborative study on pediatric concussions that is receiving $10 million in funding from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke.

The study is being led by UCLA and will focus on children ages 11-18.

More than 1,300 kids across the U.S. will be enrolled, including more than 200 from Rochester. Researchers will look to identify ways to predict which kids develop persistent symptoms after a concussion. 

“Prolonged concussion recovery can have an enormous impact on the lives of teens and pre-teens, often setting the stage for academic difficulties, persisting mood disorders, and chronic pain,” said Jeffrey Bazarian, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Emergency Medicine at URMC, who will lead the Rochester study site. “Early evaluation and treatment for kids at high risk for prolonged recovery is our best hope for preventing an acute injury from becoming chronic.”

They ultimately hope to develop an algorithm to help doctors diagnose and better treat concussions in children.