COVER STORY
AI Can Accurately Identify Changes in Brain Structure Related to Head Injury in Student Athletes
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An artificial intelligence computer program that processes magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) can accurately identify changes in brain structure that result from repeated head injury , a new study in student athletes shows . These variations have not been captured by other traditional medical images such as computerized tomography ( CT ) scans . The new technology , researchers say , may help design new diagnostic tools to better understand subtle brain injuries that accumulate over time .
Experts have long known about potential risks of concussion among young athletes , particularly for those who play high-contact sports such as football , hockey , and soccer . Evidence is now mounting that repeated head impacts , even if they at first appear mild , may add up over many years and lead to cognitive loss . While advanced MRI identifies microscopic changes in brain structure that result from head trauma , researchers say the scans produce vast amounts of data that is difficult to navigate .