CHOP Researchers Find Branched Chain Amino Acid Supplementation May Aid in Concussion Recovery
PHILADELPHIA, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the first clinical trial of a targeted pharmacologic therapeutic for mild traumatic brain injury in pediatric patients, scientists from the Minds Matter Concussion Frontier Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have found preliminary evidence that adolescents and young adults with concussion who take a specific formulation of branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements after injury experience faster symptom reduction and return to physical activity. The findings were published online by the Journal of Neurotrauma.
- The mainstay of treatment remains symptom management with temporary modification of cognitive and physical activity and over the counter medication.
- Although active rehabilitation strategies have shown promise for improving recovery time, including aerobic, vestibular, and vision interventions, these can be time and labor intensive.
- To date, no targeted pharmacologic intervention to improve clinical outcomes in concussion has been evaluated in humans.
- However, prior to this study, no human studies involving adolescents and young adults have assessed the potential benefits of this formulation of BCAAs as a specific treatment to aid in concussion recovery.