Researchers in the Center for Sport Concussion Research and Service at Penn State are hosting a conference from Oct. 11-12 at the Penn State University Park campus. Titled "Concussion in Athletics: From Brain to Behavior," the conference will provide an overview of the current understanding of the causes, risk factors and treatments of sport-related concussions.

The Center for Sport Concussion Research and Service, a new Penn State Center, will advance research on sport-related concussions and provide services to local collegiate and child athletes in the form of baseline assessments that can aid in diagnosing concussions and tracking recovery. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 1.3 million people in the U.S. sustain concussions -- mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) -- each year, and about a half-million children aged 0 to 14 years make visits to the emergency department for all forms of TBI each year. "Concussions are extremely prevalent in the population and are especially common among athletes," said Semyon Slobounov, professor of kinesiology and director of the new center.