Concussion, also referred to as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a neurological disorder that causes
disability in children and predisposes them to challenges later in life, including significant physical, cognitive,
and psychological disability. The trigeminal nerve extends from the central nervous system to innervate the
greater portion of face and eye, and may offer insight into head trauma pathophysiology. In particular, painful
sensitivity to light (photophobia), corneal nerve pathology, and atypical functional activity within the brain have
all been reported in preliminary work evaluating persons with mTBI and trigeminal nerve pathology. Our overall
hypothesis is that the trigeminal nerve is sensitive to mTBI and accounts for pain-related symptomatology. To
test this hypothesis, in aim 1, we will define trigeminal nerve pathology in persons with mTBI using quantitative
sensory testing (QST), in vivo corneal nerve microscopy (IVCM), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In aim 2,
we will define central nervous system changes to light-induced pathways with mTBI-related photophobia using
fMRI and DTI. This study is likely to yield (1) a diagnostic marker that is sensitive to mTBI, (2) evince a
neurological source of mTBI-related pain symptoms. Data generated from this investigation can be used to
improve the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients suffering from head trauma and provide an
objective marker to base clinical decision making.