Beyond the NFL: The Urgent Case for Routine Brain Injury Testing

While professional athletes benefit from rigid monitoring systems, the general population lacks similar access to standardized care after car crashes, falls, or workplace accidents. Dr. Jeremy Hertza, medical director at All Things Neuro, argues that many symptoms of trauma are reversible with timely intervention. The challenge remains that most people never receive an objective assessment unless they are part of a high-profile sports program.

To bridge this gap, the telehealth service Braincussion provides standardized testing for living patients to identify signs of concussion or traumatic brain injury. Founder Gairy Johnson emphasizes that the priority should be early evaluation rather than waiting for symptoms to become debilitating. By integrating with platforms like SmartAdvocate, the service aims to streamline how legal and medical professionals track cognitive health from the initial intake phase. While CTE remains a post-mortem diagnosis, consistent testing for living patients serves as a critical step in securing appropriate care before long-term damage sets in.