Hackensack Meridian Childrens Health Pediatric Neurologist Studying Concussion Recovery in Children

Pediatric neurologist Felicia Gliksman, D.O., MPH, FAAN is serving as principal  investigator and investigator for two studies related to recovery from brain injury. 

The first study is funded by a two-year, $180,000 grant from the New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research.  In this study, titled, “Speech Indicators of Dysfunction and Recovery following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury,” Dr. Gliksman, who is an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the School of Medicine,  and Sona Patel, PhD, who is an assistant professor of Neurology, are studying changes in brain function. It is hypothesized that changes in speech characteristics will correspond with changes in behavioral, cognitive, neurological, physical, psychological, and sleep-related symptoms, and that these symptoms will recover to baseline function with time. Age and the severity of injury will help to determine the pace of recovery. 

The second study is titled “Speech as an Indicator of Concussion Severity and Recovery in Pediatrics.” This study will use speech technology to determine whether changes in speech characteristics correspond with changes in behavioral, cognitive, neurological, physical, psychological and sleep-related concussion symptoms in children. The goal of the study is to understand how speech in children may be impacted after a concussion and develop ways to detect injury and monitor recovery.

This study, which started in April 2022, will also analyze speech and recovery patterns in older children compared to younger children, as well as children who sustained a severe injury compared to children who sustained a mild injury. 

About Dr. Gliksman

Dr. Gliksman was recently recognized as a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.  The AAN fellow designation recognizes special achievement in the neurosciences.  Applicants must be certified in neurology, or neurology with special qualification in Child Neurology, by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.