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[p7 align=center]Concussions are in the national spotlight for the damage being done to student and professional athletes. Determining when an athlete should be removed from play is a major challenge in preventing injury. Athletes routinely deny symptoms.[/p7]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 1.6 and 3.8 million students have concussions every year. In an effort to bring awareness and increase concussion screening, Mayo Clinic has agreed to a licensing agreement with King-Devick Test Inc., which has developed a proven indicator of ocular motor, visual and cognitive function for concussion detection and evaluation on the sidelines of sporting events to help with the decision to sideline athletes to prevent injury.

Under the terms of the agreement, King-Devick and Mayo Clinic will form a scientific governance committee and Mayo will have membership on the company’s board of directors. Packaging for the test will indicate it is offered in association with Mayo Clinic. Revenue Mayo receives will be used to support its nonprofit mission in patient care, education and research.

The King-Devick Test is a quick, accurate and objective concussion screening tool that can be administered on the sidelines by parents, coaches, athletic trainers, school nurses and medical professionals, and a Mayo Clinic study indicated it detects concussions and possible ‘silent’ concussions.

Youth athletes are at a higher risk for concussion and a longer recovery time than adults,” says David Dodick, M.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist and director of Mayo Clinic’s concussion program who studied its use in high school hockey players. “Our studies show this test detects potential brain injuries in athletes who have not reported symptoms of concussion. We are committed to making sports safer through our comprehensive concussion program and Sports Medicine Center. While concussion testing doesn’t eliminate concussions, it can guide return-to-play decisions and minimize complications and more serious neurological injuries that may occur with a repeat concussion.

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Our studies show this test detects potential brain injuries in athletes who have not reported symptoms of concussion. We are committed to making sports safer through our comprehensive concussion program and Sports Medicine Center. While concussion testing doesn’t eliminate concussions, it can guide return-to-play decisions and minimize complications and more serious neurological injuries that may occur with a repeat concussion.

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It’s a privilege to be associated with the premier health care brand in the world,” says Steve Devick, Founder and CEO of King-Devick Test. “This agreement will help us accomplish our goal of having a tool on the sidelines to help determine ‘remove from play’ for athletes to prevent further injury and be referred to qualified professionals for follow up care.

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Read the complete press release here.

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