Pittsburgh, December 1, 2009 -- Joseph Maroon, MD --world renown specialist in the treatment of injuries and diseases of the brain and spine -- was a special guest on the KDKA Radio Morning News Show with Larry Richert, December 1, discussing concussions and post-concussion symptoms.

Team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a noted sports medicine expert, Dr. Maroon has received wide-spread media attention in recent weeks for his prominent role in helping provide advanced neurological care for athletes, in general, and for his care of Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in particular.

In October, Dr. Maroon -- a member of the National Football League's Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee -- testified before the United States House Judiciary Committee on the the diagnosis, treatment and return to play decisions in the NFL regarding players suffering concussions.

Dr. Maroon was heavily involved in the development of the world’s first computerized sports concussion evaluation system, ImPACT™ (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing), a tool used by team doctors and athletic trainers to help determine the severity of a concussion and when it is safe for an athlete to return to play following injury.

He and colleagues began researching and developing neurocognitive testing methods with the Steelers during the 1980s under a directive put before them by then-Steeler coach Chuck Noll (see related Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article). These methods are now widely used throughout professional, collegiate and high school sports and are re-defining the standard of care for managing sports-related concussions.

Other Recent Concussion-Related Media Mentions:

Peter King: Monday Morning QB: Are helmet mandates coming?
December 8
Sports Illustrated.com

NFL Issues New Guidelines on Concussions
December 2
New York Times

'Tough' issue: Concussion efforts by NFL face hurdles
December 2
USA Today

Head cases: The NFL needs to get tough on concussions
December 2
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Editorial)

UPMC doctors developed stress test for brain
December 2
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Chuck Noll sparked concussion test
December 2
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Starkey: Ben, Hines and head injuries
December 2
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Culture of hiding concussions may be changing
November 30
Associated Press

As Signs of Concern Spread, NFL Revisits Concussions
November 29
New York Times

NFL’s Influence on Safety at Youth Levels Is Cited
October 29
New York Times