Prominent UT Southwestern researchers provide insight into head injury, brain function connection
The DKR Fund presented a free public lecture on Saturday, September 21st at Austin High School. The DKR Fund Fall Speaker Series addressed the topic of head injury among athletes and measures for safer play. Field experts Hunt Batjer, M.D., chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Munro Cullum, Ph.D., chief of psychology and director of neuropsychology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, led the conversation.
Board member Ava Late of Austin said, “Presenting an esteemed scientist for the first DKR Fund lecture was our goal. To have two such leaders in their fields agree to come to Austin was an acknowledgement to the commitment of Mrs. Edith Royal and a tribute to the memory of Coach Royal. Sports safety and injury outcomes for both the short and long term are incredibly timely topics.”
Dr. Batjer, co-chair of the NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee, discussed his research on head injury in professional and amateur sports. Dr. Cullum presented his study on the relationship between early life concussions and brain function with aging.
The lecture was a great opportunity for the public, especially athletes and their parents, to learn more about neurological safety in sports led by the state’s top experts in the field.