T97tab,

Your experience is very common. The basic neurological test will rarely show any problems. The neurologist likely did not do a complete neuro assessment. They often fail to do the MMSE (Mini Mental State Exam) to evaluate his cognitive issues. The MRI will also be a waste of time. A better evaluation would be with a neuro-psychologist. Taking the ImPACT test or CNS Vitals Signs test can also tell you a bit about his condition.

Without a baseline, the tests can only be compared to others his age. They can be taken online then the results forwarded to the specialist of your choice. Google ImPACT test and look for a practitioner in your area to send the results to.

The upper cervical chiropractor can help. The whiplash can effect the cervical nerves that effect lots of functions.

Do not be surprised if you can not find a medical doctor with a good understanding of concussion.

You might want to be careful about getting worthless consults. If he gets too many comments of 'somatoform' or 'malingering' in his medical record, doctors will dismiss his symptoms even further.

As other said, concussion symptoms can manifest many days later. Up to six weeks is not uncommon. The brain tries to recover. At some point, it self diagnoses the cells that are damaged. It then sends out a suicide signal, Some think this is done with tRNA (transmitting RNA). The malfunctioning cells will die and be absorbed by the body.

Studies have shown that initial serious damage will not show up on a CT Scan until the third day or so. It is rare for a CT to be administered at day three so imaging of the concussion is rare.

Unless you are near a high Tesla MRI clinic like Chicago or Portland and a few other places, you will just be wasting you time and money. You need at 6 Tesla or higher resolution to image concussion damage. If he has a sudden onset of severe head pain, the normal 1.5 Tesla MRI or CT Scan will be adequate to show a brain bleed. This is unlikely at this time for him.

He needs to be extremely careful to avoid any risk of a second impact for at least three months. After than, he should still not play contact sports or engage in risky activities.

IMPORTANT,

Go to www.tbiguide.com and download Dr Glen Johnson's TBI Survival Guide. Print it out. It is the best explanation of what is happening to your son. Have the whole family read it.

If he is still attending school, he will likely need help with test taking. He will need more time and a quiet environment. He may also do better with an oral exam. I need to use a blank sheet of paper to cover the text above and below the problem I am trying to answer. Otherwise, my mind will try to mix up the questions.

Tell him he is not alone. Many have gone before him.

My best to you.