UCSF has some of the best surgeons on the west coast if not the world. They have a better reputation than Stanford just down the road for some specialties. I used to live in San Jose and researched UCSF for my own neurological needs. When a Concussion Clinic is based out of a Spine and Brain Injury Clinic, the specialists are 'taking a step down' from their specialty of severe coma based brain trauma. The standards for recovery from severe coma brain trauma often are far more debilitating that the worse case of Post Concussion Syndrome. UCSF is well know for their treatment of severe coma brain trauma.

I would go see Dr Amen's clinic in Walnut Creek before spending time and money at a concussion clinic. I have researched concussion clinics all across the country. They all ( almost to the last one that I have researched) base their protocols on the Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport: the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2008. This statement is seriously compromised by committee consensus. The sports medicine industry has been constantly watering down the concussion issues. The treatments suggested are weak. The UCSF clinic is a proponent of the ImPACT system without qualification.

They also put too much credence in the CDC and Sports Medicine Association standards. Even the Federal government has not been able to put together a diagnostic criteria for what a concussion is.

My recommendation for someone willing to travel would be Dr Robert Cantu in Concord Massachusetts. There are others closer but he is the best. Dr Walker in Texas is also very good. There are some doctors affiliated with the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation who sound good. By his writings, there appears to be a good doctor in Tasmania, Australia. Unfortunately, his writing have been secured in a University of Tasmania network that is no longer available to the public.

The key point for Helllohome is, Where can she find worthwhile treatment, not valid diagnosis. Concussion clinics focus on diagnosing and tracking symptoms with some therapies that may or may not be of value. When they can see a decrease in symptoms or a limit in insurance payments, the patient often gets discharged.

I have spent over $18,000 trying to find a reliable diagnosis that would lead to a reliable prognosis for insurance companies. Never did find a worthwhile treatment besides meds to control some symptoms. Even Dr Cantu only suggests quiet rest for recovery. He has been treating and researching concussion since the 1970's. His research is a key part of the recent groundswell of interest in concussion.

I hope Hellohome finds good help. If UCSF has something to offer, great. I already said that.

Here is a link to the Zurich Consensus http://www.sportconcussions.com/html...0Statement.pdf
It is worth a read to see that the only treatment suggested in quiet rest.