The Saints announced on Monday that the 2014 No.1 draft pick has flown out to spend time at the Neurologic Wellness Institute.

McCartin has only played 35 senior games since his 2015 debut because of repeated concussions.

His latest head knock was in a pre-season match and the 23-year-old has not played at all since.

Last month, the Saints placed him on their long-term injury list.

"With Paddy still experiencing some symptoms, he's taken the opportunity to get away and to visit a Chicago-based clinic that could potentially help minimise those symptoms," said Saints football boss Simon Lethlean.

"Visiting the clinic also is a chance for Paddy to get out of Melbourne and provides a break from a frustrating period where he has been pretty restricted in what he can do.

"He has worked really closely with our doctors and the other specialists he sees locally, and will keep in close contact with them while he's away."

In a Triple M interview last month, McCartin candidly spoke of having trouble with basic tasks such as driving because of his ongoing problems with concussion.

"I've lost my footy identity a bit but also a bit ot my identity as a person," McCartin said.

Australian Associated Press