Fluid biomarkers and risk of neurodegenerative disease in retired athletes with multiple concussions: results from the International Concussion and Head Injury Research Foundation Brain health in Retired athletes Study of Ageing and Impact-Related Neurodegenerative Disease (ICHIRF-BRAIN study).
BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med
; 8(3): e001327, 2022.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2042870
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
To investigate the association and utility of blood plasma markers of neurodegeneration in a population of retired athletes self-reporting multiple concussions throughout a sporting career. It is hypothesised that this type of athletic history would cause an increased prevalence of neurodegenerative disease, as detected by biomarkers for neurodegenerative disease processes.Methods:
One hundred and fifty-nine participants were recruited (90 males, 69 females, mean age 61.3±9.13 years), including 121 participants who had retired from playing professional or semiprofessional sports and self-reported ≥1 concussion during their careers (range 1-74; mean concussions=10.7). The control group included 38 age-matched and sex-matched controls, with no history of concussion. We measured neurofilament light (NfL) and tau (neurodegeneration markers), glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) (astrocytic activation marker) and 40 and 42 amino acid-long amyloid beta (Aß40 and Aß42) (Alzheimer-associated amyloid pathology markers) concentrations using ultrasensitive single molecule array technology.Results:
We found retired athletes reporting one or more concussions throughout an athletic career showed no significant changes in NfL, tau, GFAP and Aß40 and Aß42 concentrations in comparison to a control group. No correlations were found between biomarkers and number of concussions (mean=10.7). A moderate correlation was found between NfL concentration and age.Conclusion:
No difference in blood concentrations of neurodegeneration markers NfL, tau, GFAP and Aß40 and Aß42 was found in retired athletes with a history of concussion compared with controls. An increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is not detected by biomarkers in a population self-reporting multiple concussions. Trial registration number ISRCTN 11312093.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Journal:
BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bmjsem-2022-001327
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