Leah H Rubin1, Ryan Tierney2, Keisuke Kawata3, Leroy Wesley4, Jong Hyun Lee4, Kaj Blennow5,6, Henrik Zetterberg5,6,7,8, Dianne Langford4. 1. a Department of Neurology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA. 2. b Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health , Temple University , Philadelphia , PA , USA. 3. c Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA. 4. d Department of Neuroscience , Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia , PA , USA. 5. e Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry , Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg , Mölndal , Sweden. 6. f Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory , Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Mölndal , Sweden. 7. g Department of Molecular Neuroscience , UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square , London , UK. 8. h UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL , London , UK.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Repetitive subconcussive head impacts in contact/collision sports such as in US football are believed to contribute to long-term brain changes and chronic symptoms. However, the lack of tools to measure the effects of repeated subconcussion limits our understanding of potential contributions to neuropathological alterations including cellular damage. METHODS: We examined subconcussive head impacts using an accelerometer-embedded mouthguard on changes in blood levels of neurofilament light (NFL) chain in 18 Division I college football players. Plasma levels of NFL and clinical symptoms were assessed at pre-post practices. The frequency and linear and rotational head accelerations recorded via the mouthguard were examined in relation to NFL plasma changes. RESULTS: The frequency and magnitude of head impacts associated with increased NFL levels. The greater numbers of hits and head accelerations associated with greater pre- to post-practice NFL level increases (p < 0.05). Greater pre- to post-practice increases in NFL also associated with greater pre- to post-practice increases in S100β (p < 0.001), but not with total tau. Years of football experience and concussion history did not associate with changes in NFL. CONCLUSION: Acute changes in NFL may be a clinically useful peripheral marker in tracking acute brain damage in collegiate football players, and other contact sports.
INTRODUCTION: Repetitive subconcussive head impacts in contact/collision sports such as in US football are believed to contribute to long-term brain changes and chronic symptoms. However, the lack of tools to measure the effects of repeated subconcussion limits our understanding of potential contributions to neuropathological alterations including cellular damage. METHODS: We examined subconcussive head impacts using an accelerometer-embedded mouthguard on changes in blood levels of neurofilament light (NFL) chain in 18 Division I college football players. Plasma levels of NFL and clinical symptoms were assessed at pre-post practices. The frequency and linear and rotational head accelerations recorded via the mouthguard were examined in relation to NFL plasma changes. RESULTS: The frequency and magnitude of head impacts associated with increased NFL levels. The greater numbers of hits and head accelerations associated with greater pre- to post-practice NFL level increases (p < 0.05). Greater pre- to post-practice increases in NFL also associated with greater pre- to post-practice increases in S100β (p < 0.001), but not with total tau. Years of football experience and concussion history did not associate with changes in NFL. CONCLUSION: Acute changes in NFL may be a clinically useful peripheral marker in tracking acute brain damage in collegiate football players, and other contact sports.
Authors: Linda Papa; Alexa E Walter; James R Wilkes; Hunter S Clonts; Brian Johnson; Semyon M Slobounov Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2022-09-01 Impact factor: 4.869
Authors: Veronica A Mullins; Sarah Graham; Danielle Cummings; Alva Wood; Vanessa Ovando; Ann C Skulas-Ray; Dennis Polian; Yiwei Wang; Gerson D Hernandez; Claudia M Lopez; Adam C Raikes; Roberta D Brinton; Floyd H Chilton Journal: Nutrients Date: 2022-05-20 Impact factor: 6.706
Authors: Jesse C DeSimone; Elizabeth M Davenport; Jillian Urban; Yin Xi; James M Holcomb; Mireille E Kelley; Christopher T Whitlow; Alexander K Powers; Joel D Stitzel; Joseph A Maldjian Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2021-03-18 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: Georgia F Symons; Meaghan Clough; Steven Mutimer; Brendan P Major; William T O'Brien; Daniel Costello; Stuart J McDonald; Zhibin Chen; Owen White; Richelle Mychasiuk; Meng Law; David K Wright; Terence J O'Brien; Joanne Fielding; Scott C Kolbe; Sandy R Shultz Journal: Brain Commun Date: 2021-09-14
Authors: Elisabet Wentz; Sandra Rydberg Dobrescu; Lisa Dinkler; Carina Gillberg; Christopher Gillberg; Kaj Blennow; Maria Råstam; Henrik Zetterberg Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2020-10-11 Impact factor: 4.785