Carl Verduyn1, Maria Bjerke2, Johnny Duerinck2, Sebastiaan Engelborghs2, Koenraad Peers2, Jan Versijpt2, Miguel D'haeseleer2. 1. From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (C.V., K.P.), Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Center for Neurosciences (M.B., J.D., S.E., J.V., M.D.), Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia (M.B., S.E.), Institute Born-Bunge, Universiteit Antwerpen; Neurochemistry Laboratory (M.B.), Department of Clinical Biology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Department of Neurosurgery (J.D.), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Department of Neurology (S.E., J.V., M.D.), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; and Nationaal Multiple Sclerose Centrum (M.D.); Melsbroek, Belgium. verduyncarl@gmail.com. 2. From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (C.V., K.P.), Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Center for Neurosciences (M.B., J.D., S.E., J.V., M.D.), Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia (M.B., S.E.), Institute Born-Bunge, Universiteit Antwerpen; Neurochemistry Laboratory (M.B.), Department of Clinical Biology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Department of Neurosurgery (J.D.), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; Department of Neurology (S.E., J.V., M.D.), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel; and Nationaal Multiple Sclerose Centrum (M.D.); Melsbroek, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether participating in physical contact sports is associated with a release of neurofilaments and whether such release is related to future clinical neurologic and/or psychiatric impairment. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases using a combination of the search terms neurofilament(s)/intermediate filament and sport(s)/athletes. Original studies, written in English, reporting on neurofilaments in CSF and/or serum/plasma of contact sport athletes were included. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Analyses guidelines. RESULTS: Eighteen studies in 8 different contact sports (i.e., boxing, American football, ice hockey, soccer, mixed martial arts, lacrosse, rugby, and wrestling) matched our criteria. Elevated light chain neurofilament (NfL) levels were described in 13/18 cohorts. Most compelling evidence was present in boxing and American football, where exposure-related increases were appreciable at the intraindividual level (up to 4.1- and 2.0-fold, respectively) in well-defined groups. Differences in exposure severity (including previous cumulative effects), sampling/measurement time points (with regard to expected peak values), and definitions of the baseline setting are considered as main contributors to the variability in findings. No studies were encountered that have investigated the relationship with the targeted clinical end points; therefore no NfL cutoffs exist that are associated with a poor outcome. CONCLUSION: NfL release can be seen, as a potential marker of neuronal brain damage, in participants of physical contact sports, particularly boxing and American football. The exact significance regarding the risk for future clinical impairment remains to be elucidated.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether participating in physical contact sports is associated with a release of neurofilaments and whether such release is related to future clinical neurologic and/or psychiatric impairment. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases using a combination of the search terms neurofilament(s)/intermediate filament and sport(s)/athletes. Original studies, written in English, reporting on neurofilaments in CSF and/or serum/plasma of contact sport athletes were included. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Analyses guidelines. RESULTS: Eighteen studies in 8 different contact sports (i.e., boxing, American football, ice hockey, soccer, mixed martial arts, lacrosse, rugby, and wrestling) matched our criteria. Elevated light chain neurofilament (NfL) levels were described in 13/18 cohorts. Most compelling evidence was present in boxing and American football, where exposure-related increases were appreciable at the intraindividual level (up to 4.1- and 2.0-fold, respectively) in well-defined groups. Differences in exposure severity (including previous cumulative effects), sampling/measurement time points (with regard to expected peak values), and definitions of the baseline setting are considered as main contributors to the variability in findings. No studies were encountered that have investigated the relationship with the targeted clinical end points; therefore no NfL cutoffs exist that are associated with a poor outcome. CONCLUSION: NfL release can be seen, as a potential marker of neuronal brain damage, in participants of physical contact sports, particularly boxing and American football. The exact significance regarding the risk for future clinical impairment remains to be elucidated.
Authors: Bianca Miarka; Dany A Sobarzo Soto; Esteban A Aedo-Muñoz; Clóvis A Maurício; Vanessa T Müller; Nicola L Bragazzi; Ciro José Brito Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2022-08-18 Impact factor: 4.086