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Conway Kleven BD, Chien LC, Labus B, Cross CL, Ritter A, Randall R, Montes A, Bernick C. Longitudinal Changes in Regional Brain Volumes and Cognition of Professional Fighters With Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome. Neurology 2023; 101:e1118-e1126. [PMID: 37380429 PMCID: PMC10513890 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Due to current limitations in diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) clinically, traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES) has been proposed as the clinical presentation of suspected CTE. This study aimed to determine whether there was an association between a clinical diagnosis of TES and subsequent temporal decline in cognitive or MRI volumetric measures. METHODS This was a secondary analysis of the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study (PABHS), inclusive of active and retired professional fighters older than 34 years. All athletes were adjudicated as TES positive (TES+) or TES negative (TES-) based on the 2021 clinical criteria. General linear mixed models were used to compare MRI regional brain volumes and cognitive performance between groups. RESULTS A total of 130 fighters met inclusion criteria for consensus conference. Of them, 52 fighters (40%) were adjudicated as TES+. Athletes with a TES+ diagnosis were older and had significantly lower education. Statistically significant interactions and between-group total mean differences were found in all MRI volumetric measurements among the TES+ group compared with those among the TES- group. The rate of volumetric change indicated a significantly greater increase for lateral (estimate = 5,196.65; 95% CI = 2642.65, 7750.66) and inferior lateral ventricles (estimate = 354.28; 95% CI = 159.90, 548.66) and a decrease for the hippocampus (estimate = -385.04, 95% CI = -580.47, -189.62), subcortical gray matter (estimate = -4,641.08; 95% CI = -6783.98, -2498.18), total gray matter (estimate = -26492.00; 95% CI = -50402.00, -2582.32), and posterior corpus callosum (estimate = -147.98; 95% CI = -222.33, -73.62). Likewise, the rate of cognitive decline was significantly greater for reaction time (estimate = 56.31; 95% CI = 26.17, 86.45) and other standardized cognitive scores in the TES+ group. DISCUSSION The 2021 TES criteria clearly distinguishes group differences in the longitudinal presentation of volumetric loss in select brain regions and cognitive decline among professional fighters 35 years and older. This study suggests that a TES diagnosis may be useful in professional sports beyond football, such as boxing and mixed martial arts. These findings further suggest that the application of TES criteria may be valuable clinically in predicting cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke D Conway Kleven
- From the School of Public Health (B.D.C.K., L.-C.C., B.L., C.L.C., A.M.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (A.R., R.R., A.M., C.B.), Las Vegas, NV.
| | - Lung-Chang Chien
- From the School of Public Health (B.D.C.K., L.-C.C., B.L., C.L.C., A.M.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (A.R., R.R., A.M., C.B.), Las Vegas, NV
| | - Brian Labus
- From the School of Public Health (B.D.C.K., L.-C.C., B.L., C.L.C., A.M.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (A.R., R.R., A.M., C.B.), Las Vegas, NV
| | - Chad L Cross
- From the School of Public Health (B.D.C.K., L.-C.C., B.L., C.L.C., A.M.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (A.R., R.R., A.M., C.B.), Las Vegas, NV
| | - Aaron Ritter
- From the School of Public Health (B.D.C.K., L.-C.C., B.L., C.L.C., A.M.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (A.R., R.R., A.M., C.B.), Las Vegas, NV
| | - Rebekah Randall
- From the School of Public Health (B.D.C.K., L.-C.C., B.L., C.L.C., A.M.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (A.R., R.R., A.M., C.B.), Las Vegas, NV
| | - Arturo Montes
- From the School of Public Health (B.D.C.K., L.-C.C., B.L., C.L.C., A.M.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (A.R., R.R., A.M., C.B.), Las Vegas, NV
| | - Charles Bernick
- From the School of Public Health (B.D.C.K., L.-C.C., B.L., C.L.C., A.M.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (A.R., R.R., A.M., C.B.), Las Vegas, NV
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Zhuang X, Bennett L, Nandy R, Cordes D, Bernick C, Ritter A. Longitudinal Changes in Cognitive Functioning and Brain Structure in Professional Boxers and Mixed Martial Artists After They Stop Fighting. Neurology 2022; 99:e2275-e2284. [PMID: 36104283 PMCID: PMC9694836 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This study compares longitudinal changes in cognitive functioning and brain structures in male fighters who transitioned to an inactive fighting status without any further exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHIs) and fighters remaining active with continual exposure to RHIs. METHODS Participants were recruited from the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study. At time point (TP)1, all fighters were active, with continual exposure to RHIs. At TP2, fighters were considered "transitioned" if they had no sanctioned professional fights and had not been sparring for the past 2 years. Fighters were considered "active" if they continued to train and compete. All fighters underwent cognitive testing and 3T MRI at both TPs. A subset of our fighters (50%) underwent blood sampling for the characterization of neurofilament light (NfL) levels at both TPs. Linear mixed-effect models were applied to investigate the potentially different longitudinal trajectories (interaction effect between group and time) of cognitive function measures, NfL levels, and regional thickness measures (derived from structural MRI) between transitioned and active fighters. RESULTS Forty-five male transitioned fighters (aged 31.69 ± 6.27 years [TP1]; 22 boxers, 22 mixed martial artists, and 1 martial artist) and 45 demographically matched male active fighters (aged 30.24 ± 5.44 years [TP1]; 17 boxers, 27 mixed martial artists, and 1 martial artist) were included in the analyses. Significantly different longitudinal trajectories between transitioned and active fighters were observed in verbal memory (p FDR = 4.73E-04), psychomotor speed (p FDR = 4.73E-04), processing speed (p FDR = 3.90E-02), and NfL levels (p = 0.02). Transitioned fighters demonstrated longitudinally improved cognitive functioning and decreased NfL levels, and active fighters demonstrated declines in cognitive performance and stable NfL levels. Of 68 cortical regions inspected, 54 regions demonstrated a consistently changing trajectory, with thickness measures stabilizing on a group level for transitioned fighters and subtly declining over time for active fighters. DISCUSSION After fighters' cessation of RHI exposure, cognitive function and brain thickness measures may stabilize and blood NfL levels may decline. This study could be a starting point to identify potential predictors of individuals who are at a higher risk of RHI-related long-term neurologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Zhuang
- From the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (X.Z., D.C., C.B., A.R.), Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience PhD Program (X.Z.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute (L.B.), Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA; Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology (R.N.), School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth; University of Colorado Boulder (D.C.); and UW Medicine (C.B.), Seattle
| | - Lauren Bennett
- From the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (X.Z., D.C., C.B., A.R.), Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience PhD Program (X.Z.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute (L.B.), Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA; Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology (R.N.), School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth; University of Colorado Boulder (D.C.); and UW Medicine (C.B.), Seattle
| | - Rajesh Nandy
- From the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (X.Z., D.C., C.B., A.R.), Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience PhD Program (X.Z.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute (L.B.), Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA; Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology (R.N.), School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth; University of Colorado Boulder (D.C.); and UW Medicine (C.B.), Seattle
| | - Dietmar Cordes
- From the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (X.Z., D.C., C.B., A.R.), Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience PhD Program (X.Z.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute (L.B.), Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA; Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology (R.N.), School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth; University of Colorado Boulder (D.C.); and UW Medicine (C.B.), Seattle
| | - Charles Bernick
- From the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (X.Z., D.C., C.B., A.R.), Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience PhD Program (X.Z.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute (L.B.), Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA; Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology (R.N.), School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth; University of Colorado Boulder (D.C.); and UW Medicine (C.B.), Seattle
| | - Aaron Ritter
- From the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (X.Z., D.C., C.B., A.R.), Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience PhD Program (X.Z.), University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute (L.B.), Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA; Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology (R.N.), School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth; University of Colorado Boulder (D.C.); and UW Medicine (C.B.), Seattle.
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Schlegel P, Novotny M, Valis M, Klimova B. Head injury in mixed martial arts: a review of epidemiology, affected brain structures and risks of cognitive decline. PHYSICIAN SPORTSMED 2021; 49:371-380. [PMID: 33538222 DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2021.1885966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background: The popularity trend of mixed martial arts (MMA) is steeply increasing, especially in the very young population. Unfortunately, MMA carries an enormous risk of head trauma.Purpose: The aim of this article is to provide review of studies on the association between head injuries and cognitive functions in MMA fighters.Methods: A systematic literature review was performed. Web of Science, PubMed, Springer, and Scopus databases were used. A total of 30 studies were identified. The inclusion criteria were as follows: studies with MMA fighters and head injuries and/or TKO/KO and/or reduction of cognitive functions in these fighters.Results: The results indicate that the incidence of head traumas ranges between 58% and 78% of all injuries. The King-Devick test seems to be a suitable rapid tool used in the studies to assess the extent of cognitive impairment. Among the detected studies, the post-fighting scores were significantly worse for fighters with head trauma during the match. We also found anomalies in MMA fighters in different brain structures, but it seems that the thalamus and caudate are the most affected. The impaired performance in processing speed, verbal memory and psychomotor speed is regularly confirmed in studies with MMA fighters. In addition, head traumatization seems to be a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative disorders and it may be one of the possible causes of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Several global medical societies have identified MMA as a violent and dangerous sport and have called for its ban - but unsuccessfully.Conclusion: Therefore, possible recommendations should include increased medical supervision of the fighter (during his career, but also after it) and the introduction of practical safety instructions for fighters to reduce the risk of developing CTE. With the increasing popularity of MMA, the risk of CTE should not be underestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Schlegel
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Novotny
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Valis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Klimova
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Alosco ML, Culhane J, Mez J. Neuroimaging Biomarkers of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: Targets for the Academic Memory Disorders Clinic. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:772-791. [PMID: 33847906 PMCID: PMC8423967 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01028-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts, such as those from contact sports. The pathognomonic lesion for CTE is the perivascular accumulation of hyper-phosphorylated tau in neurons and other cell process at the depths of sulci. CTE cannot be diagnosed during life at this time, limiting research on risk factors, mechanisms, epidemiology, and treatment. There is an urgent need for in vivo biomarkers that can accurately detect CTE and differentiate it from other neurological disorders. Neuroimaging is an integral component of the clinical evaluation of neurodegenerative diseases and will likely aid in diagnosing CTE during life. In this qualitative review, we present the current evidence on neuroimaging biomarkers for CTE with a focus on molecular, structural, and functional modalities routinely used as part of a dementia evaluation. Supporting imaging-pathological correlation studies are also presented. We targeted neuroimaging studies of living participants at high risk for CTE (e.g., aging former elite American football players, fighters). We conclude that an optimal tau PET radiotracer with high affinity for the 3R/4R neurofibrillary tangles in CTE has not yet been identified. Amyloid PET scans have tended to be negative. Converging structural and functional imaging evidence together with neuropathological evidence show frontotemporal and medial temporal lobe neurodegeneration, and increased likelihood for a cavum septum pellucidum. The literature offers promising neuroimaging biomarker targets of CTE, but it is limited by cross-sectional studies of small samples where the presence of underlying CTE is unknown. Imaging-pathological correlation studies will be important for the development and validation of neuroimaging biomarkers of CTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Alosco
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord St, Suite B7800, MA, 02118, Boston, USA.
| | - Julia Culhane
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord St, Suite B7800, MA, 02118, Boston, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 E Concord St, Suite B7800, MA, 02118, Boston, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, Boston, USA
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Villa C, Lavitrano M, Salvatore E, Combi R. Molecular and Imaging Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease: A Focus on Recent Insights. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10030061. [PMID: 32664352 PMCID: PMC7565667 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10030061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease among the elderly, affecting millions of people worldwide and clinically characterized by a progressive and irreversible cognitive decline. The rapid increase in the incidence of AD highlights the need for an easy, efficient and accurate diagnosis of the disease in its initial stages in order to halt or delay the progression. The currently used diagnostic methods rely on measures of amyloid-β (Aβ), phosphorylated (p-tau) and total tau (t-tau) protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) aided by advanced neuroimaging techniques like positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the invasiveness of these procedures and the high cost restrict their utilization. Hence, biomarkers from biological fluids obtained using non-invasive methods and novel neuroimaging approaches provide an attractive alternative for the early diagnosis of AD. Such biomarkers may also be helpful for better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease, allowing differential diagnosis or at least prolonging the pre-symptomatic stage in patients suffering from AD. Herein, we discuss the advantages and limits of the conventional biomarkers as well as recent promising candidates from alternative body fluids and new imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.V.); (R.C.)
| | - Marialuisa Lavitrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Institute for the Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council (IEOS-CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Elena Salvatore
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Romina Combi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.V.); (R.C.)
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Mishra VR, Sreenivasan KR, Zhuang X, Yang Z, Cordes D, Banks SJ, Bernick C. Understanding white matter structural connectivity differences between cognitively impaired and nonimpaired active professional fighters. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:5108-5122. [PMID: 31403734 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term traumatic brain injury due to repeated head impacts (RHI) has been shown to be a risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by a loss in cognitive performance. Establishing the correlation between changes in the white matter (WM) structural connectivity measures and neuropsychological test scores might help to identify the neural correlates of the scores that are used in daily clinical setting to investigate deficits due to repeated head blows. Hence, in this study, we utilized high angular diffusion MRI (dMRI) of 69 cognitively impaired and 70 nonimpaired active professional fighters from the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study, and constructed structural connectomes to understand: (a) whether there is a difference in the topological WM organization between cognitively impaired and nonimpaired active professional fighters, and (b) whether graph-theoretical measures exhibit correlations with neuropsychological scores in these groups. A dMRI derived structural connectome was constructed for every participant using brain regions defined in AAL atlas as nodes, and the product of fiber number and average fractional anisotropy of the tracts connecting the nodes as edges. Our study identified a topological WM reorganization due to RHI in fighters prone to cognitive decline that was correlated with neuropsychological scores. Furthermore, graph-theoretical measures were correlated differentially with neuropsychological scores between groups. We also found differentiated WM connectivity involving regions of hippocampus, precuneus, and insula within our cohort of cognitively impaired fighters suggesting that there is a discernible WM topological reorganization in fighters prone to cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virendra R Mishra
- Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | | | - Xiaowei Zhuang
- Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Zhengshi Yang
- Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada
| | - Dietmar Cordes
- Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Sarah J Banks
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Charles Bernick
- Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada
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