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Zimmerman KA, Hain JA, Graham NSN, Rooney EJ, Lee Y, Del-Giovane M, Parker TD, Friedland D, Cross MJ, Kemp S, Wilson MG, Sylvester RJ, Sharp DJ. Prospective cohort study of long-term neurological outcomes in retired elite athletes: the Advanced BiomaRker, Advanced Imaging and Neurocognitive (BRAIN) Health Study protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082902. [PMID: 38663922 PMCID: PMC11043776 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although limited, recent research suggests that contact sport participation might have an adverse long-term effect on brain health. Further work is required to determine whether this includes an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease and/or subsequent changes in cognition and behaviour. The Advanced BiomaRker, Advanced Imaging and Neurocognitive Health Study will prospectively examine the neurological, psychiatric, psychological and general health of retired elite-level rugby union and association football/soccer players. METHODS AND ANALYSIS 400 retired athletes will be recruited (200 rugby union and 200 association football players, male and female). Athletes will undergo a detailed clinical assessment, advanced neuroimaging, blood testing for a range of brain health outcomes and neuropsychological assessment longitudinally. Follow-up assessments will be completed at 2 and 4 years after baseline visit. 60 healthy volunteers will be recruited and undergo an aligned assessment protocol including advanced neuroimaging, blood testing and neuropsychological assessment. We will describe the previous exposure to head injuries across the cohort and investigate relationships between biomarkers of brain injury and clinical outcomes including cognitive performance, clinical diagnoses and psychiatric symptom burden. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Relevant ethical approvals have been granted by the Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 17/LO/2066). The study findings will be disseminated through manuscripts in clinical/academic journals, presentations at professional conferences and through participant and stakeholder communications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl A Zimmerman
- Centre for Care, Research and Technology, UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Injury Studies, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jessica A Hain
- Centre for Care, Research and Technology, UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Neil S N Graham
- Centre for Care, Research and Technology, UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Injury Studies, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Erin Jane Rooney
- Centre for Care, Research and Technology, UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), University College London, London, UK
| | - Ying Lee
- Centre for Care, Research and Technology, UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), University College London, London, UK
| | - Martina Del-Giovane
- Centre for Care, Research and Technology, UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas D Parker
- Centre for Care, Research and Technology, UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, The Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Daniel Friedland
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew J Cross
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
- Premiership Rugby, London, UK
| | - Simon Kemp
- Rugby Football Union, Twickenham, UK
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mathew G Wilson
- Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), University College London, London, UK
- HCA Healthcare Research Institute, London, UK
| | - Richard J Sylvester
- Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), University College London, London, UK
- Acute Stroke and Brain Injury Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - David J Sharp
- Centre for Care, Research and Technology, UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Injury Studies, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Kersivien C, Doumit A, Gascoigne M, Wearne TA. The protective role of resilience in the reporting of post-concussive symptoms within a non-clinical sample. Clin Neuropsychol 2024; 38:668-682. [PMID: 37731324 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2023.2256949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Despite being common following a brain injury, post-concussive symptoms (PCS) are highly prevalent in healthy and non-concussed individuals. Psychosocial factors likely subserve the maintenance of symptoms, and numerous studies have identified prominent risk factors associated with post-concussive symptom reporting (e.g. history of depression). However, few studies have investigated protective factors in this context. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between resilience and PCS, and to identify the factors subserving resilience within this relationship. Method: Healthy and non-concussed participants (n = 283, Mage = 22.70 years) completed questionnaires examining PCS (Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire) and resilience (Resilience Scale for Adults), together with a screener of background demographic/clinical factors. Results: Resilience negatively predicted PCS above and beyond the effect of demographic and clinical factors previously implicated in the reporting of PCS. Interestingly, heightened "perception of self" was the resilience factor uniquely associated with PCS symptoms. The final model accounted for 33% of the variance in PCS. Overall, female gender, a history of headaches, and diagnoses of ADHD and depression, and reduced "perception of self" were all predictive of greater PCS (ps < .05). Conclusion: Resilience, particularly perception of self, is a positive protective factor in the reporting of PCS. These findings highlight the importance of early identification of less resilient individuals following trauma-such as an mTBI and provide a potential rationale for the incorporation of resilience-based rehabilitation programs into the recovery process, particularly those that promote greater self-efficacy and self-competency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam Doumit
- School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Travis A Wearne
- School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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Brooks KJL, Sullivan KA. Factor structure of the modified Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (mRPQ): an exploratory analysis with healthy adult simulators. Brain Inj 2023; 37:87-94. [PMID: 36653341 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2023.2165150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Persistent postconcussion symptoms (PPCS) are challenging to diagnose. An improved diagnostic process could consider typical and atypical postconcussion symptoms. This study examined the structure of a modified Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (mRPQ) with both symptom types. METHOD 298 adult volunteers were randomized into groups: honest responders, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) simulators (MS), and biased mTBI simulators (BMS). Both mTBI simulating groups were coached about mTBI and primed about the simulation context (compensation evaluation). The BMS group was also encouraged to bias (exaggerate) symptoms. The participants completed an online battery of tests, including the mRPQ. RESULTS An exploratory factor analysis of the mRPQ (full sample) revealed a three-factor solution, including a separate dimension for atypical symptoms (all item loadings >0.45, ~4% of explained variance). The overall and group analyses of the standard RPQ items (typical symptoms) found a one- or two-factor solution, as did the analyses of atypical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with prior RPQ research, a unidimensional or bifactor structure was measurable from standard RPQ symptoms. Whilst this study did not find support for domain-level symptom scores for either typical or atypical symptoms, the findings support the use of an overall atypical symptoms score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Jack Lee Brooks
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karen A Sullivan
- School of Psychology and Counselling, and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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