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O’Brien WT, Spitz G, Xie B, Major BP, Mutimer S, Giesler LP, Bain J, Evans LJ, Duarte Martins B, Piantella S, Alhassan A, Brady S, Cappellari D, Somma V, McColl T, Symons GF, Gore T, Sun M, Kuek T, Horan S, Bei M, Ponsford JL, Willmott C, Reyes J, Ashton NJ, Zetterberg H, Mitra B, O’Brien TJ, Shultz SR, McDonald SJ. Biomarkers of Neurobiologic Recovery in Adults With Sport-Related Concussion. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2415983. [PMID: 38848061 PMCID: PMC11161851 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.15983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Sport-related concussion (SRC), a form of mild traumatic brain injury, is a prevalent occurrence in collision sports. There are no well-established approaches for tracking neurobiologic recovery after SRC. Objective To examine the levels of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light (NfL) in Australian football athletes who experience SRC. Design, Setting, and Participants A cohort study recruiting from April 10, 2021, to September 17, 2022, was conducted through the Victorian Amateur Football Association, Melbourne, Australia. Participants included adult Australian football players with or without SRC. Data analysis was performed from May 26, 2023, to March 27, 2024. Exposure Sport-related concussion, defined as at least 1 observable sign and/or 2 or more symptoms. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were serum GFAP and NfL levels at 24 hours, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 26 weeks. Secondary outcomes were symptoms, cognitive performance, and return to training times. Results Eighty-one individuals with SRC (median age, 22.8 [IQR, 21.3-26.0] years; 89% male) and 56 control individuals (median age, 24.6 [IQR, 22.4-27.3] years; 96% male) completed a total of 945 of 1057 eligible testing sessions. Compared with control participants, those with SRC exhibited higher GFAP levels at 24 hours (mean difference [MD] in natural log, pg/mL, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.50-0.82]) and 4 weeks (MD, 0.17 [95% CI, 0.02-0.32]), and NfL from 1 to 12 weeks (1-week MD, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.12-0.51]; 2-week MD, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.19-0.58]; 4-week MD, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.12-0.51]; 6-week MD, 0.27 [95% CI, 0.07-0.47]; 8-week MD, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.15-0.56]; and 12-week MD, 0.25 [95% CI, 0.04-0.46]). Growth mixture modeling identified 2 GFAP subgroups: extreme prolonged (16%) and moderate transient (84%). For NfL, 3 subgroups were identified: extreme prolonged (7%), moderate prolonged (15%), and minimal or no change (78%). Individuals with SRC who reported loss of consciousness (LOC) (33% of SRC cases) had higher GFAP at 24 hours (MD, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.77-1.24]), 1 week (MD, 0.27 [95% CI, 0.06-0.49]), 2 weeks (MD, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.004-0.42]) and 4 weeks (MD, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.13-0.55]), and higher NfL from 1 week to 12 weeks (1-week MD, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.42-1.03]; 2-week MD, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.61-1.21]; 4-week MD, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.59-1.20]; 6-week MD, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.50-1.13]; 8-week MD, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.42-1.04]; and 12-week MD, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.22-0.85]) compared with SRC participants without LOC. Return to training times were longer in the GFAP extreme compared with moderate subgroup (incident rate ratio [IRR], 1.99 [95% CI, 1.69-2.34]; NfL extreme (IRR, 3.24 [95% CI, 2.63-3.97]) and moderate (IRR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.18-1.72]) subgroups compared with the minimal subgroup, and for individuals with LOC compared with those without LOC (IRR, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.41-1.93]). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, a subset of SRC cases, particularly those with LOC, showed heightened and prolonged increases in GFAP and NfL levels, that persisted for at least 4 weeks. These findings suggest that serial biomarker measurement could identify such cases, guiding return to play decisions based on neurobiologic recovery. While further investigation is warranted, the association between prolonged biomarker elevations and LOC may support the use of more conservative return to play timelines for athletes with this clinical feature.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T. O’Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gershon Spitz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Becca Xie
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brendan P. Major
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Mutimer
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lauren P. Giesler
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jesse Bain
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lauren J. Evans
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Stefan Piantella
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Afizu Alhassan
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shelby Brady
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Cappellari
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vincenzo Somma
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas McColl
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georgia F. Symons
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tenae Gore
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Timothy Kuek
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Seamus Horan
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Bei
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennie L. Ponsford
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catherine Willmott
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan Reyes
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas J. Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Biswadev Mitra
- Emergency & Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Australia
- School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Terence J. O’Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandy R. Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Health Sciences, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stuart J. McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Sub-acute Changes on MRI Measures of Cerebral Blood Flow and Venous Oxygen Saturation in Concussed Australian Rules Footballers. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2022; 8:45. [PMID: 35362855 PMCID: PMC8975948 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-022-00435-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background Sports-related concussion (SRC) is common in collision sport athletes. There is growing evidence that repetitive SRC can have serious neurological consequences, particularly when the repetitive injuries occur when the brain has yet to fully recover from the initial injury. Hence, there is a need to identify biomarkers that are capable of determining SRC recovery so that they can guide clinical decisions pertaining to return-to-play. Cerebral venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) can be measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and may provide insights into changing energy demands and recovery following SRC. Results In this study we therefore investigated SvO2 and CBF in a cohort of concussed amateur Australian Football athletes (i.e., Australia’s most participated collision sport). Male and female Australian footballers (n = 13) underwent MRI after being cleared to return to play following a mandatory 13-day recovery period and were compared to a group of control Australian footballers (n = 16) with no recent history of SRC (i.e., > 3 months since last SRC). Despite the concussed Australian footballers being cleared to return to play at the time of MRI, we found evidence of significantly increased susceptibility in the global white matter (p = 0.020) and a trend (F5,21 = 2.404, p = 0.071) for reduced relative CBF (relCBF) compared to the control group. Further, there was evidence of an interaction between sex and injury in straight sinus susceptibility values (F1,25 = 3.858, p = 0.061) which were decreased in female SRC athletes (p = 0.053). Of note, there were significant negative correlations between straight sinus susceptibility and relCBF suggesting impaired metabolic function after SRC. Conclusions These findings support the use of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and relCBF as sensitive indicators of SRC, and raise further concerns related to SRC guidelines that allow for return-to-play in less than two weeks.
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Symons GF, O’Brien WT, Abel L, Chen Z, Costello DM, O’Brien TJ, Kolbe S, Fielding J, Shultz SR, Clough M. Monitoring the acute and subacute recovery of cognitive ocular motor changes after a sports-related concussion. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:5276-5288. [PMID: 36300614 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Identifying when recovery from a sports-related concussion (SRC) has occurred remains a challenge in clinical practice. This study investigated the utility of ocular motor (OM) assessment to monitor recovery post-SRC between sexes and compared to common clinical measures. From 139 preseason baseline assessments (i.e. before they sustained an SRC), 18 (12 males, 6 females) consequent SRCs were sustained and the longitudinal follow-ups were collected at 2, 6, and 13 days post-SRC. Participants completed visually guided, antisaccade (AS), and memory-guided saccade tasks requiring a saccade toward, away from, and to a remembered target, respectively. Changes in latency (processing speed), visual–spatial accuracy, and errors were measured. Clinical measures included The Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, King-Devick test, Stroop task, and Digit span. AS latency was significantly longer at 2 days and returned to baseline by 13-days post-SRC in females only (P < 0.001). Symptom numbers recovered from 2 to 6 days and 13 days (P < 0.05). Persistently poorer AS visual–spatial accuracy was identified at 2, 6 and 13 days post-SRC (P < 0.05) in both males and females but with differing trajectories. Clinical measures demonstrated consistent improvement reminiscent of practice effects. OM saccade assessment may have improved utility in tracking recovery compared to conventional measures and between sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia F Symons
- Monash University Department of Neuroscience, , The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) 3004, Australia
| | - William T O’Brien
- Monash University Department of Neuroscience, , The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) 3004, Australia
| | - Larry Abel
- Department of Optometry and Vision science, The University of Melbourne , Grattan street, Parkville, Victoria (VIC) 3010, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Monash University Department of Neuroscience, , The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital , Grattan street, Parkville, Victoria (VIC) 3010, Australia
| | - Daniel M Costello
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital , Grattan street, Parkville, Victoria (VIC) 3010, Australia
| | - Terence J O’Brien
- Monash University Department of Neuroscience, , The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital , Grattan street, Parkville, Victoria (VIC) 3010, Australia
| | - Scott Kolbe
- Monash University Department of Neuroscience, , The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) 3004, Australia
| | - Joanne Fielding
- Monash University Department of Neuroscience, , The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital , Grattan street, Parkville, Victoria (VIC) 3010, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Monash University Department of Neuroscience, , The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) 3004, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital , Grattan street, Parkville, Victoria (VIC) 3010, Australia
- Department of Nursing, Health and Huan services, Vancouver Island University , 900 Fifth St, Nanaimo, British Columbia (BC), V9R 6S5, Canada
| | - Meaghan Clough
- Monash University Department of Neuroscience, , The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria (VIC) 3004, Australia
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4
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Shultz SR, Taylor CJ, Aggio-Bruce R, O’Brien WT, Sun M, Cioanca AV, Neocleous G, Symons GF, Brady RD, Hardikar AA, Joglekar MV, Costello DM, O’Brien TJ, Natoli R, McDonald SJ. Decrease in Plasma miR-27a and miR-221 After Concussion in Australian Football Players. Biomark Insights 2022; 17:11772719221081318. [PMID: 35250259 PMCID: PMC8891921 DOI: 10.1177/11772719221081318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a common form of brain injury that lacks reliable methods to guide clinical decisions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can influence biological processes involved in SRC, and measurement of miRNAs in biological fluids may provide objective diagnostic and return to play/recovery biomarkers. Therefore, this prospective study investigated the temporal profile of circulating miRNA levels in concussed male and female athletes. Methods: Pre-season baseline blood samples were collected from amateur Australian rules football players (82 males, 45 females). Of these, 20 males and 8 females sustained an SRC during the subsequent season and underwent blood sampling at 2-, 6- and 13-days post-injury. A miRNA discovery Open Array was conducted on plasma to assess the expression of 754 known/validated miRNAs. miRNA target identified were further investigated with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in a validation study. Data pertaining to SRC symptoms, demographics, sporting history, education history and concussion history were also collected. Results: Discovery analysis identified 18 candidate miRNA. The consequent validation study found that plasma miR-221-3p levels were decreased at 6d and 13d, and that miR-27a-3p levels were decreased at 6d, when compared to baseline. Moreover, miR-27a and miR-221-3p levels were inversely correlated with SRC symptom severity. Conclusion: Circulating levels of miR-27a-3p and miR-221-3p were decreased in the sub-acute stages after SRC, and were inversely correlated with SRC symptom severity. Although further studies are required, these analyses have identified miRNA biomarker candidates of SRC severity and recovery that may one day assist in its clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Caroline J Taylor
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Riemke Aggio-Bruce
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - William T O’Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mujun Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adrian V Cioanca
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - George Neocleous
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Georgia F Symons
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rhys D Brady
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Mugdha V Joglekar
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel M Costello
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Terence J O’Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Riccardo Natoli
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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5
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Sun M, Symons GF, O'Brien WT, Mccullough J, Aniceto R, Lin IH, Eklund M, Brady RD, Costello DM, Chen Z, O'Brien TJ, McDonald SJ, Agoston DV, Shultz SR. Serum protein biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and cerebrovascular and glial injury in concussed Australian football players. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:800-808. [PMID: 35176905 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0493] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical decisions related to sports-related concussion (SRC) are challenging due to the heterogenous nature of SRC symptoms coupled with the current reliance on subjective self-reported symptom measures. Sensitive and objective methods that can diagnose SRC and determine recovery would aid clinical management, and there is evidence that SRC induces changes in circulating protein biomarkers indicative of neuroaxonal injury. However, potential blood biomarkers related to other pathobiological responses linked to SRC are still poorly understood. Therefore, here we analyzed blood samples from concussed (male = 30; female = 9) and non-concussed (male = 74; female = 27) amateur Australian rules football players collected during the pre-season (i.e., baseline), and at 2-, 6-, and 13-days post-SRC to determine time dependent changes in serum levels of biomarkers related to glial (i.e., brain lipid-binding protein, BLBP; phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes 15) and cerebrovascular injury (i.e., von Willebrand factor, claudin-5), inflammation (i.e., fibrinogen, high mobility group box protein 1), and oxidative stress (i.e., 4-hydroxynoneal). In females, BLBP levels were significantly decreased at 2-days post-SRC compared to their pre-season baseline; however, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis found that BLBP was unable to distinguish between SRC and controls. In males, AUROC analysis revealed a statistically significant change at 2-days post-SRC in the serum levels of 4-hydroxynoneal, however the associated AUROC value (0.6373) indicated little clinical utility for this biomarker in distinguishing SRC from controls. There were no other statistically significant findings. These results indicate that the serum biomarkers tested in this study hold little clinical value in the management of SRC at 2-, 6-, and 13-days post-injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujun Sun
- Monash University, Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia;
| | - Georgia F Symons
- Monash University, Neuroscience, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rhys D Brady
- Monash University, Neuroscience, The Alfred Centre, Level 6, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3004;
| | - Daniel M Costello
- The University of Melbourne, 2281, Department of Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Monash University, Neuroscience, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Monash University, 2541, Clinical Epidemiology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Monash University, Neuroscience, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne Health, 6451, Department of Neurology, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Alfred Health, 5392, Department of Neurology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,The University of Melbourne, 2281, Department of Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Stuart John McDonald
- Monash University Central Clinical School, 161666, Department of Neuroscience, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3004;
| | - Denes V Agoston
- Uniformed Services University, APG, 4301 Jones Br Rd, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20814;
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Monash University, Neuroscience, Level 6, Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3004;
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6
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Symons GF, Clough M, Mutimer S, Major BP, O'Brien WT, Costello D, McDonald SJ, Chen Z, White O, Mychasiuk R, Law M, Wright DK, O'Brien TJ, Fielding J, Kolbe SC, Shultz SR. Cognitive ocular motor deficits and white matter damage chronically after sports-related concussion. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab213. [PMID: 34595476 PMCID: PMC8477916 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A history of concussion has been linked to long-term cognitive deficits; however, the neural underpinnings of these abnormalities are poorly understood. This study recruited 26 asymptomatic male Australian footballers with a remote history of concussion (i.e. at least six months since last concussion), and 23 non-collision sport athlete controls with no history of concussion. Participants completed three ocular motor tasks (prosaccade, antisaccade and a cognitively complex switch task) to assess processing speed, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, respectively. Diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired using a 3 T MRI scanner, and analysed using tract-based spatial statistics, to investigate white matter abnormalities and how they relate to ocular motor performance. Australian footballers had significantly slower adjusted antisaccade latencies compared to controls (P = 0.035). A significant switch cost (i.e. switch trial error > repeat trial error) was also found on the switch task, with Australian footballers performing increased magnitude of errors on prosaccade switch trials relative to prosaccade repeat trials (P = 0.023). Diffusion tensor imaging analysis found decreased fractional anisotropy, a marker of white matter damage, in major white matter tracts (i.e. corpus callosum, corticospinal tract) in Australian footballers relative to controls. Notably, a larger prosaccade switch cost was significantly related to reduced fractional anisotropy in anterior white matter regions found to connect to the prefrontal cortex (i.e. a key cortical ocular motor centre involved in executive functioning and task switching). Taken together, Australian footballers with a history of concussion have ocular motor deficits indicative of poorer cognitive processing speed and cognitive flexibility, which are related to reduce white matter integrity in regions projecting to important cognitive ocular motor structures. These findings provide novel insights into the neural mechanisms that may underly chronic cognitive impairments in individuals with a history of concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia F Symons
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Meaghan Clough
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Steven Mutimer
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Brendan P Major
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - William T O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniel Costello
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Owen White
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Meng Law
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David K Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Joanne Fielding
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Scott C Kolbe
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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7
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Hunzinger KJ, Caccese JB, Costantini KM, Swanik CB, Buckley TA. Age of First Exposure to Collision Sports Does Not Affect Patient Reported Outcomes in Women and Men Community Rugby Players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2021; 53:1895-1902. [PMID: 33731652 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the relationship between age of first exposure (AFE) to repetitive head impacts through contact/collision sports and patient-reported outcomes in community rugby players. METHODS We recruited community rugby players older than 18 yr with at least 1 yr of contact rugby participation to complete an online survey. Participants completed the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), Short-Form Health Survey 12 (SF-12), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) via Qualtrics. We used generalized linear models to examine the association between AFE (continuous) and patient-reported outcomes by sex, while controlling for cumulative years contact/collision sport history, age, and concussion history (yes/no). In addition, we used Mann-Whitney U tests to compare patient-reported outcomes between AFE <12 and AFE ≥12. RESULTS A total of 1037 rugby players (31.6 ± 11.3 yr (range, 18-74 yr), 59.1% men) participated in this study. Whether analyzed continuously or dichotomously at age 12 yr, younger AFE was not associated with worse patient-reported outcomes for either men or women. Positive concussion history was a significant predictor of worse BSI-18 subscores, SF-12 subscores, and SWLS in women and worse BSI-18 subscores in men. Cumulative contact/collision sport history was a significant predictor of better BSI-18 Depression and SF-12 (Mental Component Summary) subscores in men only. In men and women, older age was a significant predictor of better BSI-18 Depression, Anxiety, and GSI subscores; better SWLS (in men only); and better SF-12 Mental Component Summary, but worse SF-12 (Physical Component Summary). CONCLUSIONS Younger AFE to contact/collision sport is not associated with worse patient-reported outcomes in early adult rugby players. Concussion history was predictive of worse patient-reported outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaclyn B Caccese
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
| | - Katelyn M Costantini
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
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8
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Townsend S. "'The Tragedy of the Punch Drunk': Reading Concussion in Australian Sporting Newspapers, 1843-1954". Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3:676463. [PMID: 34337402 PMCID: PMC8319235 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.676463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Australian cultural attitudes toward sports related concussion (SRC) are understudied. Australia has a long history of valorising combat, collision, and contact sports, in which SRC is a common occurrence. It is therefore vital to understand how sociocultural and historical factors shape Australian attitudes toward SRC, in order to more critically evaluate the decisions made by athletes, parents, coaches, and others with regards to risk and brain injury in sport. This paper analyzed historical representations of SRC in Australian sporting newspapers between 1803 and 1954. Using distant reading, this analysis revealed four distinct periods of increased press discourse about "concussion," which were subject to interrogation via close reading. Close reading revealed that concussion was being reported in the Australian sporting press as early as 1859. Further analysis revealed critical and scientifically informed discussions about the delayed effects of concussion in 1901, systemic critiques of sporting organizations' response to concussion in 1906, and evidence of a limited concussion crisis in Australian boxing during the early 1930s. The findings of this research show that concussion was not only being reported in Australian newspapers throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries but it was subject to critical and informed commentary that has striking similarities with current debates about SRC. Despite this, widespread systematic changes to Australian sport did not occur until recently. This raises important questions about the political and institutional factors that prevented a major concussion crisis from developing in Australia during the early twentieth century, and prompts us to further consider the distinguishing features that facilitated the development of the current crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Townsend
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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9
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Major B, Symons GF, Sinclair B, O'Brien WT, Costello D, Wright DK, Clough M, Mutimer S, Sun M, Yamakawa GR, Brady RD, O'Sullivan MJ, Mychasiuk R, McDonald SJ, O'Brien TJ, Law M, Kolbe S, Shultz SR. White and Gray Matter Abnormalities in Australian Footballers With a History of Sports-Related Concussion: An MRI Study. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:5331-5338. [PMID: 34148076 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sports-related concussion (SRC) is a form of mild traumatic brain injury that has been linked to long-term neurological abnormalities. Australian rules football is a collision sport with wide national participation and is growing in popularity worldwide. However, the chronic neurological consequences of SRC in Australian footballers remain poorly understood. This study investigated the presence of brain abnormalities in Australian footballers with a history of sports-related concussion (HoC) using multimodal MRI. Male Australian footballers with HoC (n = 26), as well as noncollision sport athletes with no HoC (n = 27), were recruited to the study. None of the footballers had sustained a concussion in the preceding 6 months, and all players were asymptomatic. Data were acquired using a 3T MRI scanner. White matter integrity was assessed using diffusion tensor imaging. Cortical thickness, subcortical volumes, and cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) were analyzed using structural MRI. Australian footballers had evidence of widespread microstructural white matter damage and cortical thinning. No significant differences were found regarding subcortical volumes or CSP. These novel findings provide evidence of persisting white and gray matter abnormalities in Australian footballers with HoC, and raise concerns related to the long-term neurological health of these athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Major
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Georgia F Symons
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Ben Sinclair
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - William T O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Daniel Costello
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - David K Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Meaghan Clough
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Steven Mutimer
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Mujun Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Glenn R Yamakawa
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Rhys D Brady
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Michael J O'Sullivan
- Department of Faculty of Medicine, UQ Centre for Clinical Research and Institute of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Meng Law
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Scott Kolbe
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
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10
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Baker TL, Agoston DV, Brady RD, Major B, McDonald SJ, Mychasiuk R, Wright DK, Yamakawa GR, Sun M, Shultz SR. Targeting the Cerebrovascular System: Next-Generation Biomarkers and Treatment for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Neuroscientist 2021; 28:594-612. [PMID: 33966527 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211012264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs), such as concussions, are significant unmet medical issues. The kinetic forces that occur in mTBI adversely affect the cerebral vasculature, making cerebrovascular injury (CVI) a pathophysiological hallmark of mTBI. Given the importance of a healthy cerebrovascular system in overall brain function, CVI is likely to contribute to neurological dysfunction after mTBI. As such, CVI and related pathomechanisms may provide objective biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve the clinical management and outcomes of mTBI. Despite this potential, until recently, few studies have focused on the cerebral vasculature in this context. This article will begin by providing a brief overview of the cerebrovascular system followed by a review of the literature regarding how mTBI can affect the integrity and function of the cerebrovascular system, and how this may ultimately contribute to neurological dysfunction and neurodegenerative conditions. We then discuss promising avenues of research related to mTBI biomarkers and interventions that target CVI, and conclude that a clinical approach that takes CVI into account could result in substantial improvements in the care and outcomes of patients with mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara L Baker
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Denes V Agoston
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rhys D Brady
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brendan Major
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David K Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glenn R Yamakawa
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mujun Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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11
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O'Brien WT, Symons GF, Bain J, Major BP, Costello DM, Sun M, Kimpton JS, Chen Z, Brady RD, Mychasiuk R, O'Brien TJ, Monif M, Shultz SR, McDonald SJ. Elevated Serum Interleukin-1β Levels in Male, but not Female, Collision Sport Athletes with a Concussion History. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:1350-1357. [PMID: 33308001 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly reported that a history of concussion may be associated with chronic deleterious consequences. While the pathophysiology that contributes to these consequences is not well understood, neuroinflammation is postulated to be critical. Activation of multi-protein complexes termed inflammasomes, a key component of this inflammatory response, has been reported in more severe TBIs; however, it has not been investigated in milder TBIs, such as concussion. This study investigated serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 (key proteins activated downstream of these inflammasomes) at acute, sub-acute, and chronic time-points post-concussion. We recruited 105 Australian footballers (65 male, 40 female) during the pre-season, then prospectively followed these players for the occurrence of concussion during the season. At baseline, 58 footballers reported a previous concussion history, and 47 reported no previous concussion history. Additionally, 25 players sustained a mid-season concussion and were sampled at 2, 6, and 13 days post-concussion. Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were quantified using highly sensitive Simoa HD-X Analyzer assays. At baseline, IL-1β levels were higher in male, but not female, footballers with a previous concussion history compared with footballers with no concussion history. There was also a positive correlation between years of collision sport participation and IL-18 levels in males. No evidence was found in males or females to indicate that IL-1β or IL-18 levels differed at 2, 6, or 13 days post-concussion. These findings provide novel insights into potential sex-specific physiological consequences of concussion, and suggest that neuroinflammation may be persistent chronically following concussion in male athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georgia F Symons
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jesse Bain
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brendan P Major
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel M Costello
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mujun Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joshua S Kimpton
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rhys D Brady
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mastura Monif
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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12
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McDonald SJ, O'Brien WT, Symons GF, Chen Z, Bain J, Major BP, Costello D, Yamakawa G, Sun M, Brady RD, Mitra B, Mychasiuk R, O'Brien TJ, Shultz SR. Prolonged elevation of serum neurofilament light after concussion in male Australian football players. Biomark Res 2021; 9:4. [PMID: 33422120 PMCID: PMC7797141 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-020-00256-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biomarkers that can objectively guide the diagnosis of sports-related concussion, and consequent return-to-play decisions, are urgently needed. In this study, we aimed to determine the temporal profile and diagnostic ability of serum levels of neurofilament light (NfL), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and tau in concussed male and female Australian footballers. Methods Blood was collected from 28 Australian rules footballers (20 males, 8 females) at 2-, 6-, and 13-days after a diagnosed concussion for comparison to their levels at baseline (i.e. pre-season), and with 27 control players (19 males, 8 females) without a diagnosis of concussion. Serum concentrations of protein markers associated with damage to neurons (UCHL1), axons (NfL, tau), and astrocytes (GFAP) were quantified using a Simoa HD-X Analyzer. Biomarker levels for concussed players were compared over time and between sex using generalised linear mixed effect models, and diagnostic performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis. Results Serum NfL was increased from baseline in male footballers at 6- and 13-days post-concussion. GFAP and tau were increased in male footballers with concussion at 2- and 13-days respectively. NfL concentrations discriminated between concussed and non-concussed male footballers at all time-points (AUROC: 2d = 0.73, 6d = 0.85, 13d = 0.79), with tau also demonstrating utility at 13d (AUROC = 0.72). No biomarker differences were observed in female footballers after concussion. Conclusions Serum NfL may be a useful biomarker for the acute and sub-acute diagnosis of concussion in males, and could inform neurobiological recovery and return-to-play decisions. Future adequately powered studies are still needed to investigate biomarker changes in concussed females. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40364-020-00256-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - William T O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Georgia F Symons
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Clinical Epidemiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jesse Bain
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brendan P Major
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel Costello
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Glenn Yamakawa
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mujun Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rhys D Brady
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Biswadev Mitra
- National Trauma Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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13
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Major BP, McDonald SJ, O'Brien WT, Symons GF, Clough M, Costello D, Sun M, Brady RD, Mccullough J, Aniceto R, Lin IH, Law M, Mychasiuk R, O'Brien TJ, Agoston DV, Shultz SR. Serum Protein Biomarker Findings Reflective of Oxidative Stress and Vascular Abnormalities in Male, but Not Female, Collision Sport Athletes. Front Neurol 2020; 11:549624. [PMID: 33117257 PMCID: PMC7561422 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.549624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have indicated that concussive and sub-concussive brain injuries that are frequent during collision sports may lead to long-term neurological abnormalities, however there is a knowledge gap on how biological sex modifies outcomes. Blood-based biomarkers can help to identify the molecular pathology induced by brain injuries and to better understand how biological sex affects the molecular changes. We therefore analyzed serum protein biomarkers in male (n = 50) and female (n = 33) amateur Australian rules footballers (i.e., Australia's most participated collision sport), both with a history of concussion (HoC) and without a history of concussion (NoHoC). These profiles were compared to those of age-matched control male (n = 24) and female (n = 20) athletes with no history of neurotrauma or participation in collision sports. Serum levels of protein markers indicative of neuronal, axonal and glial injury (UCH-L1, NfL, tau, p-tau, GFAP, BLBP, PEA15), metabolic (4-HNE) and vascular changes (VEGF-A, vWF, CLDN5), and inflammation (HMGB1) were assessed using reverse phase protein microarrays. Male, but not female, footballers had increased serum levels of VEGF-A compared to controls regardless of concussion history. In addition, only male footballers who had HoC had increased serum levels of 4-HNE. These findings being restricted to males may be related to shorter collision sport career lengths for females compared to males. In summary, these findings show that male Australian rules footballers have elevated levels of serum biomarkers indicative of vascular abnormalities (VEGF-A) and oxidative stress (4-HNE) in comparison to non-collision control athletes. While future studies are required to determine how these findings relate to neurological function, serum levels of VEGF-A and 4-HNE may be useful to monitor subclinical neurological injury in males participating in collision sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan P Major
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - William T O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Georgia F Symons
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Meaghan Clough
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel Costello
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mujun Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rhys D Brady
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jesse Mccullough
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Roxanne Aniceto
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - I-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Meng Law
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Departments of Neurological Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Richelle Mychasiuk
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Denes V Agoston
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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