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Lember LM, Ntikas M, Mondello S, Wilson L, Di Virgilio TG, Hunter AM, Kobeissy F, Mechref Y, Donaldson DI, Ietswaart M. The Use of Biofluid Markers to Evaluate the Consequences of Sport-Related Subconcussive Head Impact Exposure: A Scoping Review. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2024; 10:12. [PMID: 38270708 PMCID: PMC10811313 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-023-00665-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amidst growing concern about the safety of sport-related repetitive subconcussive head impacts (RSHI), biofluid markers may provide sensitive, informative, and practical assessment of the effects of RSHI exposure. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed to systematically examine the extent, nature, and quality of available evidence from studies investigating the effects of RSHI on biofluid markers, to identify gaps and to formulate guidelines to inform future research. METHODS PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were adhered to. The protocol was pre-registered through publication. MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, OpenGrey, and two clinical trial registries were searched (until March 30, 2022) using descriptors for subconcussive head impacts, biomarkers, and contact sports. Included studies were assessed for risk of bias and quality. RESULTS Seventy-nine research publications were included in the review. Forty-nine studies assessed the acute effects, 23 semi-acute and 26 long-term effects of RSHI exposure. The most studied sports were American football, boxing, and soccer, and the most investigated markers were (in descending order): S100 calcium-binding protein beta (S100B), tau, neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), phosphorylated tau (p-tau), ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), and hormones. High or moderate bias was found in most studies, and marker-specific conclusions were subject to heterogeneous and limited evidence. Although the evidence is weak, some biofluid markers-such as NfL-appeared to show promise. More markedly, S100B was found to be problematic when evaluating the effects of RSHI in sport. CONCLUSION Considering the limitations of the evidence base revealed by this first review dedicated to systematically scoping the evidence of biofluid marker levels following RSHI exposure, the field is evidently still in its infancy. As a result, any recommendation and application is premature. Although some markers show promise for the assessment of brain health following RSHI exposure, future large standardized and better-controlled studies are needed to determine biofluid markers' utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liivia-Mari Lember
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Michail Ntikas
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
- The School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Stefania Mondello
- Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Lindsay Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Thomas G Di Virgilio
- Physiology Exercise and Nutrition Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Angus M Hunter
- Physiology Exercise and Nutrition Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
- Department of Sports Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Center for Neurotrauma, Department of Neurobiology and Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), Multiomics & Biomarkers, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Yehia Mechref
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - David I Donaldson
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Magdalena Ietswaart
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.
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Bryant BR, Esagoff AI, Young L, Kosyakova N, Bray MJC, Richey LN, Vohra V, Shan G, Schneider ALC, Peters ME, Bernick CB, Narapareddy BR. Association of Win-Loss Record With Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Brain Health Among Professional Fighters. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 36:118-124. [PMID: 38258377 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20230108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Repetitive head impacts in professional fighting commonly lead to head injuries. Increased exposure to repetitive head trauma, measured by the number of professional fights and years of fighting, has been associated with slower processing speed and smaller brain volumes. The impact of win-loss outcomes has been investigated in other sports, with several studies suggesting that individuals on losing teams experience more head injuries. Here, the authors hypothesized that fighters with a worse fight record would exhibit poorer brain health outcomes. METHODS The Professional Fighters Brain Health Study examined changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms, regional brain volume, and cognition among professional boxers and mixed martial arts fighters. These data were used to evaluate the relationship between win-loss ratios and brain health outcomes among professional fighters (N=212) by using validated neuropsychiatric symptom and cognitive measures and MRI data. RESULTS Retired fighters with a better record demonstrated more impulsiveness (B=0.21, df=48) and slower processing speed (B=-0.42, df=31). More successful fighters did not perform better than fighters with worse records on any neuropsychiatric or cognitive test. Retired fighters with better fight records had smaller brain volumes in the subcortical gray matter, anterior corpus callosum, left and right hippocampi, left and right amygdala, and left thalamus. More successful active fighters had a smaller left amygdala volume. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that among retired fighters, a better fight record was associated with greater impulsiveness, slower processing speed, and smaller brain volume in certain regions. This study shows that even successful fighters experience adverse effects on brain health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry R Bryant
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Aaron I Esagoff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Lisa Young
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Natalia Kosyakova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Michael J C Bray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Lisa N Richey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Varun Vohra
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Guogen Shan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Andrea L C Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Matthew E Peters
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Charles B Bernick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
| | - Bharat R Narapareddy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Bryant, Esagoff, Young, Bray, Richey, Vohra, Peters); Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington (Kosyakova); Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville (Shan); Department of Neurology and Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (Schneider); Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas (Bernick); Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Conn. (Narapareddy)
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Smoliga JM, Deshpande SK, Binney ZO. Interaction of Surface Type, Temperature, and Week of Season on Concussion Risk in the National Football League: A Bayesian Analysis. Epidemiology 2023; 34:807-816. [PMID: 37732833 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artificial turf fields and environmental conditions may influence sports concussion risk, but existing research is limited by uncontrolled confounding factors, limited sample size, and the assumption that risk factors are independent of one another. The purpose of this study was to examine how playing surface, time of season, and game temperature relate to diagnosed concussion risk in the National Football League (NFL). METHODS This retrospective cohort study examined data from the 2012 to the 2019 NFL regular season. We fit Bayesian negative binomial regression models to relate how playing surface, game temperature, and week of the season independently related to diagnosed concussion risk and any interactions among these factors. RESULTS We identified 1096 diagnosed concussions in 1830 games. There was a >99% probability that concussion risk was reduced on grass surface (median incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.78 [95% credible interval: 0.68, 0.89]), >99% probability that concussion risk was lower at higher temperatures (IRR = 0.85 [0.76,0.95] for each 7.9 °C), and >91% probability that concussion risk increased with each week of the season (IRR = 1.02 [1.00,1.04]). There was an >84% probability for a surface × temperature interaction (IRR = 1.01 [0.96, 1.28]) and >75% probability for a surface × week interaction (IRR = 1.02 [0.99, 1.05]). CONCLUSIONS Diagnosed concussion risk is increased on artificial turf compared with natural grass, and this is exacerbated in cold weather and, independently, later in the season. The complex interplay between these factors necessitates accounting for multiple factors and their interactions when investigating sports injury risk factors and devising mitigation methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Smoliga
- From the Department of Physical Therapy, One University Parkway, High Point University, High Point, NC
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (Seattle), Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Sameer K Deshpande
- Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin, 7225B Medical Sciences Center, Madison, WI
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4
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Cabrera D, Thompson K, Thomas JD, Peacock C, Antonio J, Tartar JL, Tartar A. Dysregulation of miR-155 Expression in Professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fighters. Cureus 2023; 15:e34944. [PMID: 36938205 PMCID: PMC10017279 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychological and physical stress can induce dysregulation of gene expression via changes in DNA methylation and microRNA (miRNA) expression. Such epigenetic modifications are yet to be investigated in professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters subject to highly stressful training involving repetitive head impacts. This study examined differences in DNA methylation and miRNA expression in elite MMA fighters compared to active controls. Global methylation differences between groups were assessed via a LINE-1 assay. At the same time, PCR arrays were used to estimate differential expression in samples of 21 fighters and 15 controls for 192 different miRNAs associated with inflammatory diseases. An Independent-Samples t-Test found no significant difference in LINE-1 methylation between groups. However, an Independent-Samples Mann-Whitney U Test revealed a significant upregulation in the expression of miR-155 in MMA fighter plasma. Since miR-155 has been recognized as an important regulator of neuroinflammation, this dysregulation suggests a possible epigenetic mechanism responsible for chronic inflammation associated with professional-level MMA training. Consistent with other published works, this study highlights the potential of miR-155 not only as a biomarker for monitoring long-term health risks linked to head trauma but also as a target to remediate the impact of chronic neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominick Cabrera
- Psychology, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Davie, USA
| | | | | | - Corey Peacock
- College of Health Care Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, USA
| | - Jose Antonio
- College of Health Care Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, USA
| | | | - Aurelien Tartar
- Biological Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, USA
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5
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Papa L, Walter AE, Wilkes JR, Clonts HS, Johnson B, Slobounov SM. Effect of Player Position on Serum Biomarkers during Participation in a Season of Collegiate Football. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:1339-1348. [PMID: 35615873 PMCID: PMC9529311 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This prospective cohort study examined the relationship between a panel of four serum proteomic biomarkers (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 [UCH-L1], total Tau, and neurofilament light chain polypeptide [NF-L]) in 52 players from two different cohorts of male collegiate student football athletes from two different competitive seasons of Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision. This study evaluated changes in biomarker concentrations (as indicators of brain injury) over the course of the playing season (pre- and post-season) and also assessed biomarker concentrations by player position using two different published classification systems. Player positions were divided into: 1) speed (quarterbacks, running backs, halfbacks, fullbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, defensive backs, safety, and linebackers) versus non-speed (offensive and defensive linemen), and 2) "Profile 1" (low frequency/high strain magnitudes positions including quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs), "Profile 2" (mid-range impact frequency and strain positions including linebackers, running backs, and tight ends), and "Profile 3" (high frequency/low strains positions including defensive and offensive linemen). There were significant increases in GFAP 39.3 to 45.6 pg/mL and NF-L 3.5 to 5.4 pg/mL over the course of the season (p < 0.001) despite only five players being diagnosed with concussion. UCH-L1 decreased significantly, and Tau was not significantly different. In both the pre- and post-season blood samples Tau and NF-L concentrations were significantly higher in speed versus non-speed positions. Concentrations of GFAP, Tau, and NF-L increased incrementally from "Profile 3," to "Profile 2" to "Profile 1" in the post-season. UCH-L1 did not. GFAP increased (by Profiles 3, 2, 1) from 42.4 to 49.6 to 78.2, respectively (p = 0.051). Tau increased from 0.37 to 0.61 to 0.67, respectively (p = 0.024). NF-L increased from 3.5 to 4.9 to 8.2, respectively (p < 0.001). Although GFAP and Tau showed similar patterns of elevations by profile in the pre-season samples they were not statistically significant. Only NF-L showed significant differences between profiles 2.7 to 3.1 to 4.2 in the pre-season (p = 0.042). GFAP, Tau, and NF-L concentrations were significantly associated with different playing positions with the highest concentrations in speed and "Profile 1" positions and the lowest concentrations were in non-speed and "Profile 3" positions. Blood-based biomarkers (GFAP, Tau, NF-L) provide an additional layer of injury quantification that could contribute to a better understanding of the risks of playing different positions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Papa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, Florida, USA
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexa E. Walter
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James R. Wilkes
- Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hunter S. Clonts
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Brian Johnson
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Semyon M. Slobounov
- Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Repeated Sub-Concussive Impacts and the Negative Effects of Contact Sports on Cognition and Brain Integrity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127098. [PMID: 35742344 PMCID: PMC9222631 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Sports are yielding a wealth of benefits for cardiovascular fitness, for psychological resilience, and for cognition. The amount of practice, and the type of practiced sports, are of importance to obtain these benefits and avoid any side effects. This is especially important in the context of contact sports. Contact sports are not only known to be a major source of injuries of the musculoskeletal apparatus, they are also significantly related to concussion and sub-concussion. Sub-concussive head impacts accumulate throughout the active sports career, and thus can cause measurable deficits and changes to brain health. Emerging research in the area of cumulative sub-concussions in contact sports has revealed several associated markers of brain injury. For example, recent studies discovered that repeated headers in soccer not only cause measurable signs of cognitive impairment but are also related to a prolonged cortical silent period in transcranial magnetic stimulation measurements. Other cognitive and neuroimaging biomarkers are also pointing to adverse effects of heading. A range of fluid biomarkers completes the picture of cumulating effects of sub-concussive impacts. Those accumulating effects can cause significant cognitive impairment later in life of active contact sportswomen and men. The aim of this review is to highlight the current scientific evidence on the effects of repeated sub-concussive head impacts on contact sports athletes’ brains, identify the areas in need of further investigation, highlight the potential of advanced neuroscientific methods, and comment on the steps governing bodies have made to address this issue. We conclude that there are indeed neural and biofluid markers that can help better understand the effects of repeated sub-concussive head impacts and that some aspects of contact sports should be redefined, especially in situations where sub-concussive impacts and concussions can be minimized.
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Soriano S, Curry K, Sadrameli SS, Wang Q, Nute M, Reeves E, Kabir R, Wiese J, Criswell A, Schodrof S, Britz GW, Gadhia R, Podell K, Treangen T, Villapol S. Alterations to the gut microbiome after sport-related concussion in a collegiate football players cohort: A pilot study. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 21:100438. [PMID: 35284846 PMCID: PMC8914332 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Concussions, both single and repetitive, cause brain and body alterations in athletes during contact sports. The role of the brain-gut connection and changes in the microbiota have not been well established after sports-related concussions or repetitive subconcussive impacts. We recruited 33 Division I Collegiate football players and collected blood, stool, and saliva samples at three time points throughout the athletic season: mid-season, following the last competitive game (post-season), and after a resting period in the off-season. Additional samples were collected from four athletes that suffered from a concussion. 16S rRNA sequencing of the gut microbiome revealed a decrease in abundance for two bacterial species, Eubacterium rectale, and Anaerostipes hadrus, after a diagnosed concussion. No significant differences were found regarding the salivary microbiome. Serum biomarker analysis shows an increase in GFAP blood levels in athletes during the competitive season. Additionally, S100β and SAA blood levels were positively correlated with the abundance of Eubacterium rectale species among the group of athletes that did not suffer a diagnosed concussion during the sports season. These findings provide initial evidence that detecting changes in the gut microbiome may help to improve concussion diagnosis following head injury. A longitudinal study following college football athletes across a sports season. Nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing of gut microbiome reveals changes after head injury. Serum biomarker GFAP increased during the competitive period of the season. S100β and SAA blood levels were positively correlated with Eubacterium rectale. Gut microbiota is suggested as a future biomarker for diagnosis following head injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirena Soriano
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kristen Curry
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Qi Wang
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.,Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology Program, Rice University, TX, USA
| | - Michael Nute
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth Reeves
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rasadul Kabir
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan Wiese
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amber Criswell
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah Schodrof
- Department of Athletics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gavin W Britz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rajan Gadhia
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kenneth Podell
- Department of Neurology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Todd Treangen
- Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sonia Villapol
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience in Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, USA
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8
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Diaz-Pacheco V, Vargas-Medrano J, Tran E, Nicolas M, Price D, Patel R, Tonarelli S, Gadad BS. Prognosis and Diagnostic Biomarkers of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Current Status and Future Prospects. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 86:943-959. [PMID: 35147534 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is the most prevalent type of TBI (80-90%). It is characterized by a loss consciousness for less than 30 minutes, post-traumatic amnesia for less than 24 hours, and Glasgow Coma Score of 13-15. Accurately diagnosing mTBIs can be a challenge because the majority of these injuries do not show noticeable or visible changes on neuroimaging studies. Appropriate determination of mTBI is tremendously important because it might lead in some cases to post-concussion syndrome, cognitive impairments including attention, memory, and speed of information processing problems. The scientists have studied different methods to improve mTBI diagnosis and enhanced approaches that would accurately determine the severity of the trauma. The present review focuses on discussing the role of biomarkers as potential key factors in diagnosing mTBI. The present review focuses on 1) protein based peripheral and CNS markers, 2) genetic biomarkers, 3) imaging biomarkers, 4) neurophysiological biomarkers, and 5) the studies and clinical trials in mTBI. Each section provides information and characteristics on different biomarkers for mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Diaz-Pacheco
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA.,Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Javier Vargas-Medrano
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA.,Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Eric Tran
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Meza Nicolas
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Diamond Price
- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Richa Patel
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Silvina Tonarelli
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Bharathi S Gadad
- Department of Psychiatry, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA.,Southwest Brain Bank, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX, USA
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Heileson JL, Anzalone AJ, Carbuhn AF, Askow AT, Stone JD, Turner SM, Hillyer LM, Ma DWL, Luedke JA, Jagim AR, Oliver JM. The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on a biomarker of head trauma in NCAA football athletes: a multi-site, non-randomized study. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2021; 18:65. [PMID: 34579748 PMCID: PMC8477477 DOI: 10.1186/s12970-021-00461-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background American-style football (ASF) athletes are at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and exhibit elevated levels of serum neurofilament light (Nf-L), a biomarker of axonal injury that is associated with repetitive head impact exposure over the course of a season of competition. Supplementation with the w-3 fatty acid (FA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) attenuates serum Nf-L elevations and improves aspects of CVD, such as the omega-3 index (O3I). However, the effect of combining the w-3 FA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) with DHA on, specifically, serum Nf-L in ASF athletes is unknown. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of supplemental w-3 FA (EPA+DPA+DHA) on serum Nf-L, plasma w-3 FAs, the O3I, and surrogate markers of inflammation over the course of a season. Methods A multi-site, non-randomized design, utilizing two American football teams was employed. One team (n = 3 1) received supplementation with a highly bioavailablew-3 FA formulation (2000mg DHA, 560mg EPA, 320mg DPA, Mindset®, Struct Nutrition, Missoula, MT) during pre-season and throughout the regular season, while the second team served as the control (n = 35) and did not undergo supplementation. Blood was sampled at specific times throughout pre- and regular season coincident w ith changes in intensity, physical contact, and changes in the incidence and severity of head impacts. Group differences were determined via a mixed-model between-within subjects ANOVA. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s dfor all between-group differences. Significance was set a priori at p< .05. Results Compared to the control group, ASF athletes in the treatment group experienced large increases in plasma EPA (p < .001, d = 1.71) and DHA (p < .001, d = 2.10) which contributed to increases in the O3I (p < .001, d = 2.16) and the EPA:AA ratio (p = .001, d = 0.83) and a reduction in the w-6: w-3 ratio (p < .001, d = 1.80). w-3 FA supplementation attenuated elevations in Nf-L (p = .024). The control group experienced a significant increase in Nf-L compared to baseline at several measurement time points (T2, T3, and T4 [p range < .001 – .005, drange = 0.59-0.85]). Conclusions These findings suggest a cardio- and neuroprotective effect of combined EPA+DPA+DHA w-3 FA supplementation in American-style football athletes. Trial registration This trial was registered with the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN90306741).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery L Heileson
- Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Andrew T Askow
- Nutrition and Exercise Performance Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Jason D Stone
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Stephanie M Turner
- Department of Kinesiology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Lyn M Hillyer
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - David W L Ma
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Joel A Luedke
- Athletics Department, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA
| | - Andrew R Jagim
- Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Onalaska, WI, USA
| | - Jonathan M Oliver
- Department of Kinesiology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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10
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Walter AE, Wilkes JR, Arnett PA, Miller SJ, Sebastianelli W, Seidenberg P, Slobounov SM. The accumulation of subconcussive impacts on cognitive, imaging, and biomarker outcomes in child and college-aged athletes: a systematic review. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:503-517. [PMID: 34308510 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00489-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Examine the effect of subconcussive impact accumulation on cognitive/functional, imaging, and biomarker outcomes over the course of a single season, specifically in contact sport athletes at collegiate level or younger. Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and using Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence and Newcastle Ottawa Assessment Scale. PubMed MEDLINE, PsycInfo, SPORT-Discus, Web of Science. Original research in English that addressed the influence of subconcussive impacts on outcomes of interest with minimum preseason and postseason measurement in current youth, high school, or college-aged contact sport athletes. 796 articles were initially identified, and 48 articles were included in this review. The studies mostly involved male football athletes in high school or college and demonstrated an underrepresentation of female and youth studies. Additionally, operationalization of previous concussion history and concussion among studies was very inconsistent. Major methodological differences existed across studies, with ImPACT and diffusion tensor imaging being the most commonly used modalities. Biomarker studies generally showed negative effects, cognitive/functional studies mostly revealed no effects, and advanced imaging studies showed generally negative findings over the season; however, there was variability in the findings across all types of studies. This systematic review revealed growing literature on this topic, but inconsistent methodology and operationalization across studies makes it challenging to draw concrete conclusions. Overall, cognitive measures alone do not seem to detect changes across this timeframe while imaging and biomarker measures may be more sensitive to changes following subconcussive impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa E Walter
- Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 25 Recreation Hall, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - James R Wilkes
- Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 25 Recreation Hall, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Peter A Arnett
- Department of Psychology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Sayers John Miller
- Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 25 Recreation Hall, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Wayne Sebastianelli
- Deparetment of Orthopaedics, Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Peter Seidenberg
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and Family and Community Medicine, Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Semyon M Slobounov
- Department of Kinesiology, Penn State University, 25 Recreation Hall, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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11
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Ding X, Zhang S, Jiang L, Wang L, Li T, Lei P. Ultrasensitive assays for detection of plasma tau and phosphorylated tau 181 in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:10. [PMID: 33712071 PMCID: PMC7953695 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00234-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A lack of convenient and reliable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis is a common challenge for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent advancement in ultrasensitive protein assays has allowed the quantification of tau and phosphorylated tau proteins in peripheral plasma. Here we identified 66 eligible studies reporting quantification of plasma tau and phosphorylated tau 181 (ptau181) using four ultrasensitive methods. Meta-analysis of these studies confirmed that the AD patients had significantly higher plasma tau and ptau181 levels compared with controls, and that the plasma tau and ptau181 could predict AD with high-accuracy area under curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic. Therefore, plasma tau and plasma ptau181 can be considered as biomarkers for AD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xulong Ding
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shuting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lijun Jiang
- Mental Health Center and West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Tao Li
- Mental Health Center and West China Brain Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Peng Lei
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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12
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Kawata K, Steinfeldt JA, Huibregtse ME, Nowak MK, Macy JT, Kercher K, Rettke DJ, Shin A, Chen Z, Ejima K, Newman SD, Cheng H. Association Between Proteomic Blood Biomarkers and DTI/NODDI Metrics in Adolescent Football Players: A Pilot Study. Front Neurol 2020; 11:581781. [PMID: 33304306 PMCID: PMC7701105 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.581781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While neuroimaging and blood biomarker have been two of the most active areas of research in the neurotrauma community, these fields rarely intersect to delineate subconcussive brain injury. The aim of the study was to examine the association between diffusion MRI techniques [diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation/dispersion density imaging (NODDI)] and brain-injury blood biomarker levels [tau, neurofilament-light (NfL), glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein (GFAP)] in high-school football players at their baseline, aiming to detect cumulative neuronal damage from prior seasons. Twenty-five football players were enrolled in the study. MRI measures and blood samples were obtained during preseason data collection. The whole-brain, tract-based spatial statistics was conducted for six diffusion metrics: fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial/radial diffusivity (AD, RD), neurite density index (NDI), and orientation dispersion index (ODI). Five players were ineligible for MRIs, and three serum samples were excluded due to hemolysis, resulting in 17 completed set of diffusion metrics and blood biomarker levels for association analysis. Our permutation-based regression model revealed that serum tau levels were significantly associated with MD and NDI in various axonal tracts; specifically, elevated serum tau levels correlated to elevated MD (p = 0.0044) and reduced NDI (p = 0.016) in the corpus callosum and surrounding white matter tracts (e.g., longitudinal fasciculus). Additionally, there was a negative association between NfL and ODI in the focal area of the longitudinal fasciculus. Our data suggest that high school football players may develop axonal microstructural abnormality in the corpus callosum and surrounding white matter tracts, such as longitudinal fasciculus. A future study is warranted to determine the longitudinal multimodal relationship in response to repetitive exposure to sports-related head impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Kawata
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Program in Neuroscience, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Jesse A. Steinfeldt
- Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, School of Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Megan E. Huibregtse
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Madeleine K. Nowak
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Jonathan T. Macy
- Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Kyle Kercher
- Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Devin J. Rettke
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Andrea Shin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Zhongxue Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Keisuke Ejima
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Sharlene D. Newman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Alabama Life Research Institute, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Hu Cheng
- Program in Neuroscience, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
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13
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Thangavelu B, LaValle CR, Egnoto MJ, Nemes J, Boutté AM, Kamimori GH. Overpressure Exposure From .50-Caliber Rifle Training Is Associated With Increased Amyloid Beta Peptides in Serum. Front Neurol 2020; 11:620. [PMID: 32849168 PMCID: PMC7396645 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Overpressure (OP) is an increase in air pressure above normal atmospheric levels. Military personnel are repeatedly exposed to low levels of OP caused by various weapon systems. Repeated OP may increase risk of neurological disease or psychological disorder diagnoses. A means to detect early phase effects that may be relevant to brain trauma remain elusive. Therefore, development of quantitative and objective OP-mediated effects during acute timeframes would vastly augment point-of-care or field-based decisions. This pilot study evaluated the amplitude of traumatic brain injury (TBI)–associated biomarkers in serum as a consequence of repeated OP exposure from .50-caliber rifle use over training multiple days. Objective: To determine the acute temporal profile of TBI-associated serum biomarkers and their relationship with neurocognitive decrements or self-reported symptoms among participants exposed to low-level, repeated OP from weapons used in a training environment. Methods: Study participants were enrolled in .50-caliber sniper rifle training and exposed to mild OP (peak pressure 3.8–4.5 psi, impulse 19.27–42.22 psi-ms per day) for three consecutive days (D1–D3). Defense automated neurobehavioral assessment (DANA) neurocognitive testing, symptom reporting, and blood collection were conducted 2–3 h before (pre-) and again 0.45–3 h after (post-) OP exposure. The TBI-associated serum biomarkers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), neurofilament light (Nf-L), tau, and amyloid beta peptides (Aβ-40 and Aβ-42) were measured using digital ELISAs. Results: Serum GFAP decreased on D1 and D3 but not D2 after OP exposure. Nf-L was suppressed on D3 alone. Aβ-40 was elevated on D2 alone while Aβ-42 was elevated each day after OP exposure. Suppression of GFAP and elevation of Aβ-42 correlated to OP-mediated impulse levels measured on D3. Conclusions: Acute measurement of Aβ-peptides may have utility as biomarkers of subconcussive OP caused by rifle fire. Fluctuation of GFAP, Nf-L, and particularly Aβ peptide levels may have utility as acute, systemic responders of subconcussive OP exposure caused by rifle fire even in the absence of extreme operational deficits or clinically defined concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharani Thangavelu
- Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Christina R LaValle
- Blast Induced Neurotrauma Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Michael J Egnoto
- Blast Induced Neurotrauma Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Jeffrey Nemes
- Blast Induced Neurotrauma Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Angela M Boutté
- Brain Trauma Neuroprotection Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Gary H Kamimori
- Blast Induced Neurotrauma Branch, Center for Military Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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14
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Lambertsen KL, Soares CB, Gaist D, Nielsen HH. Neurofilaments: The C-Reactive Protein of Neurology. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10010056. [PMID: 31963750 PMCID: PMC7016784 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofilaments (NFs) are quickly becoming the biomarkers of choice in the field of neurology, suggesting their use as an unspecific screening marker, much like the use of elevated plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) in other fields. With sensitive techniques being readily available, evidence is growing regarding the diagnostic and prognostic value of NFs in many neurological disorders. Here, we review the latest literature on the structure and function of NFs and report the strengths and pitfalls of NFs as markers of neurodegeneration in the context of neurological diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Lambertsen
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsloewsvej 4, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; (K.L.L.); (C.B.S.); (D.G.)
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 21, st, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
- BRIDGE—Brain Research—Inter Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 19, 3. sal, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Catarina B. Soares
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsloewsvej 4, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; (K.L.L.); (C.B.S.); (D.G.)
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 21, st, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - David Gaist
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsloewsvej 4, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; (K.L.L.); (C.B.S.); (D.G.)
- BRIDGE—Brain Research—Inter Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 19, 3. sal, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Neurology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Helle H. Nielsen
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsloewsvej 4, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; (K.L.L.); (C.B.S.); (D.G.)
- Department of Neurobiology Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 21, st, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
- BRIDGE—Brain Research—Inter Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 19, 3. sal, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Neurology Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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15
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Kelley CM, Perez SE, Mufson EJ. Tau pathology in the medial temporal lobe of athletes with chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a chronic effects of neurotrauma consortium study. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019; 7:207. [PMID: 31831066 PMCID: PMC6909582 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-019-0861-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition associated with repetitive traumatic brain injury (rTBI) seen in contact-sport athletes and military personnel. The medial temporal lobe (MTL; i.e., hippocampus, subiculum, and entorhinal and perirhinal cortices) memory circuit displays tau lesions during the pathological progression of CTE. We examined MTL tissue obtained from 40 male Caucasian and African American athletes who received a postmortem CTE neuropathological diagnosis defined as stage II, III, or IV. Sections were immunolabeled using an early (AT8) or a late (TauC3) marker for pathological tau and for amyloid beta (Aβ) species (6E10, Aβ1-42 and thioflavin S). Stereological analysis revealed that stage III had significantly less AT8-positive neurons and dystrophic neurites than stage IV in all MTL regions except hippocampal subfield CA3, whereas significantly more AT8-positive neurons, dystrophic neurites, and neurite clusters were found in the perirhinal cortex, entorhinal cortex, hippocampal CA1, and subiculum of CTE stage III compared with stage II. TauC3-positive pathology was significantly higher in the perirhinal and subicular cortex of stage IV compared to stage III and the perirhinal cortex of stage III compared to stage II. AT8-positive neurite clusters were observed in stages III and IV, but virtually absent in stage II. When observed, Aβ pathology appeared as amyloid precursor protein (APP)/Aβ (6E10)-positive diffuse plaques independent of region. Thioflavine S labeling, did not reveal evidence for fibril or neuritic pathology associated with plaques, confirming a diffuse, non-cored plaque phenotype in CTE. Total number of AT8-positive profiles correlated with age at death, age at symptom onset, and time from retirement to death. There was no association between AT8-positive tau pathology and age sport began, years played, or retirement age, and no difference between CTE stage and the highest level of sport played. In summary, our findings demonstrate different tau profiles in the MTL across CTE stages, proffering CA3 tau pathology and MTL dystrophic neurite clusters as possible markers for the transition between early (II) and late (III/IV) stages, while highlighting CTE as a progressive noncommunicative tauopathy.
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16
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Anzalone A, Carbuhn A, Jones L, Gallop A, Smith A, Johnson P, Swearingen L, Moore C, Rimer E, McBeth J, Harris W, Kirk KM, Gable D, Askow A, Jennings W, Oliver JM. The Omega-3 Index in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Collegiate Football Athletes. J Athl Train 2019; 54:7-11. [PMID: 30645147 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-387-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The essential omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exhibit vital biological roles and are critical for cardiovascular and neurologic health. Compared with the general population, football athletes may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Further, those same athletes are also exposed to repetitive head impacts, which may lead to long-term neurologic deficits. Both diets high in ω-3 FAs and supplementation with ω-3 FAs have been reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and early evidence suggests a potential neuroprotective effect of supplementation. OBJECTIVE To determine the (1) erythrocyte content of DHA and EPA, as measured by the Omega-3 Index, expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids, in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football athletes and (2) distribution across the Omega-3 Index risk zones established for cardiovascular disease: high risk, <4%; intermediate risk, 4% to 8%; and low risk, >8%. DESIGN Cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTING Multicenter trial. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Deidentified data including complete erythrocyte fatty acid profile from the 2017-2018 season, age at time of testing, height, weight, and ethnicity were collected from 404 athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Omega-3 Index. RESULTS About 34% of athletes (n = 138) had an Omega-3 Index considered high risk (<4%), and 66% (n = 266) had a risk considered intermediate (4%-8%). None had a low-risk Omega-3 Index. CONCLUSIONS The Omega-3 Index is a simple, minimally invasive test of ω-3 FA status. Our data indicate that football athletes may be deficient in the ω-3 FAs DHA and EPA. The fact that no athlete had an Omega-3 Index associated with low risk suggests football athletes may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Anzalone
- The Sport Science Center at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
| | - Aaron Carbuhn
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City
| | | | - Ally Gallop
- University of Utah Athletics, Salt Lake City
| | - Alex Smith
- University of Utah Athletics, Salt Lake City
| | | | | | - Craig Moore
- University of Utah Athletics, Salt Lake City
| | | | - Joe McBeth
- University of Utah Athletics, Salt Lake City
| | - William Harris
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion.,OmegaQuant, LLC, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - K Michelle Kirk
- Athletics, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth.,JPS Sports Medicine Fellowship, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
| | - David Gable
- Athletics, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
| | - Andrew Askow
- The Sport Science Center at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
| | - Will Jennings
- The Sport Science Center at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
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17
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Ojo JO, Crynen G, Reed JM, Ajoy R, Vallabhaneni P, Algamal M, Leary P, Rafi NG, Mouzon B, Mullan M, Crawford F. Unbiased Proteomic Approach Identifies Unique and Coincidental Plasma Biomarkers in Repetitive mTBI and AD Pathogenesis. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:405. [PMID: 30618712 PMCID: PMC6305374 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (r-mTBI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is well-recognized. However, the precise nature of how r-mTBI leads to or precipitates AD pathogenesis is currently not understood. Plasma biomarkers potentially provide non-invasive tools for detecting neurological changes in the brain, and can reveal overlaps between long-term consequences of r-mTBI and AD. In this study we address this by generating time-dependent molecular profiles of response to r-mTBI and AD pathogenesis in mouse models using unbiased proteomic analyses. To model AD, we used the well-validated hTau and PSAPP(APP/PS1) mouse models that develop age-related tau and amyloid pathological features, respectively, and our well-established model of r-mTBI in C57BL/6 mice. Plasma were collected at different ages (3, 9, and 15 months-old for hTau and PSAPP mice), encompassing pre-, peri- and post-"onset" of the cognitive and neuropathological phenotypes, or at different timepoints after r-mTBI (24 h, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-injury). Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) approaches coupled with Tandem Mass Tag labeling technology were applied to develop molecular profiles of protein species that were significantly differentially expressed as a consequence of mTBI or AD. Mixed model ANOVA after Benjamini-Hochberg correction, and a stringent cut-off identified 31 proteins significantly changing in r-mTBI groups over time and, when compared with changes over time in sham mice, 13 of these were unique to the injured mice. The canonical pathways predicted to be modulated by these changes were LXR/RXR activation, production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species and complement systems. We identified 18 proteins significantly changing in PSAPP mice and 19 proteins in hTau mice compared to their wild-type littermates with aging. Six proteins were found to be significantly regulated in all three models, i.e., r-mTBI, hTau, and PSAPP mice compared to their controls. The top canonical pathways coincidently changing in all three models were LXR/RXR activation, and production of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species. This work suggests potential biomarkers for TBI and AD pathogenesis and for the overlap between these two, and warrant targeted investigation in human populations. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD010664.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph O. Ojo
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
- James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States
- Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Gogce Crynen
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
- Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Jon M. Reed
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, CT, United States
| | - Rosa Ajoy
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
| | - Prashanthi Vallabhaneni
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
| | - Moustafa Algamal
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
- Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Paige Leary
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
| | - Naomi G. Rafi
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
| | - Benoit Mouzon
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
- James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States
- Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Mullan
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
- Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Crawford
- Experimental Neuropathology and Proteomic Laboratory, Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL, United States
- James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States
- Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
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