Interaction of
APOE4 alleles and PET tau imaging in former contact sport athletes.
Neuroimage Clin 2020;
26:102212. [PMID:
32097865 PMCID:
PMC7037542 DOI:
10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102212]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Genetic polymorphisms like apolipoprotein E (APOE) and microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) genes increase the risk of neurodegeneration.
METHODS
38 former players (age 52.63±14.02) of contact sports underwent neuroimaging, biofluid collection, and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. The [F-18]AV-1451 tracer signal was compared in the cortical grey matter between APOE4 allele carriers and non-carriers as well as carriers of MAPT H1H1 vs non-H1H1. Participants were then divided into the high (N = 13) and low (N = 13) groups based on cortical PET tau standard uptake value ratios (SUVRs) for comparison.
FINDINGS
Cortical grey matter PET tau SUVR values were significantly higher in APOE4 carriers compared to non-carriers (p = 0.020). In contrast, there was no significant difference in SUVR between MAPT H1H1 vs non-H1H1 carrier genes (p = 1.00). There was a significantly higher APOE4 allele frequency in the high cortical grey matter PET tau group, comparing to low cortical grey matter PET tau group (p = 0.048). No significant difference in neuropsychological function was found between APOE4 allele carriers and non-carriers.
INTERPRETATION
There is an association between higher cortical grey matter tau burden as seen with [F-18]AV-1451 PET tracer SUVR, and the APOE4 allele in former professional and semi-professional players at high risk of concussions. APOE4 allele may be a risk factor for tau accumulation in former contact sports athletes at high risk of neurodegeneration.
FUNDING
Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundations; Weston Brain Institute; Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in ageing; Krembil Research Institute. There was no role of the funders in this study.
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