Citation

Dretsch M, Silverberg ND, Gardner A, Panenka W, Emmerich T, Crynen G, Ait-Ghenzala G, Chaytow H, Mathura V, Crawford FC, Iverson GL. J. Neurotrauma 2016; 34(4): 869-875.

Affiliation

Harvard Medical School, Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, Boston, Massachusetts, United States ; giverson@mgh.harvard.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2016.4480

PMID

27396498

Abstract

Risk factors for concussion in active-duty military service members are poorly understood. The present study examined the association between self-reported concussion history and genetics [Apolipoprotein E (APOE), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and D2 dopamine receptor genes (DRD2)], trait personality measures (impulsive-sensation seeking and trait aggression-hostility), and current alcohol use. The sample included 458 soldiers who were preparing to deploy for Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. For those with the BDNF Met/Met genotype, 57.9% (11/19) had a history of 1 or more prior concussions, compared to 35.6% (154/432) of those with other BDNF genotypes (p =.049, OR = 2.48). APOE and DRD2 genotypes were not associated with risk for past concussions. Those with the BDNF Met/Met genotype also reported greater aggression and hostility personality characteristics. When combined in a predictive model, prior military deployments, being male, and having the BDNF Met/Met genotype were independently associated with increased lifetime history of concussions in active-duty soldiers. Replication in larger independent samples is necessary to have more confidence in both the positive and negative genetic associations reported in this study.

Language: en