Citation

Alosco ML, Tripodis Y, Jarnagin J, Baugh CM, Martin B, Chaisson CE, Estochen N, Song L, Cantu RC, Jeromin A, Stern RA. Alzheimers Dement. (Amst) 2017; 7: 33-40.

Affiliation

Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, The Author(s), Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.dadm.2016.11.003

PMID

28229128

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Blood protein analysis of total tau (t-tau) may be a practical screening biomarker for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative tauopathy associated with repetitive head impact (RHI) exposure. We examined plasma t-tau in symptomatic former National Football League (NFL) players compared with controls and the relationship between RHI exposure and later-life plasma t-tau.

METHODS: Ninety-six former NFL players (age 40-69) and 25 same-age controls underwent blood draw to determine plasma t-tau levels. The cumulative head impact index (CHII) quantified RHI exposure. Subjects completed measures of clinical function.

RESULTS: A higher CHII predicted greater plasma t-tau in the former NFL players (P = .0137). No group differences in plasma t-tau emerged, but a concentration ≥3.56 pg/mL was 100% specific to former NFL players. Plasma t-tau did not predict clinical function.

DISCUSSION: Greater RHI exposure predicted higher later-life plasma t-tau concentrations, and further study on plasma t-tau as a candidate screening biomarker for CTE is warranted.

Keywords: American football;

Language: en

Keywords

American football; Chronic traumatic encephalopathy; Head trauma; Plasma; Repetitive head impacts; Tau; Total tau