Citation

Alosco ML, Koerte IK, Tripodis Y, Mariani M, Chua AS, Jarnagin J, Rahimpour Y, Puzo C, Healy RC, Martin B, Chaisson CE, Cantu RC, Au R, McClean M, McKee AC, Lin AP, Shenton ME, Killiany RJ, Stern RA. Alzheimers Dement. (Amst) 2018; 10: 56-65.

Affiliation

Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, The Author(s), Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.dadm.2017.10.003

PMID

29201991

PMCID

PMC5699890

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Later-life brain alterations in former tackle football players are poorly understood, particularly regarding their relationship with repetitive head impacts (RHIs) and clinical function. We examined white matter signal abnormalities (WMSAs) and their association with RHIs and clinical function in former National Football League (NFL) players.

METHODS: Eighty-six clinically symptomatic former NFL players and 23 same-age reportedly asymptomatic controls without head trauma exposure underwent magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological testing. FreeSurfer calculated WMSAs. A cumulative head impact index quantified RHIs.

RESULTS: In former NFL players, increased volume of WMSAs was associated with higher cumulative head impact index scores (P = .043) and worse psychomotor speed and executive function (P = .015). Although former NFL players had greater WMSA volume than controls (P = .046), these findings are inconclusive due to recruitment of controls based on lack of clinical symptoms and head trauma exposure.

DISCUSSION: In former NFL players, WMSAs may reflect long-term microvascular and nonmicrovascular pathologies from RHIs that negatively impact cognition.

Language: en

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease; Chronic traumatic encephalopathy; Cognitive function; Concussion; Repetitive head impacts; Subconcussive; White matter hyperintensities; White matter signal abnormalities