@article{ref1,
title="Genetics and other risk factors for past concussions in active-duty soldiers",
journal="Journal of neurotrauma",
year="2016",
author="Dretsch, Michael and Silverberg, Noah D. and Gardner, Andrew and Panenka, William and Emmerich, Tanja and Crynen, Gogce and Ait-Ghenzala, Ghania and Chaytow, Helena and Mathura, Venkatarajan and Crawford, Fiona C. and Iverson, Grant L.",
volume="34",
number="4",
pages="869-875",
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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0897-7151",
doi="10.1089/neu.2016.4480",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/neu.2016.4480"
}