@article{ref1,
title="BDNF val<sup>66</sup>met positive players demonstrate diffusion tensor imaging consistent with impaired myelination associated with high levels of soccer heading: indication of a potential gene-environment interaction mechanism",
journal="Frontiers in neurology",
year="2019",
author="Hunter, Liane E. and Freudenberg-Hua, Yun and Davies, Peter and Kim, Mimi and Fleysher, Roman and Stewart, Walter F. and Lipton, Richard B. and Lipton, Michael L.",
volume="10",
number="",
pages="e1297-e1297",
abstract="The purpose of this study was to examine the potential effect modifying role of the BDNF Val<sup>66</sup>Met polymorphism on the association of soccer heading with white matter microstructure. We studied 312 players enrolled in the ongoing Einstein Soccer Study, a longitudinal study of amateur soccer player in New York City and surrounding areas. At enrollment and 2 years later, total heading in the prior 12 months (12-mo.) was estimated using an established self-report instrument and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) logistic regression models were employed to test effect modification by the BDNF Val<sup>66</sup>Met polymorphism on the association between 12-mo. heading exposure and DTI. We identified a significant interaction of 12-mo heading<sup>*</sup>BDNF Val<sup>66</sup>Met genotype on the presence of low Radial Diffusivity, a DTI marker associated with myelination. Only Met (+) players demonstrated significantly reduced odds of low RD [OR (95 % CI): -2.36 (-3.53, -1.19)] associated with the highest vs. lowest quartile of 12-mo heading exposure. BDNF Val<sup>66</sup>Met (+) soccer players with long-term exposure to high levels of heading exhibit less low Radial Diffusivity, suggesting impaired re-myelination may be a substrate of the previously reported association between heading and poor functional outcomes in soccer players.<br><br>Copyright © 2019 Hunter, Freudenberg-Hua, Davies, Kim, Fleysher, Stewart, Lipton and Lipton.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1664-2295",
doi="10.3389/fneur.2019.01297",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.01297"
}