@article{ref1,
title="Concussion-related deficits in the general population predict impairments in varsity footballers",
journal="Journal of neurology",
year="2020",
author="Stafford, Clara Alexandra and Stojanoski, Bobby and Wild, Conor J. and Brewer-Deluce, Danielle and Wilson, Timothy D. and Owen, Adrian M.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: We investigated the long-term cognitive effects of concussion in 19,261 members of the general population and a cohort of varsity American football players with a history of frequent head impacts, using tests that are known to be sensitive to small changes in performance. <br><br>METHODS: We asked 19,261 participants to complete a demographic questionnaire and 12 cognitive tests measuring aspects of executive function, including inhibitory control. We compared the performance of those reporting a history of concussion (post-concussion) to those reporting no history of concussion (non-concussed) on the cognitive battery and four non-cognitive variables. We used the results of this population-level study to predict the profile of cognitive performance in varsity American football players, who completed the same cognitive tasks. <br><br>RESULTS: Post-concussion and non-concussed participants did not differ on 11 of the 12 cognitive tasks employed. However, on a test of inhibitory control based on the classic Stroop paradigm, post-concussion participants showed accuracy-related impairments specific to the incongruent conditions of the task. Post-concussion participants reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and trouble concentrating. An entirely independent sample of 74 varsity American football players demonstrated the same pattern of impairment: compared to healthy controls, they scored significantly lower on the test of inhibitory control but were indistinguishable from controls on the 11 other tasks. <br><br>INTERPRETATION: Self-reported concussion is not associated with long-term general effects on cognitive function. Nevertheless, those who report at least one concussion and those who expose themselves to long-term frequent sport-related head impacts do have a modest, but statistically robust, deficit of inhibitory control.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0340-5354",
doi="10.1007/s00415-020-09749-9",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00415-020-09749-9"
}