TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - Soccer heading is associated with white matter microstructural and cognitive abnormalities
JO  - Radiology
A1  - Lipton, Michael L.
A1  - Kim, Namhee
A1  - Zimmerman, Molly E.
A1  - Kim, Mimi
A1  - Stewart, Walter F.
A1  - Branch, Craig A.
A1  - Lipton, Richard B.
SP  - 850
EP  - 857
VL  - 268
IS  - 3
N2  - Purpose:To investigate the association of soccer heading with subclinical evidence of traumatic brain injury.Materials and Methods:With institutional review board approval and compliance with HIPAA guidelines, 37 amateur soccer players (mean age, 30.9 years; 75% [28] men, 25% [nine] women) gave written informed consent and completed a questionnaire to quantify heading in the prior 12 months and lifetime concussions. Diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 3.0 T was performed (32 directions; b value, 800 sec/mm(2); 2 × 2 × 2-mm voxels). Cognitive function was measured by using a computerized battery of tests. Voxelwise linear regression (heading vs fractional anisotropy [FA]) was applied to identify significant regional associations. FA at each location and cognition were tested for a nonlinear relationship to heading by using an inverse logit model that incorporated demographic covariates and history of concussion.Results:Participants had headed 32-5400 times (median, 432 times) over the previous year. Heading was associated with lower FA at three locations in temporo-occipital white matter with a threshold that varied according to location (885-1550 headings per year) (P < .00001). Lower levels of FA were also associated with poorer memory scores (P < .00001), with a threshold of 1800 headings per year. Lifetime concussion history and demographic features were not significantly associated with either FA or cognitive performance.Conclusion:Heading is associated with abnormal white matter microstructure and with poorer neurocognitive performance. This relationship is not explained by a history of concussion.© RSNA, 2013.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0033-8419
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/radiol.13130545
ID  - ref1
ER  -