TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Concussion-related deficits in the general population predict impairments in varsity footballers
JO  - Journal of neurology
A1  - Stafford, Clara Alexandra
A1  - Stojanoski, Bobby
A1  - Wild, Conor J.
A1  - Brewer-Deluce, Danielle
A1  - Wilson, Timothy D.
A1  - Owen, Adrian M.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0340-5354
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00415-020-09749-9
ID  - ref1
ER  -