1
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Alosco ML, White M, Bell C, Faheem F, Tripodis Y, Yhang E, Baucom Z, Martin B, Palmisano J, Dams-O'Connor K, Crary JF, Goldstein LE, Katz DI, Dwyer B, Daneshvar DH, Nowinski C, Cantu RC, Kowall NW, Stern RA, Alvarez VE, Huber BR, Stein TD, McKee AC, Mez J. Cognitive, functional, and neuropsychiatric correlates of regional tau pathology in autopsy-confirmed chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:10. [PMID: 38317248 PMCID: PMC10845638 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00697-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) accumulation. The clinical features associated with CTE pathology are unclear. In brain donors with autopsy-confirmed CTE, we investigated the association of CTE p-tau pathology density and location with cognitive, functional, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. METHODS In 364 brain donors with autopsy confirmed CTE, semi-quantitative p-tau severity (range: 0-3) was assessed in 10 cortical and subcortical regions. We summed ratings across regions to form a p-tau severity global composite (range: 0-30). Informants completed standardized scales of cognition (Cognitive Difficulties Scale, CDS; BRIEF-A Metacognition Index, MI), activities of daily living (Functional Activities Questionnaire), neurobehavioral dysregulation (BRIEF-A Behavioral Regulation Index, BRI; Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, BIS-11), aggression (Brown-Goodwin Aggression Scale), depression (Geriatric Depression Scale-15, GDS-15), and apathy (Apathy Evaluation Scale, AES). Ordinary least squares regression models examined associations between global and regional p-tau severity (separate models for each region) with each clinical scale, adjusting for age at death, racial identity, education level, and history of hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and substance use treatment. Ridge regression models that incorporated p-tau severity across all regions in the same model assessed which regions showed independent effects. RESULTS The sample was predominantly American football players (333; 91.2%); 140 (38.5%) had low CTE and 224 (61.5%) had high CTE. Global p-tau severity was associated with higher (i.e., worse) scores on the cognitive and functional scales: MI ([Formula: see text] standardized = 0.02, 95%CI = 0.01-0.04), CDS ([Formula: see text] standardized = 0.02, 95%CI = 0.01-0.04), and FAQ ([Formula: see text] standardized = 0.03, 95%CI = 0.01-0.04). After false-discovery rate correction, p-tau severity in the frontal, inferior parietal, and superior temporal cortex, and the amygdala was associated with higher CDS ([Formula: see text] sstandardized = 0.17-0.29, ps < 0.01) and FAQ ([Formula: see text] sstandardized = 0.21-0.26, ps < 0.01); frontal and inferior parietal cortex was associated with higher MI ([Formula: see text] sstandardized = 0.21-0.29, ps < 0.05); frontal cortex was associated with higher BRI ([Formula: see text] standardized = 0.21, p < 0.01). Regions with effects independent of other regions included frontal cortex (CDS, MI, FAQ, BRI), inferior parietal cortex (CDS) and amygdala (FAQ). P-tau explained 13-49% of variance in cognitive and functional scales and 6-14% of variance in neuropsychiatric scales. CONCLUSION Accumulation of p-tau aggregates, especially in the frontal cortex, are associated with cognitive, functional, and certain neurobehavioral symptoms in CTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Micaela White
- Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Carter Bell
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Farwa Faheem
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eukyung Yhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary Baucom
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brett Martin
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Palmisano
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen Dams-O'Connor
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Brain Injury Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lee E Goldstein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Biomedical, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas I Katz
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Braintree, MA, USA
| | - Brigid Dwyer
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Braintree, MA, USA
| | - Daniel H Daneshvar
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christopher Nowinski
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert C Cantu
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA, USA
| | - Neil W Kowall
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert A Stern
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Bertrand Russell Huber
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Ann C McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Lynch SM. Playing professional American football does not increase longevity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2317215120. [PMID: 37991936 PMCID: PMC10710026 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317215120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Scott M. Lynch
- Department of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC2708
- Duke University Population Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC2708
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3
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Stewart W, Buckland ME, Abdolmohammadi B, Affleck AJ, Alvarez VE, Gilchrist S, Huber BR, Lee EB, Lyall DM, Nowinski CJ, Russell ER, Stein TD, Suter CM, McKee AC. Risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in rugby union is associated with length of playing career. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 146:829-832. [PMID: 37872234 PMCID: PMC10627955 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02644-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- William Stewart
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
- Department of Neuropathology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Rd, Glasgow, G51 4TF, UK.
| | - Michael E Buckland
- Department of Neuropathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Bobak Abdolmohammadi
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Andrew J Affleck
- Department of Neuropathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- US Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Shannon Gilchrist
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Bertrand R Huber
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- US Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- US Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Edward B Lee
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Donald M Lyall
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Christopher J Nowinski
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Emma R Russell
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Thor D Stein
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- US Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- US Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
| | - Catherine M Suter
- Department of Neuropathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Ann C McKee
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- US Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- US Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
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4
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Warren JR, Rumore G. The association between playing professional American football and longevity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2308867120. [PMID: 37903248 PMCID: PMC10636321 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308867120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research concludes that professional American football players (hereafter, "football players") live longer than American men in general, despite experiencing higher rates of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This suggests that the longevity-enhancing benefits of playing football (e.g., physical fitness, money) outweigh the costs associated with CTE, CVD, and other longevity detriments of playing football. However, these surprising results may be the consequence of flawed research design. To investigate, we conducted two analyses. In analysis 1, we compared a) all professional American football players whose first season was 1986 or between 1988 and 1995 to b) a random sample of same-age American men observed as part of the National Health Interview Surveys in those same years selected on good health, at least 3 y of college, and not being poor. The exposure consists of playing one or more games of professional football; the outcome is risk of death within 25 y. In analysis 2, we use data on 1,365 men drafted to play in the (American) National Football League in the 1950s-906 of whom ultimately played professional football, and 459 of whom never played a game in any professional league. We estimate the association between playing football and survival through early 2023. In both analyses, we investigate differences between linemen and other position players. In contrast to most prior research, in both analyses, we find that linemen died earlier than otherwise similar men; men who played other positions died no earlier (or later).
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Affiliation(s)
- John Robert Warren
- Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN55455
| | - Gina Rumore
- Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN55455
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5
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Stern RA, Trujillo-Rodriguez D, Tripodis Y, Pulukuri SV, Alosco ML, Adler CH, Balcer LJ, Bernick C, Baucom Z, Marek KL, McClean MD, Johnson KA, McKee AC, Stein TD, Mez J, Palmisano JN, Cummings JL, Shenton ME, Reiman EM. Amyloid PET across the cognitive spectrum in former professional and college American football players: findings from the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:166. [PMID: 37798671 PMCID: PMC10552261 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01315-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) in American football players can lead to cognitive impairment and dementia due to neurodegenerative disease, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The pathognomonic lesion of CTE consists of perivascular aggregates of hyper-phosphorylated tau in neurons at the depths of cortical sulci. However, it is unclear whether exposure to RHI accelerates amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque formation and increases the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the Aβ neuritic plaques characteristic of AD are observed in a minority of later-stage CTE cases, diffuse plaques are more common. This study examined whether former professional and college American football players, including those with cognitive impairment and dementia, have elevated neuritic Aβ plaque density, as measured by florbetapir PET. Regardless of cognitive and functional status, elevated levels of florbetapir uptake were not expected. METHODS We examined 237 men ages 45-74, including 119 former professional (PRO) and 60 former college (COL) football players, with and without cognitive impairment and dementia, and 58 same-age men without a history of contact sports or TBI (unexposed; UE) and who denied cognitive or behavioral symptoms at telephone screening. Former players were categorized into four diagnostic groups: normal cognition, subjective memory impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. Positive florbetapir PET was defined by cortical-cerebellar average SUVR of ≥ 1.10. Multivariable linear regression and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) compared florbetapir average SUVR across diagnostic and exposure groups. Multivariable logistic regression compared florbetapir positivity. Race, education, age, and APOE4 were covariates. RESULTS There were no diagnostic group differences either in florbetapir average SUVR or the proportion of elevated florbetapir uptake. Average SUVR means also did not differ between exposure groups: PRO-COL (p = 0.94, 95% C.I. = [- 0.033, 0.025]), PRO-UE (p = 0.40, 95% C.I. = [- 0.010, 0.029]), COL-UE (p = 0.36, 95% CI = [0.0004, 0.039]). Florbetapir was not significantly associated with years of football exposure, cognition, or daily functioning. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive impairment in former American football players is not associated with PET imaging of neuritic Aβ plaque deposition. These findings are inconsistent with a neuropathological diagnosis of AD in individuals with substantial RHI exposure and have both clinical and medico-legal implications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02798185.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Stern
- Boston University CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA, L525, USA.
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Departments of Neurosurgery, and Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Diana Trujillo-Rodriguez
- Boston University CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA, L525, USA
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Boston University CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA, L525, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Surya V Pulukuri
- Boston University CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA, L525, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA, L525, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles H Adler
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Laura J Balcer
- Departments of Neurology, Population Health and Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Bernick
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Zachary Baucom
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth L Marek
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Invicro, LLC, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael D McClean
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith A Johnson
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ann C McKee
- Boston University CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA, L525, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA, L525, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 72 E. Concord Street, Boston, MA, L525, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph N Palmisano
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center (BEDAC), Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Cummings
- Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Martha E Shenton
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric M Reiman
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Translational Genomics Research Institute, and Arizona Alzheimer's Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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6
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McKee AC, Mez J, Abdolmohammadi B, Butler M, Huber BR, Uretsky M, Babcock K, Cherry JD, Alvarez VE, Martin B, Tripodis Y, Palmisano JN, Cormier KA, Kubilus CA, Nicks R, Kirsch D, Mahar I, McHale L, Nowinski C, Cantu RC, Stern RA, Daneshvar D, Goldstein LE, Katz DI, Kowall NW, Dwyer B, Stein TD, Alosco ML. Neuropathologic and Clinical Findings in Young Contact Sport Athletes Exposed to Repetitive Head Impacts. JAMA Neurol 2023; 80:1037-1050. [PMID: 37639244 PMCID: PMC10463175 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.2907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Importance Young contact sport athletes may be at risk for long-term neuropathologic disorders, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Objective To characterize the neuropathologic and clinical symptoms of young brain donors who were contact sport athletes. Design, Setting, and Participants This case series analyzes findings from 152 of 156 brain donors younger than 30 years identified through the Understanding Neurologic Injury and Traumatic Encephalopathy (UNITE) Brain Bank who donated their brains from February 1, 2008, to September 31, 2022. Neuropathologic evaluations, retrospective telephone clinical assessments, and online questionnaires with informants were performed blinded. Data analysis was conducted between August 2021 and June 2023. Exposures Repetitive head impacts from contact sports. Main Outcomes and Measures Gross and microscopic neuropathologic assessment, including diagnosis of CTE, based on defined diagnostic criteria; and informant-reported athletic history and informant-completed scales that assess cognitive symptoms, mood disturbances, and neurobehavioral dysregulation. Results Among the 152 deceased contact sports participants (mean [SD] age, 22.97 [4.31] years; 141 [92.8%] male) included in the study, CTE was diagnosed in 63 (41.4%; median [IQR] age, 26 [24-27] years). Of the 63 brain donors diagnosed with CTE, 60 (95.2%) were diagnosed with mild CTE (stages I or II). Brain donors who had CTE were more likely to be older (mean difference, 3.92 years; 95% CI, 2.74-5.10 years) Of the 63 athletes with CTE, 45 (71.4%) were men who played amateur sports, including American football, ice hockey, soccer, rugby, and wrestling; 1 woman with CTE played collegiate soccer. For those who played football, duration of playing career was significantly longer in those with vs without CTE (mean difference, 2.81 years; 95% CI, 1.15-4.48 years). Athletes with CTE had more ventricular dilatation, cavum septum pellucidum, thalamic notching, and perivascular pigment-laden macrophages in the frontal white matter than those without CTE. Cognitive and neurobehavioral symptoms were frequent among all brain donors. Suicide was the most common cause of death, followed by unintentional overdose; there were no differences in cause of death or clinical symptoms based on CTE status. Conclusions and Relevance This case series found that young brain donors exposed to repetitive head impacts were highly symptomatic regardless of CTE status, and the causes of symptoms in this sample are likely multifactorial. Future studies that include young brain donors unexposed to repetitive head impacts are needed to clarify the association among exposure, white matter and microvascular pathologic findings, CTE, and clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann C. McKee
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Bedford, Massachusetts
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jesse Mez
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bobak Abdolmohammadi
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Morgane Butler
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bertrand Russell Huber
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Bedford, Massachusetts
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Madeline Uretsky
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Katharine Babcock
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan D. Cherry
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Victor E. Alvarez
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Brett Martin
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph N. Palmisano
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kerry A. Cormier
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Caroline A. Kubilus
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Raymond Nicks
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel Kirsch
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ian Mahar
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lisa McHale
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Christopher Nowinski
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert C. Cantu
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emerson Hospital, Concord, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert A. Stern
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel Daneshvar
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lee E. Goldstein
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychiatry, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Biomedical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering, Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Douglas I. Katz
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Braintree, Massachusetts
| | - Neil W. Kowall
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brigid Dwyer
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Braintree, Massachusetts
| | - Thor D. Stein
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, US Department of Veteran Affairs, Bedford, Massachusetts
| | - Michael L. Alosco
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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7
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Lee CD, Meehan WP, Bazarian J. Participation of Children in American Football. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:660-662. [PMID: 37585634 DOI: 10.1056/nejmclde2302021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
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8
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Bruce HJ, Tripodis Y, McClean M, Korell M, Tanner CM, Contreras B, Gottesman J, Kirsch L, Karim Y, Martin B, Palmisano J, Abdolmohammadi B, Shih LC, Stein TD, Stern RA, Adler CH, Mez J, Nowinski C, McKee AC, Alosco ML. American Football Play and Parkinson Disease Among Men. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2328644. [PMID: 37566412 PMCID: PMC10422187 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Parkinsonism and Parkinson disease (PD) are known to result from repetitive head impacts from boxing. Repetitive head impacts from American football may also be associated with increased risk of neurodegenerative pathologies that cause parkinsonism, yet in vivo research on the association between football play and PD is scarce and limited by small samples and equivocal findings. Objective To evaluate the association between football participation and self-reported parkinsonism or PD diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study leveraged data from the online Fox Insight study. Participants completed online questionnaires and self-reported whether they currently had a diagnosis of Parkinson disease or parkinsonism by a physician or other health care professional. In November 2020, the Boston University Head Impact Exposure Assessment was launched for data collection on repetitive head impacts. Data used for this manuscript were obtained from the Fox Insight database on June 9, 2022. A total of 1875 men who endorsed playing any organized sport were included. Former athletes were divided into those who participated in football (n = 729 [38.9%]) and those who participated in other sports (reference group). Exposures Self-reported participation in football, duration and level of football play, age at first exposure. Main Outcomes and Measures Logistic regression tested associations between PD status and history of football play, duration of football play, highest level played, and age at first exposure, controlling for age, education, history of diabetes or heart disease, body mass index, history of traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, and family history of PD. Results In this sample of 1875 men (mean [SD] age, 67.69 [9.84] years) enriched for parkinsonism or PD (n = 1602 [85.4%]), 729 (38.9%) played football (mean [SD] duration, 4.35 [2.91] years). History of playing football was associated with higher odds of having a parkinsonism or PD diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% CI, 1.19-2.17). Among the entire sample, longer duration of play was associated with higher odds of having a parkinsonism or PD diagnosis (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06-1.19). Among football players, longer duration of football play (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02-1.23) and higher level of play (OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.28-6.73) were associated with higher odds of having parkinsonism or PD. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of participants enriched for PD, participation in football was associated with higher odds of having a reported parkinsonism or PD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J. Bruce
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael McClean
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Monica Korell
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco
| | | | | | - Joshua Gottesman
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, New York, New York
| | - Leslie Kirsch
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, New York, New York
| | - Yasir Karim
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, New York, New York
| | - Brett Martin
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph Palmisano
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bobak Abdolmohammadi
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ludy C. Shih
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thor D. Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert A. Stern
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Charles H. Adler
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Ann C. McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael L. Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Batty GD, Frank P, Kujala UM, Sarna SJ, Valencia-Hernández CA, Kaprio J. Dementia in former amateur and professional contact sports participants: population-based cohort study, systematic review, and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 61:102056. [PMID: 37425375 PMCID: PMC10329127 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although there is growing evidence that former professional athletes from sports characterised by repetitive head impact subsequently experience an elevated risk of dementia, the occurrence of this disorder in retired amateurs, who represent a larger population, is uncertain. The present meta-analysis integrates new results from individual-participant analyses of a cohort study of former amateur contact sports participants into a systematic review of existing studies of retired professionals and amateurs. Methods The cohort study comprised 2005 male retired amateur athletes who had competed internationally for Finland (1920-1965) and a general population comparison group of 1386 age-equivalent men. Dementia occurrence was ascertained from linked national mortality and hospital records. For the PROSPERO-registered (CRD42022352780) systematic review, we searched PubMed and Embase from their inception to April 2023, including cohort studies published in English that reported standard estimates of association and variance. Study-specific estimates were aggregated using random-effect meta-analysis. An adapted Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess study quality. Findings In the cohort study, up to 46 years of health surveillance of 3391 men gave rise to 406 dementia cases (265 Alzheimer's disease). After adjustment for covariates, former boxers experienced elevated rates of dementia (hazard ratio: 3.60 [95% CI 2.46, 5.28]) and Alzheimer's disease (4.10 [2.55, 6.61]) relative to general population controls. Associations were of lower magnitude in retired wrestlers (dementia: 1.51 [0.98, 2.34]; Alzheimer's disease: 2.11 [1.28, 3.48]) and soccer players (dementia: 1.55 [1.00, 2.41]; Alzheimer's disease: 2.07 [1.23, 3.46]), with some estimates including unity. The systematic review identified 827 potentially eligible published articles, of which 9 met our inclusion criteria. These few retrieved studies all sampled men and the majority were of moderate quality. In sport-specific analyses according to playing level, there was a marked difference in dementia rates in onetime professional American football players (2 studies; summary risk ratio: 2.96 [95% CI 1.66, 5.30]) relative to amateurs in whom there was no suggestion of an association (2 studies; 0.90 [0.52, 1.56]). For soccer players, while dementia occurrence was raised in both erstwhile professionals (2 studies; 3.61 [2.92, 4.45]) and amateurs (1 study; 1.60 [1.11, 2.30]) there was again a suggestion of a risk differential. The only studies of boxers comprised former amateurs in whom there was a tripling in the rates of dementia (2 studies; 3.14 [95% CI 1.72, 5.74]) and Alzheimer's disease (2 studies; 3.07 [1.01, 9.38]) at follow-up compared to controls. Interpretation Based on a small number of studies exclusively sampling men, former amateur participants in soccer, boxing, and wrestling appeared to experience an elevated risk of dementia relative to the general population. Where data allowed comparison, there was a suggestion that risks were greater amongst retired professionals relative to amateurs in the sports of soccer and American football. Whether these findings are generalisable to the contact sports not featured, and to women, warrants examination. Funding This work was unfunded.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. David Batty
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Philipp Frank
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Urho M. Kujala
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Seppo J. Sarna
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Nicks R, Clement NF, Alvarez VE, Tripodis Y, Baucom ZH, Huber BR, Mez J, Alosco ML, Aytan N, Cherry JD, Cormier KA, Kubilius C, Mathias R, Svirsky SE, Pothast MJ, Hildebrandt AM, Chung J, Han X, Crary JF, McKee AC, Frosch MP, Stein TD. Repetitive head impacts and chronic traumatic encephalopathy are associated with TDP-43 inclusions and hippocampal sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 145:395-408. [PMID: 36681782 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02539-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is associated with advanced age as well as transactive response DNA-binding protein with 43 kDa (TDP-43) deposits. Both hippocampal sclerosis and TDP-43 proteinopathy have also been described in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI). However, the prevalence of HS in CTE, the pattern of TDP-43 pathology, and associations of HS and TDP-43 with RHI are unknown. A group of participants with a history of RHI and CTE at autopsy (n = 401) as well as a group with HS-aging without CTE (n = 33) was examined to determine the prevalence of HS and TDP-43 inclusions in CTE and to compare the clinical and pathological features of HS and TDP-43 inclusions in CTE to HS-aging. In CTE, HS was present in 23.4%, and TDP-43 inclusions were present in 43.3% of participants. HS in CTE occurred at a relatively young age (mean 77.0 years) and was associated with a greater number of years of RHI than CTE without HS adjusting for age (p = 0.029). In CTE, TDP-43 inclusions occurred frequently in the frontal cortex and occurred both with and without limbic TDP-43. Additionally, structural equation modeling demonstrated that RHI exposure years were associated with hippocampal TDP-43 inclusions (p < 0.001) through increased CTE stage (p < 0.001). Overall, RHI and the development of CTE pathology may contribute to TDP-43 deposition and hippocampal sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Nicks
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Nathan F Clement
- C.S. Kubik Laboratory for Neuropathology, Pathology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachery H Baucom
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bertrand R Huber
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nurgul Aytan
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Cherry
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerry A Cormier
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Carol Kubilius
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Rebecca Mathias
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Sarah E Svirsky
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Morgan J Pothast
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | | | - Jaeyoon Chung
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Genetics), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xudong Han
- Boston University Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Department of Pathology, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ann C McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew P Frosch
- C.S. Kubik Laboratory for Neuropathology, Pathology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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McKee AC, Stein TD, Huber BR, Crary JF, Bieniek K, Dickson D, Alvarez VE, Cherry JD, Farrell K, Butler M, Uretsky M, Abdolmohammadi B, Alosco ML, Tripodis Y, Mez J, Daneshvar DH. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE): criteria for neuropathological diagnosis and relationship to repetitive head impacts. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 145:371-394. [PMID: 36759368 PMCID: PMC10020327 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02540-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Over the last 17 years, there has been a remarkable increase in scientific research concerning chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Since the publication of NINDS-NIBIB criteria for the neuropathological diagnosis of CTE in 2016, and diagnostic refinements in 2021, hundreds of contact sport athletes and others have been diagnosed at postmortem examination with CTE. CTE has been reported in amateur and professional athletes, including a bull rider, boxers, wrestlers, and American, Canadian, and Australian rules football, rugby union, rugby league, soccer, and ice hockey players. The pathology of CTE is unique, characterized by a pathognomonic lesion consisting of a perivascular accumulation of neuronal phosphorylated tau (p-tau) variably alongside astrocytic aggregates at the depths of the cortical sulci, and a distinctive molecular structural configuration of p-tau fibrils that is unlike the changes observed with aging, Alzheimer's disease, or any other tauopathy. Computational 3-D and finite element models predict the perivascular and sulcal location of p-tau pathology as these brain regions undergo the greatest mechanical deformation during head impact injury. Presently, CTE can be definitively diagnosed only by postmortem neuropathological examination; the corresponding clinical condition is known as traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES). Over 97% of CTE cases published have been reported in individuals with known exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI), including concussions and nonconcussive impacts, most often experienced through participation in contact sports. While some suggest there is uncertainty whether a causal relationship exists between RHI and CTE, the preponderance of the evidence suggests a high likelihood of a causal relationship, a conclusion that is strengthened by the absence of any evidence for plausible alternative hypotheses. There is a robust dose-response relationship between CTE and years of American football play, a relationship that remains consistent even when rigorously accounting for selection bias. Furthermore, a recent study suggests that selection bias underestimates the observed risk. Here, we present the advances in the neuropathological diagnosis of CTE culminating with the development of the NINDS-NIBIB criteria, the multiple international studies that have used these criteria to report CTE in hundreds of contact sports players and others, and the evidence for a robust dose-response relationship between RHI and CTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann C McKee
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA.
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA.
| | - Thor D Stein
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Bertrand R Huber
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Departments of Pathology, Neuroscience, and Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Bieniek
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Dennis Dickson
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan D Cherry
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kurt Farrell
- Departments of Pathology, Neuroscience, and Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Neuropathology Brain Bank and Research Core, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgane Butler
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Madeline Uretsky
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Bobak Abdolmohammadi
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel H Daneshvar
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Centers, Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 150 S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Alosco ML, Ly M, Mosaheb S, Saltiel N, Uretsky M, Tripodis Y, Martin B, Palmisano J, Delano-Wood L, Bondi MW, Meng G, Xia W, Daley S, Goldstein LE, Katz DI, Dwyer B, Daneshvar DH, Nowinski C, Cantu RC, Kowall NW, Stern RA, Alvarez VE, Mez J, Huber BR, McKee AC, Stein TD. Decreased myelin proteins in brain donors exposed to football-related repetitive head impacts. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad019. [PMID: 36895961 PMCID: PMC9990992 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
American football players and other individuals exposed to repetitive head impacts can exhibit a constellation of later-life cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. While tau-based diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy can underpin certain symptoms, contributions from non-tau pathologies from repetitive head impacts are increasingly recognized. We examined cross-sectional associations between myelin integrity using immunoassays for myelin-associated glycoprotein and proteolipid protein 1 with risk factors and clinical outcomes in brain donors exposed to repetitive head impacts from American football. Immunoassays for myelin-associated glycoprotein and proteolipid protein 1 were conducted on dorsolateral frontal white matter tissue samples of 205 male brain donors. Proxies of exposure to repetitive head impacts included years of exposure and age of first exposure to American football play. Informants completed the Functional Activities Questionnaire, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (Behavioral Regulation Index), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11. Associations between myelin-associated glycoprotein and proteolipid protein 1 with exposure proxies and clinical scales were tested. Of the 205 male brain donors who played amateur and professional football, the mean age was 67.17 (SD = 16.78), and 75.9% (n = 126) were reported by informants to be functionally impaired prior to death. Myelin-associated glycoprotein and proteolipid protein 1 correlated with the ischaemic injury scale score, a global indicator of cerebrovascular disease (r = -0.23 and -0.20, respectively, Ps < 0.01). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy was the most common neurodegenerative disease (n = 151, 73.7%). Myelin-associated glycoprotein and proteolipid protein 1 were not associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy status, but lower proteolipid protein 1 was associated with more severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (P = 0.03). Myelin-associated glycoprotein and proteolipid protein 1 were not associated with other neurodegenerative disease pathologies. More years of football play was associated with lower proteolipid protein 1 [beta = -2.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-4.52, -0.38]] and compared with those who played <11 years of football (n = 78), those who played 11 or more years (n = 128) had lower myelin-associated glycoprotein (mean difference = 46.00, 95% CI [5.32, 86.69]) and proteolipid protein 1 (mean difference = 24.72, 95% CI [2.40, 47.05]). Younger age of first exposure corresponded to lower proteolipid protein 1 (beta = 4.35, 95% CI [0.25, 8.45]). Among brain donors who were aged 50 or older (n = 144), lower proteolipid protein 1 (beta = -0.02, 95% CI [-0.047, -0.001]) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (beta = -0.01, 95% CI [-0.03, -0.002]) were associated with higher Functional Activities Questionnaire scores. Lower myelin-associated glycoprotein correlated with higher Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 scores (beta = -0.02, 95% CI [-0.04, -0.0003]). Results suggest that decreased myelin may represent a late effect of repetitive head impacts that contributes to the manifestation of cognitive symptoms and impulsivity. Clinical-pathological correlation studies with prospective objective clinical assessments are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Monica Ly
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sydney Mosaheb
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Saltiel
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeline Uretsky
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brett Martin
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Palmisano
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisa Delano-Wood
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark W Bondi
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Weiming Xia
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Daley
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lee E Goldstein
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Biomedical, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas I Katz
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Braintree, MA, USA
| | - Brigid Dwyer
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, Braintree, MA, USA
| | - Daniel H Daneshvar
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Robert C Cantu
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Concussion Legacy Foundation, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA, USA
| | - Neil W Kowall
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert A Stern
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor E Alvarez
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, USA
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bertrand Russell Huber
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, USA
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ann C McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, USA
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, USA
- Framingham Heart Study, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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13
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Abed V, Hawk GS, Akarakian R, Stone AV. Epidemiological analysis of concussions in youth ice hockey players: A national emergency room database study. Am J Emerg Med 2023; 67:130-134. [PMID: 36871481 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the epidemiology of concussions in youth ice hockey players. METHODS The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database was used to gather data. Concussions occurring during ice hockey participation in youth patients (4-21 years old) from 2012 to 2021 was gathered. Concussion mechanisms were grouped into 7 categories: head-to-player, head-to-puck, head-to-ice, head-to-board/glass, head-to-stick, head-to-goal post, and unknown. Hospitalization rates were also tabulated. Linear regression models were used to assess changes in yearly concussion and hospitalization rates over the study period. Results from these models were reported using parameter estimates [with 95% confidence intervals (CI)] and the estimated Pearson correlation coefficient. Additionally, logistic regression was used to model the risk of hospitalization across the different cause categories. RESULTS A total of 819 ice hockey related concussions were analyzed between 2012 and 2021. The average age of our cohort was 13.4 years, with 89.3% (n = 731) of concussions occurring in males. The incidence of head-to-ice, head-to-board/glass, head-to-player, and head-to-puck concussion mechanisms decreased significantly over the study period (slope estimate = -2.1 concussions/year [CI: (-3.9, -0.2)], r = -0.675, p = 0.032), (slope estimate = -2.7 concussions/year [CI: (-4.3, -1.2)], r = -0.816, p = 0.004), (slope estimate = -2.2 concussions/year [CI: (-3.4, -1.0)], r = -0.832, p = 0.003), and (slope estimate = -0.4 concussions/year [CI: (-0.62, -0.09)], r = -0.768, p = 0.016), respectively. Majority of patients were discharged from the emergency department (ED) to their home, as only 20 people (2.4%) were hospitalized over our study period. The majority of concussions were due to head-to-ice (n = 285, 34.8%), followed by head-to-board/glass (n = 217, 26.5%) and head-to-player (n = 207, 25.3%). The most common cause for hospitalizations due to concussions was head-to-board/glass (n = 7, 35%), followed by head-to-player (n = 6, 30%) and head-to-ice (n = 5, 25%). CONCLUSION The most common mechanism of youth ice hockey concussions was head-to-ice in our 10-year study period, while head-to-board/glass was the most common cause of hospitalizations. IRB: This project did not require review by the institutional review board.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varag Abed
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, University of Kentucky, United States of America.
| | - Gregory S Hawk
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, United States of America.
| | - Roy Akarakian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, United States of America.
| | - Austin V Stone
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, University of Kentucky, United States of America.
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14
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Jenkins AS, Moore ML, Pollock JR, Brinkman JC, Verhey J, Chhabra A. The 50 Most Cited Papers Pertaining to American Football: Analysis of Studies From the Past 40 Years. Orthop J Sports Med 2022; 10:23259671221141089. [PMID: 36582927 PMCID: PMC9793059 DOI: 10.1177/23259671221141089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bibliometric citation analyses have been widely used in medicine to help researchers gain foundational knowledge about a topic and identify subtopics of popular interest for further investigations. Purpose To identify the 50 most cited research publications related to American football. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Methods The Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database was used to generate a list of publications relating to football. Articles were filtered by the total number of citations, and the top 50 most cited articles studying the sport of football were selected for this analysis. Articles were analyzed by author, publication year, country of origin, institution affiliation, journal, article type, main research topic area, competitive level, and the level of evidence. A total of 247 articles were reviewed to reach the top 50 articles. Results The most studied topic within the top 50 articles was concussion/chronic traumatic encephalopathy (n = 40). Collegiate football was the most studied level of competition (n = 25). The journal publishing the greatest number of top articles was Neurosurgery. Two institutions, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Boston University School of Medicine, produced over one-third of top 50 articles (n = 18). Conclusion Our analysis indicated that most of the top 50 publications related to the sport of football focused on concussion and CTE, were observational, and were published during or after 2000. The most studied level of competition was collegiate football.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Jenkins
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale,
Arizona, USA
| | - Michael L. Moore
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale,
Arizona, USA
| | - Jordan R. Pollock
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale,
Arizona, USA
| | | | - Jens Verhey
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona,
USA
| | - Anikar Chhabra
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona,
USA.,Anikar Chhabra, MD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo
Clinic Arizona, 5777 E Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA (
)
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