Earlier Age of First Exposure to Competitive Fighting Has an Adverse Impact on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Brain Volume

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 98 (1 Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S20.1-S20
Author(s):  
Barry Bryant ◽  
Bharat Narapareddy ◽  
Michael Johnathan Char Bray ◽  
Lisa N. Richey ◽  
Akshay D. Krieg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Processing Speed ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Brain Volumes ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Younger Age

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine whether individuals who began fighting competitively at a younger age experienced adverse brain health outcomes compared to fighters who began competing at an older age.BackgroundEstablished literature has made clear that fighting sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts can lead to head injury. Prior work from this group on the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study (PFBHS) found that exposure to repetitive head impacts is associated with lower brain volumes and decreased processing speed in fighters.Design/MethodsAs part of the PFBHS, current and previously licensed professional fighters were recruited, divided into active and retired cohorts, and matched with a control group that had no prior experience in sports with likely head trauma. This present study examined the relationship between age of first exposure (AFE) to fighting sports and brain structure (MRI regional volume), cognitive performance (CNS Vital Signs, iComet C3), and clinical neuropsychiatric symptoms (PHQ-9, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale).ResultsBrain MRI data showed significant correlations between earlier AFE and smaller bilateral hippocampal and posterior corpus callosum volumes for both retired and active fighters. Earlier AFE in active fighters was correlated with decreased processing speed and decreased psychomotor speed. Retired fighters showed a correlation between earlier AFE and higher measures of depression and impulsivity.ConclusionsThe findings of this study help to inform clinicians, governing bodies, parents, and athletes of the risks associated with beginning to compete in fighting sports at a young age.

scholarly journals Longitudinal change in regional brain volumes with exposure to repetitive head impacts

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. e232-e240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Bernick ◽  
Guogen Shan ◽  
Henrik Zetterberg ◽  
Sarah Banks ◽  
Virendra R. Mishra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Callosum ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Brain Volumes ◽  
Head Impacts ◽  
Repetitive Head Impacts ◽  
Regional Brain

ObjectiveThis study tests the hypothesis that certain MRI-based regional brain volumes will show reductions over time in a cohort exposed to repetitive head impacts (RHI).MethodsParticipants were drawn from the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study, a longitudinal observational study of professional fighters and controls. Participants underwent annual 3T brain MRI, computerized cognitive testing, and blood sampling for determination of neurofilament light (NfL) and tau levels. Yearly change in regional brain volume was calculated for several predetermined cortical and subcortical brain volumes and the relationship with NfL and tau levels determined.ResultsA total of 204 participants who had at least 2 assessments were included in the analyses. Compared to controls, the active boxers had an average yearly rate of decline in volumes of the left thalamus (102.3 mm3/y [p = 0.0004], mid anterior corpus callosum (10.2 mm3/y [p = 0.018]), and central corpus callosum (16.5 mm3/y [p = <0.0001]). Retired boxers showed the most significant volumetric declines compared to controls in left (32.1 mm3/y [p = 0.002]) and right (30.6 mm3/y [p = 0.008]) amygdala and right hippocampus (33.5 mm3/y [p = 0.01]). Higher baseline NfL levels were associated with greater volumetric decline in left hippocampus and mid anterior corpus callosum.ConclusionVolumetric loss in different brain regions may reflect different pathologic processes at different times among individuals exposed to RHI.

scholarly journals B-52 Improvements in Cognitive Functioning in Inactive Professional Fighters

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 998-998
Author(s):  
L Bennett ◽  
C Bernick ◽  
W Ng
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objective Repetitive head injuries common in combat sports have been associated with increased risk for cognitive dysfunction. Interestingly, the Professional Fighter’s Brain Health Study (PFBHS) team has observed improvements in fighters’ cognitive performance following their transition to inactive fighting status. As this phenomenon was explored, it was hypothesized that fighters’ cognitive performance will initially improve following their discontinuation of fighting. Methods Longitudinal demographic, fighting history, and cognitive functioning data from 31 fighters who discontinued fighting during their participation in the PFBHS. Cognitive functioning was assessed via CNS Vital Signs and C3/iComet computerized batteries. Number of professional fights, as well as inactive fighting status, was determined using published professional online records. Fighters were considered inactive if they had gone two or more years without a professional match. Results Paired-samples t test was conducted to evaluate cognitive functioning in fighters at time 1 (actively fighting) and time 2 (inactive fighting status). When comparing cognitive function at across time points, performance on CNS Vital Signs measures of verbal memory, processing speed, psychomotor speed, and reaction time, as well as C3/iComet measures of set-shifting and complex reaction time, significantly improved at time 2 (all p’s < 0.05). Interestingly, performance did not improve across time points on a C3/iComet measure of processing speed (Trailmaking Test Part A). Conclusions Cognitive performance improved on most measures when fighters transitioned to inactive fighting status. Given the limited sample size, future analysis is necessary to evaluate the relationship between fighting status and cognitive performance in a larger sample size.

The Relationship Between Isolated Hypertension with Brain Volumes in UK Biobank

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Newby ◽  
Laura Winchester ◽  
William Sproviero ◽  
Marco Fernandes ◽  
Upamanyu Ghose ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Uk Biobank ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Brain Volumes ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Diastolic Hypertension ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Hypertension is a well-established risk factor for cognitive impairment, brain atrophy, and dementia. However, the relationship of other types of hypertension, such as, isolated hypertension on brain health and its comparison to systolic-diastolic hypertension (where systolic and diastolic measures are high), is still relatively unknown. Due to its increased prevalence, it is important to investigate the impact of isolated hypertension to help understand its potential impact on cognitive decline and future dementia risk. In this study, we compared a variety of global brain measures between participants with isolated hypertension to those with normal blood pressure or systolic-diastolic hypertension using the largest cohort of healthy individuals. Using the UK Biobank cohort, we carried out a cross-sectional study using 29775 participants [mean age 63 years, 53% female] with BP measurements and brain MRI data. We used linear regression models adjusted for multiple confounders to compare a variety of global, sub cortical and white matter brain measures. We compared participants with either isolated systolic or diastolic hypertension with normotensives and then with participants with systolic-diastolic hypertension. The results showed that participants with isolated systolic or diastolic hypertension taking BP medications had smaller grey matter but larger white matter microstructures and macrostructures compared to normotensives. However, isolated hypertensives had larger total grey matter and smaller white matter traits when comparing these regions with participants with systolic-diastolic hypertension.These results provide support to investigate possible preventative strategies that target isolated hypertension as well as systolic-diastolic hypertension to maintain brain health and/or reduce dementia risk earlier in life particularly in white matter regions.

Clinical and striatal dopamine transporter predictors of β-amyloid in dementia with Lewy bodies

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (13) ◽  
pp. e1344-e1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Soo Yoo ◽  
Sangwon Lee ◽  
Seok Jong Chung ◽  
Yang Hyun Lee ◽  
Byoung Seok Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dopamine Transporter ◽  
Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽  
Ventral Striatum ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Striatal Dopamine ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Β Amyloid

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and striatal dopamine depletion, cognitive functions, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).MethodsWe consecutively recruited 51 patients with DLB who had undergone a neuropsychological test, Neuropsychiatric Inventory assessment, brain MRI, N-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)-2β-carbon ethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl) PET, and 18F-florbetaben PET within 6 months. The patients were divided into Aβ-negative (DLB-Aβ−, n = 20) and Aβ-positive (DLB-Aβ+, n = 31) groups according to the brain amyloid plaque load score. We performed comparative analyses of dopamine transporter (DAT) activity, neuropsychological profile, and neuropsychiatric symptoms between the 2 groups.ResultsCompared to the DLB-Aβ− group, the DLB-Aβ+ group had a younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.017), poorer performance in attention (p = 0.028) and visuospatial (p = 0.006) functions, and higher proportion of anxiety (p = 0.006) and total neuropsychiatric burden (p = 0.013). Those in the DLB-Aβ+ group also had lower DAT activity in the anterior putamen (p = 0.015) and ventral striatum (p = 0.006) regardless of age, sex, and years of education. In addition, lower DAT activity in the ventral striatum was significantly associated with anxiety and total neuropsychiatric burden in DLB.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that Aβ deposition in DLB is associated with diagnosis at a younger age, higher cognitive and neuropsychiatric burden, and decreased DAT activity, suggesting that evaluation of clinical features and DAT activity can predict the presence of Aβ in DLB.

scholarly journals Brain age as a surrogate marker for information processing speed in multiple sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Denissen ◽  
DA Engemann ◽  
A De Cock ◽  
L Costers ◽  
J Baijot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Brain Age

BackgroundData from neuro-imaging techniques allow us to estimate a brain’s age. Brain age is easily interpretable as “how old the brain looks”, and could therefore be an attractive communication tool for brain health in clinical practice. This study aimed to investigate its clinical utility.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between brain age and information processing speed in MS.MethodsA ridge-regression model was trained to predict age from brain MRI volumetric features and sex in a healthy control dataset (HC_train, n=1690). This model was used to predict brain age in two test sets: HC_test (n=50) and MS_test (n=201). Brain-Predicted Age Difference (BPAD) was calculated as BPAD=brain age minus chronological age. Information processing speed was assessed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).ResultsBrain age was significantly related to SDMT scores in the MS_test dataset (r=-0.44, p<.001), and contributed uniquely to variance in SDMT beyond chronological age, reflected by a significant correlation between BPAD and SDMT (r=-0.21, p=0.003) and a significant weight (−0.21, p=0.011) in a multivariate regression equation with age.ConclusionsBrain age is a candidate biomarker for information processing speed in MS and an easy to grasp metric for brain health.

Subcortical brain volumes and neurocognitive function in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with chemotherapy-only.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10517-10517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Steve Phillips ◽  
John O Glass ◽  
Matthew Scoggins ◽  
Yin Ting Cheung ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Processing Speed ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Age At Diagnosis ◽  
Intracranial Volume ◽  
Brain Volumes ◽  
Neurocognitive Tests ◽  
Subcortical Brain ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Community Controls ◽  
Healthy Community

10517 Background: Brain deep grey nuclei and glucocorticoid receptor rich hippocampal subregions may be sensitive to neurotoxic effects of chemotherapy-only protocols for childhood ALL and associated with neurocognitive problems in long-term survivors. Methods: Brain MRIs and neurocognitive tests were obtained on 176 survivors (49% male, mean [range] age at diagnosis 6.8 [1-18] years, 14.5 [8-27] years at evaluation). MRI’s were also obtained on 82 healthy community controls (57% male, 13.8 [8-26] years at evaluation). General linear models were used to compare subcortical brain volumes between survivors and controls. Among survivors, gender stratified multivariable linear models were used to test associations between subcortical volumes, and serum concentration of dexamethasone (DEX) and high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX), adjusting for age at diagnosis, and intracranial volume (ICV). Volumes were also compared to neurocognitive tests. Results: Survivors had smaller volumes in bilateral thalami (p’s < 0.05) and hippocampal subregions (p’s < 0.001) compared to controls. After controlling for ICV, HDMTX exposure and younger age at diagnosis were associated with smaller bilateral thalami in male survivors (p’s < 0.05). DEX was associated with a smaller right thalamus in males (p = 0.04). Smaller hippocampi in both males and females were associated with younger age at diagnosis (p’s < 0.01). Smaller left thalamus was associated with worse verbal fluency scores in all survivors (p’s < 0.05). Smaller bilateral thalami and hippocampal subregions in girls were associated with worse processing speed, inhibition and cognitive flexibility; poor memory span correlated with smaller left CA1 and right thalamus volumes (all p’s < 0.05). Smaller bilateral thalami and right hippocampal subregions, in girls, correlated with slower processing speed (p’s < 0.05). In males, smaller left fimbria volume was correlated with poor attention (p = 0.03). Conclusions: ALL survivors have significantly smaller thalamic and hippocampal volumes compared to healthy community controls. In survivors, smaller volumes correlate with worse cognitive performance.

scholarly journals Repeated head trauma is associated with smaller thalamic volumes and slower processing speed: the Professional Fighters’ Brain Health Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (15) ◽  
pp. 1007-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Bernick ◽  
Sarah J Banks ◽  
Wanyong Shin ◽  
Nancy Obuchowski ◽  
Sam Butler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head Trauma ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Brain Health

scholarly journals Cognitive and Neuroimaging Correlates of Insomnia Symptoms in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Pilot-Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Ramos ◽  
Noam Alperin ◽  
Sang Lee ◽  
Wassim Tarraf ◽  
Kevin Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Memory Test ◽  
Oxygen Level ◽  
Brain Volumes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Obstructive Sleep

We aim to determine the sleep correlates of age-related brain loss in a sample of middle-aged to older males with obstructive sleep apnea. We evaluated consecutive treatment na&iuml;ve male patients with OSA (AHI&ge;15 events/hr) without dementia, stroke or heart disease, from January to November of 2019. We collected demographic variables, vascular risk factors, and sleep questionnaires. We also obtained computerized neurocognitive testing with the Go-No-Go Response Inhibition Test, Stroop Interference Test, Catch Game Test, Staged Information Processing Speed Test, Verbal Memory Test and Non-Verbal Memory Test. We derived age and education adjusted domain-specific Z-scores for global cognition, memory, attention, processing speed and executive function. We used brain MRI T1-weighted images to derive total hippocampal and gray matter volumes. Partial correlations evaluated associations between the ISI, AHI, and oxygen level during sleep, with cognitive domains and brain volumes. Sixteen participants, age 40-76 years, 73% Hispanic/Latino, with mean AHI=48.9&plusmn;25.5 and mean oxygen saturation of 91.4&plusmn;6.9% during sleep. Hypertension was seen in 66% and diabetes in 27%. We observed that ISI and oxygen level during sleep had strong correlations with brain volumes and cognition. These preliminary findings may aid in developing future strategies to improve age-related brain loss in OSA.

scholarly journals P3-227: ANGIOTENSIN II AND BRAIN VOLUMES IN OLDER ADULTS IN THE BALTIMORE EXPERIENCE CORPS TRIAL (BECT) BRAIN HEALTH STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. P1018-P1019
Author(s):  
Sevil Yasar ◽  
Kyle Moored ◽  
Atif Adam ◽  
Fiona Zabel ◽  
Yi-Fang Chuang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Brain Volumes

scholarly journals Preliminary Evidence for a Relationship between Elevated Plasma TNFα and Smaller Subcortical White Matter Volume in HCV Infection Irrespective of HIV or AUD Comorbidity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4953
Author(s):  
Natalie M. Zahr ◽  
Kilian M. Pohl ◽  
Allison J. Kwong ◽  
Edith V. Sullivan ◽  
Adolf Pfefferbaum
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Soluble Protein ◽  
Subcortical White Matter ◽  
Control Group ◽  
White Matter Volume ◽  
Brain Volumes ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Matter Volume ◽  
Patient Groups

Classical inflammation in response to bacterial, parasitic, or viral infections such as HIV includes local recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages and the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Proposed biomarkers of organ integrity in Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) include elevations in peripheral plasma levels of proinflammatory proteins. In testing this proposal, previous work included a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals as positive controls and identified elevations in the soluble proteins TNFα and IP10; these cytokines were only elevated in AUD individuals seropositive for hepatitis C infection (HCV). The current observational, cross-sectional study evaluated whether higher levels of these proinflammatory cytokines would be associated with compromised brain integrity. Soluble protein levels were quantified in 86 healthy controls, 132 individuals with AUD, 54 individuals seropositive for HIV, and 49 individuals with AUD and HIV. Among the patient groups, HCV was present in 24 of the individuals with AUD, 13 individuals with HIV, and 20 of the individuals in the comorbid AUD and HIV group. Soluble protein levels were correlated to regional brain volumes as quantified with structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition to higher levels of TNFα and IP10 in the 2 HIV groups and the HCV-seropositive AUD group, this study identified lower levels of IL1β in the 3 patient groups relative to the control group. Only TNFα, however, showed a relationship with brain integrity: in HCV or HIV infection, higher peripheral levels of TNFα correlated with smaller subcortical white matter volume. These preliminary results highlight the privileged status of TNFα on brain integrity in the context of infection.

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