Altered Neurochemistry in Former Professional Soccer Players without a History of Concussion

• DOI: 10.1089/neu.2014.3715
• Publication Date: 2015-04-04T10:28:07Z
• Authors: Inga K. Koerte; Alexander P. Lin; Marc Muehlmann; Sai Merugumala; Huijun Liao; Tyler Starr; David Kaufmann; Michael Mayinger; Denise Steffinger; Barbara Fisch; Susanne Karch; Florian Heinen; Birgit Ertl-Wagner; Maximilian Reiser; Robert A. Stern; Ross Zafonte; Martha E. Shenton
• Keywords: Neurocognitive; Neurochemistry; Sports medicine

Soccer is played by more than 250 million people worldwide. Repeatedly heading the ball may place soccer players at high risk for repetitive subconcussive head impacts (RSHI). This study evaluates long-term effects of RSHI on neurochemistry in athletes without a history clinically diagnosed concussion, but with exposure to RSHI. Eleven former professional (mean age 52.0±6.8 years) and comparison cohort 14 age- gender-matched, non-contact sport 46.9±7.9 underwent 3T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) neurocognitive evaluation. In significant increase was observed both choline (Cho), membrane marker, myo-inositol (ml), marker glial activation, compared control athletes. Additionally, ml glutathione (GSH) were significantly correlated lifetime estimate within group. There no difference tests between groups. Results this suggest an association MRS markers neuroinflammation, suggesting that even affect brain precede changes. Future studies will need determine role neuroinflammation effect function.