Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales, UK.
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, UK.
Exp Physiol. 2023 Aug;108(8):1029-1046. doi: 10.1113/EP091195. Epub 2023 Jul 9.
What is the central question of this study? What are the molecular, cerebrovascular and cognitive biomarkers of retired rugby union players with concussion history? What is the main finding and its importance? Retired rugby players compared with matched controls exhibited lower systemic nitric oxide bioavailability accompanied by lower middle cerebral artery velocity and mild cognitive impairment. Retired rugby players are more susceptible to accelerated cognitive decline.
Following retirement from sport, the chronic consequences of prior-recurrent contact are evident and retired rugby union players may be especially prone to accelerated cognitive decline. The present study sought to integrate molecular, cerebrovascular and cognitive biomarkers in retired rugby players with concussion history. Twenty retired rugby players aged 64 ± 5 years with three (interquartile range (IQR), 3) concussions incurred over 22 (IQR, 6) years were compared to 21 sex-, age-, cardiorespiratory fitness- and education-matched controls with no prior concussion history. Concussion symptoms and severity were assessed using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool. Plasma/serum nitric oxide (NO) metabolites (reductive ozone-based chemiluminescence), neuron specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament light-chain (ELISA and single molecule array) were assessed. Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv, doppler ultrasound) and reactivity to hyper/hypocapnia ( / ) were assessed. Cognition was determined using the Grooved Pegboard Test and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Players exhibited persistent neurological symptoms of concussion (U = 109 , P = 0.007), with increased severity compared to controls (U = 77 , P < 0.001). Lower total NO bioactivity (U = 135 , P = 0.049) and lower basal MCAv were apparent in players (F = 9.344, P = 0.004). This was accompanied by mild cognitive impairment (P = 0.020, 95% CI, -3.95 to -0.34), including impaired fine-motor coordination (U = 141 , P = 0.021). Retired rugby union players with history of multiple concussions may be characterised by impaired molecular, cerebral haemodynamic and cognitive function compared to non-concussed, non-contact controls.
本研究的核心问题是什么？有脑卒史的退役英式橄榄球运动员的分子、脑血管和认知生物标志物是什么？主要发现及其重要性是什么？与匹配对照组相比，退役橄榄球运动员表现出较低的全身一氧化氮生物利用度，伴有大脑中动脉速度降低和轻度认知障碍。退役橄榄球运动员更容易出现认知能力加速下降。
从运动中退役后，先前反复接触的慢性后果显而易见，退役的英式橄榄球运动员可能特别容易出现认知能力加速下降。本研究旨在整合有脑卒史的退役英式橄榄球运动员的分子、脑血管和认知生物标志物。将 20 名年龄 64±5 岁、有 3 次（四分位距（IQR），3）、22 年（IQR，6）发生的脑震荡的退役英式橄榄球运动员与 21 名无脑震荡史、性别、年龄、心肺功能和教育相匹配的对照组进行比较。使用运动性脑震荡评估工具评估脑震荡症状和严重程度。通过还原臭氧基化学发光法评估血浆/血清一氧化氮（NO）代谢物（还原性臭氧基化学发光法）、神经元特异性烯醇化酶、神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白和神经丝轻链（ELISA 和单分子阵列）。通过多普勒超声评估大脑中动脉血流速度（MCAv）和对高/低碳酸血症的反应性（ / ）。使用滚棒测试和蒙特利尔认知评估确定认知功能。运动员表现出持续的脑震荡性神经症状（U=109，P=0.007），与对照组相比，严重程度增加（U=77，P<0.001）。运动员的总 NO 生物活性（U=135，P=0.049）和基础 MCAv 明显降低（F=9.344，P=0.004）。这伴随着轻度认知障碍（P=0.020，95%CI，-3.95 至-0.34），包括精细运动协调受损（U=141，P=0.021）。与非接触性、非脑震荡对照组相比，有多次脑震荡史的退役英式橄榄球运动员可能表现出分子、脑血管和认知功能受损。
