In:
JAMA Network Open, American Medical Association (AMA), Vol. 6, No. 3 ( 2023-03-30), p. e236101-
Abstract:
Head impacts resulting in traumatic brain injury (TBI) lead to the elevation of phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau 181 ) in plasma. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate dynamics of p-tau 181 levels and the ratio of p-tau 181 to total tau in individuals after nonconcussive head impacts. Objective To determine the association of repetitive low-intensity head impacts on p-tau 181 and total tau protein levels in the plasma of young adult elite soccer players and assess the possible association of head impacts with focused attention and cognitive flexibility. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cohort study, young elite soccer players performed intense physical activity with and without heading the ball. The study was conducted at a university facility in Slovakia from October 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. Eligible participants were selected based on similarities in demographic variables, excluding those with a history of TBI. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary study outcomes were the levels of total tau protein and p-tau 181 in plasma samples and the cognitive status of the study participants. Results A total of 37 male athletes participated in the study (mean [SD] age: exercise group, 21.6 [1.6] years; heading group, 21.2 [1.5] years). We found significantly elevated levels of total tau and p-tau 181 in the plasma of soccer players 1 hour after physical exercise (tau, 1.4-fold; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5; P & amp;lt; .001; p-tau 181 , 1.4-fold; 95% CI, 1.3-1.5, P & amp;lt; .001) and repetitive head impacts (tau, 1.3-fold; 95% CI, 1.2-1.4; P & amp;lt; .001; p-tau 181 , 1.5-fold; 95% CI, 1.4-1.7 P & amp;lt; .001). The ratio of p-tau 181 to tau was significantly higher 1 hour after exercise and heading training, and remained elevated specifically in the heading group even after 24 hours (1.2-fold; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3; P = .002). Performance in cognitive tests revealed a significant decline in focused attention and cognitive flexibility after physical exercise and heading training; physical exercise of higher intensity without heading training was associated with a greater negative cognitive performance than heading only. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of young elite soccer players, the elevation of p-tau 181 and tau was observed after acute intense physical activity and nonconcussive repetitive head impacts. The increase of p-tau 181 levels relative to tau after 24 hours indicated an acute enrichment of phosphorylated tau fraction in the periphery when compared with preimpact levels; an imbalance of tau proteins may have long-lasting consequences in the brain of head-impacted individuals.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2574-3805
DOI:
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.6101
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Medical Association (AMA)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2931249-8
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