Open AccessRepetitive head impact exposure and later‐life plasma total tau in former National Football League players
Author(s) -
Alosco Michael L.,
Tripodis Yorghos,
Jarnagin Johnny,
Baugh Christine M.,
Martin Brett,
Chaisson Christine E.,
Estochen Nate,
Song Linan,
Cantu Robert C.,
Jeromin Andreas,
Stern Robert A.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: diagnosis, assessment and disease monitoring
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.497
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2352-8729
DOI - 10.1016/j.dadm.2016.11.003
Subject(s) - chronic traumatic encephalopathy , tauopathy , medicine , biomarker , football , plasma levels , psychology , endocrinology , chemistry , poison control , concussion , neurodegeneration , disease , political science , injury prevention , biochemistry , environmental health , law
Blood protein analysis of total tau (t‐tau) may be a practical screening biomarker for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative tauopathy associated with repetitive head impact (RHI) exposure. We examined plasma t‐tau in symptomatic former National Football League (NFL) players compared with controls and the relationship between RHI exposure and later‐life plasma t‐tau. Methods Ninety‐six former NFL players (age 40–69) and 25 same‐age controls underwent blood draw to determine plasma t‐tau levels. The cumulative head impact index (CHII) quantified RHI exposure. Subjects completed measures of clinical function. Results A higher CHII predicted greater plasma t‐tau in the former NFL players ( P = .0137). No group differences in plasma t‐tau emerged, but a concentration ≥3.56 pg/mL was 100% specific to former NFL players. Plasma t‐tau did not predict clinical function. Discussion Greater RHI exposure predicted higher later‐life plasma t‐tau concentrations, and further study on plasma t‐tau as a candidate screening biomarker for CTE is warranted.