NSE & S100B protein blood level assessment during a long-distance trail race

The acute and chronic consequences of long-distance running on brain function have received little attention. The impact of such a hard-physical burden associated with sleep privation during such events such has never been explored in terms of neuropsychological function and brain damage.

Blood samples were collected from 4 athletes before, during and at the end of one of two races: Grand Raid de la Réunion 2017 (GRR: 165 km, elevation gain: 9529 m, 2 runners) and Trail de la Bourbon 2017 (TB: 111 km, elevation gain: 6433 m, 2 runners). Serum S100B and NSE levels were measured for each runner before, during and after the race.

Serum S100B levels (normal range: < 0.15 μg/L) increased early during the race and remained high up to the end of the race in all 4 runners (range: 0.17-0.59 μg/L). NSE level (normal range: < 15 μg/L) increased in 3 of the 4 runners (range: 16.8-39.2 μg/L).

This preliminary study shows the potential interest of S100B and NSE serum assessment during long-distance races. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to investigate the origins and significance of this increase in brain injury markers.