Concussion-Related Biomarker Variations in Retired Rugby Players and Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease Risk:...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Medicine
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Concussions in contact sports like rugby are linked to neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, ALS, CTE).
• Long-term effects on retired athletes' health, particularly neurological, are a significant concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare specific serum and plasma biomarkers between retired rugby players with concussion history and a non-contact sport control group.
• To identify potential biomarkers for predicting neurodegenerative outcomes in athletes with a history of concussion.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 56 retired male athletes (30 with >5 concussions, 26 controls).
• Analyzed serum biomarkers (t-tau, RBP-4, SAA, Nf-L, retinol), plasma cytokines, and exosome-associated biomarkers (Aβ42, p-tau181, p-tau217, p-tau231) using ELISA.
• Compared biomarker levels and serum-derived exosome sizes between the concussed and control groups.

Main Results:

• Significantly elevated t-tau (p < 0.01) and p-tau181 (p < 0.05) in the high-concussion group.
• Significantly larger serum-derived exosome sizes (p < 0.01) and reduced serum RBP-4 (p < 0.05) in the high-concussion group.
• Trends for higher Aβ42, p-tau217, and p-tau231 in the concussed group, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Retired athletes with multiple concussions exhibit altered serum exosome size, t-tau, p-tau181, and RBP-4 levels.
• These biomarkers warrant further investigation for predicting future neurodegenerative conditions in athletes with concussion history.
• The study highlights the need for monitoring neurological health in contact sport athletes post-retirement.