Investigating the Association of Concussion and Contact Sport Exposure History With Brain Microstructure Using...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Repetitive head impacts and concussions may cause subtle neurological changes.
• Previous studies show varied associations between head trauma and brain microstructure using diffusion MRI.
• Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) offers a novel method to assess neurotrauma effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between prior concussions and contact sport exposure with brain magnetic susceptibility in collegiate athletes.
• To explore associations between magnetic susceptibility, symptom severity, and cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) was used to measure magnetic susceptibility in collegiate athletes.
• Concussion history and years of contact sport exposure were recorded as proxies for head impact.
• Voxel-wise analyses identified regions of interest, and correlations with symptom and cognitive data were assessed.

Main Results:

• Higher concussion history was associated with lower magnetic susceptibility in white matter regions (superior longitudinal fasciciuli and forceps major).
• No significant association was found between contact sport exposure duration and magnetic susceptibility.
• Lower magnetic susceptibility in affected regions correlated with increased general and psychological symptom severity and poorer fluid cognition performance.

Conclusions:

• Prior concussions, not just years of contact sport, are associated with altered brain magnetic susceptibility in athletes.
• Decreased susceptibility in specific white matter tracts may indicate underlying neurophysiological changes.
• These microstructural changes are linked to adverse symptom reporting and cognitive deficits in collegiate athletes.