Concussion-Related Cognitive and Lipid Changes in Retired UK Rugby Players Study

Long-term effects of concussions, particularly in contact sport athletes, have been linked to changes in neuronal health. Lipid dysregulation has emerged as a potential contributor to neuronal injury and may serve as a measurable biomarker of brain pathology. This study investigated cognitive scores and serum lipid biomarkers in retired rugby players with a history of concussion to assess their association with concussion exposure. Serum levels of 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-HC), 25-HC, 27-HC, total triglycerides, and ceramide were compared between retired rugby players with a history of repeated concussions (n = 26) and non-contact sport controls (n = 19). ELISA-based quantification and statistical analyses identified significant group differences. Concussed athletes exhibited significantly lower serum 24-HC and significantly higher levels of 27-HC, triglycerides, and ceramide compared to controls, while no significant difference was observed for 25-HC. These findings indicate that repeated concussion is associated with reductions in cognitive performance and persistent alterations in serum lipid profiles. The observed lipid changes, particularly in 24-HC, 27-HC, ceramide, and triglycerides, may serve as measurable biomarkers of concussion-related biochemical alterations, providing a foundation for future studies aimed at monitoring neurological health in at-risk populations.