Genetic polymorphisms, concussion risk, and post concussion neurocognitive deficits in college and high school athletes

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate associations ofAPOEandTaugene polymorphisms with sports-related acute concussions and baseline to post-concussion neuropsychological test score changes.DesignMulti-center prospective cohort study.SettingScholarship athletes at 21 universities and 4 high schools Participants: 3218 athletes playing football (70%) or soccer (23%).Assessment of Risk FactorsAPOE,APOEG-219T promoter (APOEProm),Tauexon 6 Ser53Pro (TauSer), andTauexon 6 Hist47Tyr (TauHis) genetic polymorphisms.Main Outcome Measurements(1) Acute concussions and (2) differences between baseline and 24–72 h post-concussion Headminder Neuropsychological Test Scores of Simple and Complex Reaction Time (SRT and CRT, respectively) and Processing Speed.ResultsThere were a total of 131 athletes with incident concussions and genetic data and neuropsychological test scores. There were no statistically significant differences in frequencies of acute concussions according to genotypes by χ2test. By t-test, the mean baseline to post-concussion neuropsychological changes were statistically significantly greater for CRT and SRT in those with the TauSer ‘TT’ genotype and for CRT in those with the APOEProm ‘TT’ genotype, and borderline significantly greater in those with the TauSer ‘TT’ genotype (p=0.09).ConclusionsThe statistically significantly worse mean baseline to post-concussion neuropsychological test scores in those with the APOEProm and TauSer polymorphisms suggests a possible genetic influence on post-concussion neurocognitive recovery. These preliminary findings provide no evidence for associations of the fourAPOEandTaugene polymorphisms investigated with acute concussions, although the small sample size and lack of control for confounders are limitations.AcknowledgementsGrant funding was provided through the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee for Safety Athletic Equipment) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) Foundations. The opinions expressed in this abstract are not those of NOCSAE or AMSSM.Competing interestsNone.

Revisiting the modifiers: how should the evaluation and management of acute concussions differ in specific groups?

“…A large multicentre prospective cohort study of 3218 collegiate or high school athletes failed to demonstrate an association between acute concussion risk and APOE and APOE promoter polymorphisms 48. However, in a subset of 131 concussed athletes, an association between neuropsychological testing and genetic polymorphisms was identified 48…”

Influence of Concussion History and Genetics on Event-Related Potentials in Athletes: Potential Use in Concussion Management

“…A specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the ApoE gene (rs405509) is commonly known as the APOE Promoter. This SNP is characterized by a T allele in lieu of a G allele, and is linked to increases concussion susceptibility ([ 65 , 66 ]). Individuals who are homozygous for the T allele were three times more likely to have a history of concussion as opposed to those homozygous for the G allele of the ApoE promoter.…”

“…Individuals who are homozygous for the T allele were three times more likely to have a history of concussion as opposed to those homozygous for the G allele of the ApoE promoter. Furthermore, the possession of a T allele with the e2 or e4 isoform of the ApoE gene may exacerbate concussion susceptibility in collegiate student-athletes [ 65 ].…”

Concussion-Associated Polygenic Profiles of Elite Male Rugby Athletes

“…In elite male rugby league (RL), concussion accounted for 29% of all injuries in illegal play and 9% of all injuries in legal play [4]. Sustaining a prior concussion increases the risk of subsequent time-loss injuries and repeated concussions [5][6][7][8]. There is a growing concern about the potential short and long-term neurodegenerative consequences associated with concussion, such as chronic post-concussion syndrome, cognitive impairment, forms of dementia, migraines, sleep dysfunction and anxiety [1,[9][10][11][12][13].…”