Abstract Details

Title Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Retired NFL Players. Correlation with Diffusion Tensor (DTI) MRI and Neuropsychological Testing.

Topic Neuro Trauma and Sports Neurology

Presentation(s) (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 005

Background Retired NFL players are reporting neurocognitive deficits. Some have pathological changes consistent with CTE.

Objective

Design/Methods A prospective analysis was conducted including neurological history/examination, extensive neuropsychological evaluation, and Conventional/Advanced neuroimaging studies including DTI MRI in 40 retired NFL players. Individuals with fractional anisotropy (FA) values 2.5 standard deviations below aged matched controls were considered to have a positive study.

Results Mean age was 35.85 (range 27-56 years). They played an average of 7 years (range 2-17) in the NFL and reported an average of 8.1 concussions. Twelve (31%) reported numerous sub-concussive hits. All had normal neurological exams. Mean MMSE score was 27.3 range (16-30), CDR scale was 0.5, (max was 1.0). Seventeen (42.5%) players had positive DTI MRI’s. Twelve (30%) demonstrated evidence of traumatic axonal injury on conventional MRI. Neuropsychological testing demonstrated significant abnormalities in attention and concentration (42%), executive function (50%), learning/memory (44.7%), spatial/perceptual function (23.7%). There was a correlation with number of years played and positive DTI (p=0.0491). No correlation was found between years played and positive conventional MRI. There was no correlation between # of concussions and positive DTI, An inverse correlation was found between number of years played and # of concussions

Conclusions Preliminary results of this ongoing study demonstrate a significantly higher incidence of TBI in retired NFL players when compared to the general population. Longer careers place the athlete at significantly higher risk of TBI.

Authors/Disclosures
Francis X. Conidi, DO, MS, FAHS FAAN, FAAN (Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology)	No disclosure on file
Edward W. Pegg IV, MD (OSF St. Francis)	No disclosure on file
John D. Lloyd, PhD (BRAINS, Inc.)	No disclosure on file

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