Citation

Seichepine DR, Stamm JM, Daneshvar DH, Riley DO, Baugh CM, Gavett BE, Tripodis Y, Martin B, Chaisson C, McKee AC, Cantu RC, Nowinski CJ, Stern R. J. Neurotrauma 2013; 30(14): 1299-1304.

Affiliation

Boston University, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, , Boston University School of Medicine, Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, 72 East Concord Street, Suite B7800, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02118, 617-424-8383, 617-414-1197; daniel13@bu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2012.2690

PMID

23421745

Abstract

Repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), such as that experienced by contact sport athletes, has been associated with the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Executive dysfunction is believed to be among the earliest symptoms of CTE, with these symptoms presenting in the fourth or fifth decade of life. The present study used a well-validated self-report measure to study executive functioning in football players compared to healthy adults. 64 college and professional football players were administered the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, adult version (BRIEF-A) to evaluate nine areas of executive functioning. Scores on the BRIEF-A were compared to published age-corrected normative scores for healthy adults Relative to healthy adults, the football players indicated significantly more problems overall and on 7 of the 9 clinical scales, including Inhibit, Shift, Emotional Control, Initiate, Working Memory, Plan/Organize and Task Monitor. These symptoms were greater in athletes 40 and older, relative to younger players. In sum, football players reported more frequent problems with executive functioning and these symptoms may develop or worsen in the fifth decade of life. The findings are in accord with a growing body of evidence that participation in football is associated with the development of cognitive changes and dementia as seen in CTE.

Keywords: American football;

Language: en