TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - NFL blood levels are moderated by subconcussive impacts in a cohort of college football players
JO  - Brain injury
A1  - Rubin, Leah H.
A1  - Tierney, Ryan
A1  - Kawata, Keisuke
A1  - Wesley, Leroy
A1  - Lee, Jong Hyun
A1  - Blennow, Kaj
A1  - Zetterberg, Henrik
A1  - Langford, Dianne
SP  - 456
EP  - 462
VL  - 33
IS  - 4
N2  - INTRODUCTION: Repetitive subconcussive head impacts in contact/collision sports such as in US football are believed to contribute to long-term brain changes and chronic symptoms. However, the lack of tools to measure the effects of repeated subconcussion limits our understanding of potential contributions to neuropathological alterations including cellular damage. <br><br>METHODS: We examined subconcussive head impacts using an accelerometer-embedded mouthguard on changes in blood levels of neurofilament light (NFL) chain in 18 Division I college football players. Plasma levels of NFL and clinical symptoms were assessed at pre-post practices. The frequency and linear and rotational head accelerations recorded via the mouthguard were examined in relation to NFL plasma changes. <br><br>RESULTS: The frequency and magnitude of head impacts associated with increased NFL levels. The greater numbers of hits and head accelerations associated with greater pre- to post-practice NFL level increases (p < 0.05). Greater pre- to post-practice increases in NFL also associated with greater pre- to post-practice increases in S100β (p < 0.001), but not with total tau. Years of football experience and concussion history did not associate with changes in NFL. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Acute changes in NFL may be a clinically useful peripheral marker in tracking acute brain damage in collegiate football players, and other contact sports.    Keywords: American football <p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0269-9052
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2019.1565895
ID  - ref1
ER  -