White Matter Hyperintensities and Microstructural Alterations in Contact Sport Athletes from Adolescence to Early Midlife.

ABSTRACT: Studies have demonstrated associations between cumulative concussion and repetitive head impact exposure (RHI) through contact sports with white matter (WM) alterations later in life. The course of WM changes associated with exposure earlier in the lifespan is unclear. This study investigated alterations in white matter (WM hyperintensity [WMH] volume and microstructural changes) associated with concussion and RHI exposure from adolescence to early midlife, as well as the interaction between exposure and age cohort (i.e., adolescent/young adult compared with early midlife athlete cohorts) on WM outcomes. Participating football players included an adolescent/young adulthood cohort (n = 82; M_age = 18.4 ± 1.7) and an early midlife cohort (37 former collegiate players

SUBMITTER: Brett BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11564850 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature