White matter signal abnormalities in former National Football League players

• Main Authors: Michael L. Alosco, Inga K. Koerte, Yorghos Tripodis, Megan Mariani, Alicia S. Chua, Johnny Jarnagin, Yashar Rahimpour, Christian Puzo, Rose C. Healy, Brett Martin, Christine E. Chaisson, Robert C. Cantu, Rhoda Au, Michael McClean, Ann C. McKee, Alexander P. Lin, Martha E. Shenton, Ronald J. Killiany, Robert A. Stern
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
• Series: Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring
• Subjects: White matter signal abnormalities; White matter hyperintensities; Repetitive head impacts; Chronic traumatic encephalopathy; Alzheimer's disease; Cognitive function
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadm.2017.10.003

Abstract Introduction Later‐life brain alterations in former tackle football players are poorly understood, particularly regarding their relationship with repetitive head impacts (RHIs) and clinical function. We examined white matter signal abnormalities (WMSAs) and their association with RHIs and clinical function in former National Football League (NFL) players. Methods Eighty‐six clinically symptomatic former NFL players and 23 same‐age reportedly asymptomatic controls without head trauma exposure underwent magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological testing. FreeSurfer calculated WMSAs. A cumulative head impact index quantified RHIs. Results In former NFL players, increased volume of WMSAs was associated with higher cumulative head impact index scores (P = .043) and worse psychomotor speed and executive function (P = .015). Although former NFL players had greater WMSA volume than controls (P = .046), these findings are inconclusive due to recruitment of controls based on lack of clinical symptoms and head trauma exposure. Discussion In former NFL players, WMSAs may reflect long‐term microvascular and nonmicrovascular pathologies from RHIs that negatively impact cognition.