Harden Elkington
This is the main finding of a study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
The study was published in Radiology today.
” This case series concludes that athletes may develop brain injury after repetitive subconcussive blows to the head resulting in white matter hyperintensities,” wrote lead author Christopher Randolph, PhD, professor of radiology at UT Southwestern. ”
The findings are especially important given the growing concern regarding contact sports and their potential for head injuries. However, our results raise more questions than they answer, including whether other factors may have contributed to these abnormalities.”
What are white matter hyperintensities?
White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are characterized by white matter that appears bright on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan due to a loss of myelin, the fatty material that insulates axons and speeds nerve impulses.
These bright spots are often seen over the lateral cerebral hemispheres, deep nuclei, brainstem, and cerebellum.
In this study researchers looked at 18 football players from a community football team, all with at least 5 years of organized football experience.
Of the 18 players, 9 were linemen (involved primarily in blocking and tackling) and 9 were non-linemen (who participated more in pass receptions).
All athletes had neurologic examinations, cognitive testing, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a type of MRI that measures the movement of water molecules in tissue, to look for signs of brain injury.
DTI revealed that linemen had more WMHs than non-linemen and those with more years of football experience also had more WMHs. The linemen players also had worse scores on cognitive tests and were more likely to have abnormalities on their neurologic examinations.
Our study found that football players, especially linemen, who had more years of experience and who were hit in the head more often during play, were more likely to have brain abnormalities on MRI. These findings suggest that repetitive head injuries may cause changes in the brain that lead to cognitive decline.
Christopher Randolph, PhD, professor of radiology at UT Southwestern
What Causes white matter hyperintensities?
The cause of WMHs is not completely understood, but they are thought to be caused by a variety of factors including age, hypertension, stroke, and head injury.
“It is possible that the accumulation of small injuries over time may lead to these abnormalities, or that players with pre-existing risk factors for WMHs may be more likely to experience these changes,” Randolph said.
“However, more research is needed to determine the specific cause or causes of WMHs in athletes.”
The findings from this study raise a concern about the long-term effects of repetitive head injuries in athletes and suggest that further research is needed to determine the cause of WMHs in athletes.
“The goal of this research is to improve the safety of athletes,” Randolph said. “Our study highlights an important issue in returning athletes back to the sport after injury, but it may also have implications for other populations.”
What are the symptoms?
Although the long-term effects of WMHs are unclear, studies have suggested that multiple WMHs could be associated with cognitive dysfunction and dementia.
” Our study did not find an association between these brain abnormalities and any symptoms, but larger studies to determine the clinical impact of WMHs in athletes are necessary,” Randolph said.
“Dehydration, inadequate nutrition, and exposure to environmental toxins may also play a role in the development of WMHs and should be considered in future studies.”
WMHs are seen as bright spots on an MRI scan and can be caused by a variety of factors, including age, hypertension, stroke, and head injury.
This study found that football players who had more years of experience and were hit in the head more often during play were more likely to have brain abnormalities on MRI.
The goal of this research is to improve the safety of athletes, but it may also have implications for other populations. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinical impact of WMHs in athletes.
How is it diagnosed?
WMHs can be diagnosed with an MRI scan.
The findings from this study suggest that football players who have more years of experience and are hit in the head more often during play are more likely to have brain abnormalities on MRI.
Larger studies are needed to determine the clinical impact of WMHs in athletes.
- See also: What is neuroplasticity and how does it work?
- See also: What role does genetics play in determining one’s intellect?
What is the treatment?
There is no specific treatment for WMHs and the long-term effects of WMHs are not known. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinical impact of WMHs in athletes.
Water molecules in tissue, to look for signs of brain injury. DTI revealed that linemen had more WMHs than non-linemen and those with more years of football experience also had more WMHs.
The linemen players also had worse scores on cognitive tests and were more likely to have abnormalities on their neurologic examinations.
How to prevent it?
There is no sure way to prevent WMHs, but wearing a helmet may help reduce the risk of head injury. Additional studies are needed to determine the clinical impact of WMHs in athletes.
Age related white matter disease is progressive, which means it can get worse. However, you may take measures to prevent it from spreading.
Researchers think you might be able to repair the damage if you detect it early. Keep track of your blood pressure and sugar levels. Changes in white matter can be caused by this.
Follow a diet that keeps blood pressure and diabetes under control. You can also take steps to protect your brain, such as quitting smoking and not drinking too much alcohol.
Conclusion
The findings in this study suggest that football players, especially linemen, who have more years of experience and are hit in the head more often during play are more likely to have brain abnormalities on MRI.
This is an observational cross sectional study which means it cannot prove any cause or effect.
The researchers stressed that these results will need to be confirmed with additional studies.
