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A retired rugby player who has suffered multiple concussions has a biological difference that could make him more susceptible to motor neurone disease (MND) and other conditions, scientists say.
Researchers have found that players who suffer five or more concussions during their careers have higher levels of certain proteins in their blood linked to conditions including MND and Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists hope the discovery could lead to a “toolkit” for monitoring former players.
This study provides the beginning of a biomarker toolbox for monitoring the brain health of retired contact athletes, particularly those with a history of concussions during their careers.
Professor Paul Chazot, Durham University
The inquiry comes after it emerged that former All Blacks player Norm Hewitt died aged 55 of MND.
Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow died last month aged 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with the disease.
The new research looked at differences in certain biomarkers between retired England rugby players with a history of concussion and a group of athletes who had not suffered head trauma around seven years after retiring from the sport.
The researchers, led by academics from Durham University, looked for biomarkers in the blood linked to MND, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Information on 30 retired male athletes – including both rugby league and rugby union players – who suffered more than five concussions during their careers was compared with data on 26 retired sportsmen with no history of concussion. All sportsmen are involved in the England Rugby Health project.
Higher levels of specific proteins called serum t-tau and tau-p181, which play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s and MND, were found in the concussion group compared to the healthy control group, according to the study, which has been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Rugby players who have had concussions in their careers also have lower levels of a retinoid transport protein called RBP-4, which plays a role in brain development and function.
Academics say that if the blood can be tested and monitored for these specific proteins, it may be possible to diagnose athletes early for neurodegenerative diseases and provide early intervention.
Researchers are trying to secure funding to conduct a follow-up study with the players.
This will also pave the way for the introduction of the necessary interventions to reduce the development of neurodegenerative diseases in the future. We have several interventions that are currently in advanced stages of development
Professor Paul Chazot, senior author
The senior author of the study, Professor Paul Chazot, from Durham University’s biosciences department, said: “The long-term effects of concussions in rugby players, footballers, boxers as well as retired military personnel are a major concern, as they are linked to neurodegenerative diseases. .
“This study provides the beginning of a biomarker toolbox for monitoring the brain health of retired contact athletes, particularly those with a history of concussions during their careers.
“This will also pave the way for the introduction of interventions that are needed to reduce the development of neurodegenerative diseases in the future. We have various interventions that are currently in an advanced development stage.
Co-author, Dr Karen Hind, honorary fellow at the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing at Durham University, initiated the UK Rugby Health study. He added: “This is an important development in the field and we call for continued efforts to define the pathways that cause concussion-induced neurodegenerative diseases.
“Thank you to the research team and everyone involved in this important study. Despite the absence of external funding, the England Rugby Health project continues to make a significant contribution to the field.
Commenting on the study, former Welsh international rugby player Alix Popham, who has been diagnosed with possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy and early onset dementia, called for more to protect rugby players.
Popham, co-founder of the charity Head For Change, said: “This is more evidence that big changes need to happen to protect rugby players today.”
Jessica Lee, director of research at the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, added: “Durham University research has identified a potential biomarker (a protein that can be measured in the blood) that is elevated in rugby players who have sustained concussion.
“These results are the beginning, and the sample size is small, so it is important to approach the results with caution. However, it will be interesting, with further research, to find out if these biomarkers are related to the outcome of the disease.
“As part of the Catalysing a Cure research strategy, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is funding a number of research projects in the hope of identifying new targets for the treatment of MND in the future – including investigating the link between exercise and MND – and the continued support of the public in funding this research is essential to our efforts to find a cure for this devastating disease.
Dr Amanda Heslegrave, senior researcher at UCL’s UKDRI Fluid Biomarker Laboratory, said: “The long-term effects of repeated concussions such as those experienced during a sporting career are an important area of ​​research for public health.
“This paper aims to continue this research by measuring proteins that indicate brain health or injury in blood in retired sportsmen who have suffered repeated concussions during their careers.
“The sample size here is very small – and it’s made even smaller when looking at the sub-analyses, so I have to be careful when interpreting the results and I want to see a larger study before I want to draw conclusions.”
