PET brain study: More research needed in former NFL players

PET imaging shows high levels of brain protein activity associated with injury in a large group of young, former National Football League (NFL) players, according to a study published October 30 in JAMA Network Open. A team led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, found that translocator protein (TSPO) levels on PET brain scans were higher in young, former NFL players compared with elite, non-collision sport athletes, and they called for further research to find out whether these signs persist over time.“Further understanding of the microglial response to repeated [mild traumatic brain injury] in collision sport promises to inform future guidelines for game safety and clinical practices to promote brain healing,” wrote lead author Leah Rubin, PhD, and colleagues.TSPO is a key protein involved in neuroinflammation. Prior research has shown that after brain injuries, TSPO expression is highly increased. PET imaging with a specific radiotracer that visualizes this activity has revealed high levels across the brains of both elderly former NFL players and younger, active, or former NFL players.However, these studies were small in size, with just nine to 10 former players, the researchers noted. To further elucidate this pathology, the group used TSPO-PET in a larger, cross-sectional study.The group gathered data from 27 former NFL players within 12 years of their last participation in the NFL and 27 former elite, non-collision sport athletes (all swimme...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Molecular Imaging Neuroradiology Source Type: news