The neurobiological effects of repetitive head impacts in collision sports.

The neurobiological effects of repetitive head impacts in collision sports. Neurobiol Dis. 2018 Jun 21;: Authors: Hunter LE, Branch CA, Lipton ML Abstract It is now recognized that repetitive head impacts (RHI) in sport have the potential for long-term neurological impairments. In order to identify targets for intervention and/or pharmacological treatment it is necessary to characterize the neurobiological mechanisms associated with RHI. This review aims to summarize animal and human studies that specifically address Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) dysfunction, abnormal neuro-metabolic and neuro-inflammatory processes as well as Tau aggregation associated with RHI in collision sports. Additionally, we examine the influence of physical activity and genetics on outcomes of RHI, discuss methodological considerations, and provide suggestions for future directions of this burgeoning area of research. PMID: 29936233 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Neurobiology of Disease - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Neurobiol Dis Source Type: research