Retired rugby players who have suffered multiple concussions have higher levels of certain proteins in their blood, which may make them more prone to developing diseases such as motor neuron disease (MND), according to a new study.
The research, led by Durham University, shows that it may be possible to measure specific key biomarkers. These biomarkers can indicate disease or predict possible future disease in the blood of athletes who have suffered multiple traumas to the head.
This is the first study to explore a range of specific biomarkers as part of the UK Rugby Health project.
If athletes’ blood can be tested and monitored for these specific proteins, it may be possible to diagnose them early for neurodegenerative diseases and provide early interventions.
The study is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
The retired male rugby players who took part had a substantial history of concussions during their playing career. Their blood samples contained more indicators of neural damage, known as serum exosomes, compared to a control group of fellow athletes who had not suffered head trauma.
Researchers found higher levels of specific proteins called serum t-tau and tau-p181, which play a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer’s and MND, compared to the healthy control group.
They also found that the rugby players who had been concussed in their career had lower levels of a retinoid transport protein called RBP-4, which plays an important role in the development and functioning of the brain. The researchers suggest this could offer a rationale for developing retinoid-based medications.
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