NFL LONG Prospective Study

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL · Feb 6, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

There is growing concern that repetitive concussions, or even exposure to sub-concussive blows during collision sports, may be associated with chronic neurologic problems, including CTE. Despite the lay media attributing devastating clinical problems to CTE, no studies conclusively demonstrate a connection between the pathological findings and clinical effects. Experts at the 5th International Conference on Concussion concluded that "a cause-and-effect relationship has not yet been demonstrated between CTE and SRCs \[sport-related concussions\]" and "the notion that repeated concussion or s...

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for Former NFL Player Group:
• • At least 1 year of participation in National Football League (NFL groups)
• • Retired from professional football
• • Ages between 50-70
• Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:
• • No prior exposure to football, collision sports, or prior concussions
• • They will be matched to former NFL players by age and estimated premorbid intellectual functioning.
• • Ages between 50-70
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any contraindications to MRI, PET, or biological study procedures
• • History of Moderate or Severe TBI
• • Current primary Axis I diagnosis of Psychotic Disorder
• • History or clinical suspicion of other conditions (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, dementia) known to cause cognitive dysfunction
• • Diagnosis /associated treatment that would preclude participation in full study protocol (e.g., terminal cancer)