Disruption of Function: Neurophysiological markers of cognitive deficits in retired football players

Publication date: Available online 26 November 2018

Source: Clinical Neurophysiology

Author(s): Kyle I. Ruiter, Rober Boshra, Mitchell Doughty, Michael Noseworthy, John F. Connolly

Abstract

Objective

Recent studies demonstrate that sports-related concussions can have negative consequences on long-term brain health. The goal of the present study was to determine whether retired Canadian Football League (CFL) athletes with a history of concussions exhibit alterations in neurocognitive functioning, along with changes in physical, social, and psychological health.

Methods

Our study compared twenty retired CFL athletes' concussion histories to eighteen healthy age-matched controls with no history of concussion. Self-report inventories were used to assess depression, memory, attention, and general health. Neurophysiological markers of cognitive function were evaluated with event-related brain potentials (ERPs) as measured in two protocols: 1) A Mismatch Negativity (MMN) protocol for assessing the automatic early attentional brain mechanism; and, 2) a P300 auditory oddball task for assessing consciously controlled attention.

Results

Relative to controls, CFL players exhibited: response delays and reduced amplitudes in neurophysiological responses; overall decreases in cognitive function; and poorer scores on self-reports of physical, social, and psychological health; reflecting problems in all three categories.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that multiple concussions sustained over several years can lead to altered cognitive and psychosocial function.

Significance

Neurophysiological markers of conscious and pre-conscious attention provide an objective assessment for evaluating long-term cognitive consequences of concussion.

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