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Abstract #2385

Repetitive Head Impact Exposure and Later-Life Neurochemistry: A Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Investigation in Symptomatic Former NFL Players

Michael Alosco1, Benjamin Rowland2, Yorghos Tripodis3, Hujun Liao2, Alicia Chua 3, Brett Martin4, Ofer Pasternak5, Sarina Karmacharya5, Johnny Jarnagin6, Christine Chaisson4, Robert C Cantu7,8, Martha E Shenton5, Richard Greenwald9,10, Michael McClean11, Neil W Kowall12,13, Ann C McKee12,14,15, Robert A Stern16, and Alexander P Lin2

1Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States, 2Radiology, Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, 3Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, 4Data Coordinating Center, Boston University School of Public Health, MA, 5Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA, 6Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, 7Neurology, Neurosurgery, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, 8Concussion Legacy Foundation, 9Simbex, 10Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, 11Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, MA, 12Neurology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 13Neurology Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, 14VA Boston Healthcare System, 15Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, 16Neurology, Neurosurgery, Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University Alzheimer's Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, MA

This study examined magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as a potential biomarker for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). 79 former National Football League players and 23 same-age controls completed MRS. Cumulative head impact index (CHII) estimated repetitive head impact (RHI) exposure. Principal component analysis derived clinical composites. Former NFL players had lower parietal white matter (PWM) NAA (p=0.048). Higher CHII predicted lower PWM creatine (p=0.028). Anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG) metabolites correlated with visual memory (p=0.008-0.044). ACG glutamate (p=0.032) and glutamate/glutamine (p=0.012) predicted psychomotor/executive function. Posterior cingulate gyrus myo-inositol predicted verbal memory (p=0.048). MRS may facilitate detection of RHI-related neurological conditions, including CTE.

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