In a recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences , researchers assess differences in specific biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative diseases between United Kingdom-based retired rugby players with a history of concussions and a non-contact sports group. Study: Concussion-Related Biomarker Variations in Retired Rugby Players and Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease Risk: The UK Rugby Health Study. Image Credit: PeopleImages.
com - Yuri A / Shutterstock.com An overview of concussions Rugby, a popular contact sport, is associated with a significant risk of injury, including concussions, due to its physical nature of tackling and collisions. Concussions are brain injuries that result from head accelerations and decelerations and are characterized by reflex paralysis, brief consciousness impairment, or memory loss.
Concussion symptoms can include dizziness, headache, sleep disturbances, and cognitive issues. Furthermore, concussions have been linked to long-term cognitive and mental health effects, including an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Alzheimer's (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Further research is needed to establish the neurobiological relationships between concussions, persistent adverse behavioral effects, and biomarkers predictive of neurodegenerative diseases.
About the study The current study involved analyzing blood biomarkers in retired rugby players w.