The most recent research has revealed some compelling discoveries regarding the biological changes in rugby players who have sustained numerous concussions. Led by experts from Durham University, the study explores the potential risks and biomarkers associated with the development of motor neurone disease (MND) and other conditions in retired rugby players.
The focus of the study was to identify distinct biomarkers in the blood of retired rugby players with a history of multiple concussions. The researchers discovered that players who had experienced five or more concussions throughout their careers exhibited elevated levels of certain proteins linked to conditions such as MND and Alzheimer’s disease.
The implications of this discovery are significant for the future monitoring and detection of potential health issues in former players, with the hope of one day creating a “toolkit” to track their well-being. This news comes in light of the passing of former All Blacks player Norm Hewitt and Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow, both of whom battled MND.
The research involved a comparison of specific biomarkers in the blood of 30 retired male athletes who suffered from more than five concussions during their careers, with 26 retired sportsmen who had no history of concussion. For the purposes of this study, the athletes were part of the UK Rugby Health project.
Notably, the group of retired players who suffered concussions displayed considerably higher levels of serum t-tau and tau-p181 proteins, known for their role in the development of Alzheimer’s and MND. This finding sheds light on the potential lasting impact of concussions on the biology of the brain.
Furthermore, the research revealed lower levels of a retinoid transport protein called RBP-4 in rugby players who had experienced concussions. This protein is crucial for the development and functioning of the brain, suggesting that concussions may have a lasting impact on brain health.
With the insights gained from the study, there is hope that blood testing for specific proteins could lead to earlier diagnoses and interventions for neurodegenerative diseases in athletes. This marks a significant advancement in improving the long-term health outcomes of former contact sportspeople.
The authors of the study, including Professor Paul Chazot and Dr. Karen Hind from Durham University, are advocating for continued efforts to define the pathways that lead to concussion-induced neurodegenerative diseases. They emphasize the importance of introducing interventions to minimize the potential development of such diseases and express optimism about advanced interventions currently in development.
Additionally, former Welsh international rugby player Alix Popham, who has been diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy and early onset dementia, is calling for necessary changes to protect current rugby players.
The study has attracted attention from experts in the field, with Dr. Amanda Heslegrave, a senior research fellow at UCL’s UKDRI Fluid Biomarker Laboratory, highlighting the need for larger-scale research to draw conclusive results.
Overall, the research has opened up avenues for understanding the biological effects of repeated concussions in the context of sports. It serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of player welfare and the need for continued research into brain injuries in contact sports. The hope is that informed interventions can be developed to safeguard the health of present and future athletes.