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- Baldwin, Jessie R., et al.
(author)
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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health : A Genetically Informed Study
- 2021
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In: Behavior Genetics. - : Springer. - 0001-8244 .- 1573-3297. ; 51:6, s. 691-692
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have an elevated risk of mental health problems, but it is unclear whether these associations reflect genetic confounding. We tested (1) whether children with genetic liability to psychopathology are more likely to experience ACEs, and (2) the extent to which the associations between ACEs and mental health are genetically confounded. Par-ticipants were 6411 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). ACEs (including maltreatment, domestic violence, and parental psychopathology, substance abuse, criminality, and separation) were prospectively measured through parent reports at multiple assessments between birth and age 9. Internalizing and externalizing problems at age 9 were assessed through parent reports on the Development and Wellbeing Assessment. We derived polygenic scores for a range of psychiatric disorders. Children with greater genetic liability to psychopathology had a small elevation in risk of ACEs (pooled odds ratio = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09). Measured polygenic scores accounted for a very small proportion of the associations between ACEs with internalizing problems (pooled average across ACEs = 3.6%) and externalizing problems (pooled average = 4.8%). However, latent polygenic scores capturing SNP heritability in mental health outcomes explained a larger proportion of the associations between ACEs with internalizing problems (pooled average = 63%) and externalizing problems (pooled average = 17%). Risk of mental health problems in children exposed to ACEs is partly, but not completely driven by pre-existing genetic liability to psychopathology. Assuming the absence of nongenetic confounding, these findings are consistent with a partly causal effect of ACEs on mental health.
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| 2. |
- McIntosh, Andrew, et al.
(author)
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Patterns of brain loading in concussive impacts in football
- 2010
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In: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. - : Elsevier BV. - 1440-2440 .- 1878-1861. ; 13:Supplement 1, s. e64-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have analysed and reported on the dynamics of concussive and non-concussive impacts in football using rigid body methods. This is a unique data set on concussion as it contains unhelmeted impacts. However, the underlying brain loading remains unclear due to limitations in these methods. Finite element analysis offers the possibility of studying the stress-strain characteristics of the brain arising from selected head impacts. Objective: To study patterns of brain loading in concussive impacts in football. Specifically to examine the location of the highest strain, e.g. cortical and sob-cortical, and relate these to symptomatic presentation. Method: Acceleration outputs from rigid body modelling of head impacts were applied to the KTH finite element human head model. The model was validated against cadaveric data for intracranial pressure, relative brain motion, and intracerebral acceleration. The model geometry mirrors the structure of the brain and other intracranial structures. The mesh comprises 26,898 nodes, 11,476 brick elements, 7939 shell and membrane elements, 22 2-node truss elements. Tissues properties were considered including: skull, brain (grey and white matter), meninges, cerebro-spinal fluid. The data set of 27 concussive and 9 non-concussive head impacts will be included in the analysis. The model is run using LSDyna. Stress–strain patterns are assessed by region and level. Results: Impacts with an estimated energy of up to 123 J and head acceleration up to 180 gravities are analysed. The results will report on the estimated brain stress-strain patterns and a comparison between the regions of greatest loading and symptomatic presentation, e.g. loss of consciousness and posturing. Discussion: This method offers new insights into the patho-mechanics and pathogenesis of concussion. A greater understanding of the patho-mechanics will lead to methods to reduce the incidence of concussion.
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| 3. |
- McIntosh, Andrew Stuart, et al.
(author)
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Sports helmets now and in the future
- 2011
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In: British Journal of Sports Medicine. - : BMJ. - 0306-3674 .- 1473-0480. ; 45:16, s. 1258-1265
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper reports on a symposium on sports helmets and presents a synthesis of information and opinion from a range of presenters and disciplines. A review of the literature shows that helmets play an important role in head injury prevention and control. Helmets have been shown to be very efficacious and effective in a range of sports and in preventing specific head injury risks, especially moderate to severe head injury. The symposium emphasised the importance of helmet standards and the need for further development. There are calls for helmets that address the needs of competitive (elite) athletes separate to helmets for recreational athletes. Deficiencies in the evidence base for head injury risks and helmet efficacy and effectiveness were identified in some sports. Issues in designing helmets that are suitable to prevent severe head injuries and concussion were discussed and explained from biomechanical and engineering perspectives. The need to evaluate helmet performance in oblique impacts and incorporate this into standards was covered in a number of presentations. There are emerging opportunities with in-helmet technology to improve impact performance or to measure impact exposure. In-helmet technology as it matures may provide critical information on the severity of the impact, the location of the injured athlete, for example, snowboarder, and assist in the retrieval and immediate, as well as the long-term medical management of the athlete. It was identified that athletes, families and sports organisations can benefit from access to information on helmet performance. The importance of selecting the appropriate-sized helmet and ensuring that the helmet and visor were adjusted and restrained optimally was emphasised. The translation pathway from the science to new and better helmets is the development of appropriate helmet standards and the requirement for only helmets to be used that are certified to those standards.
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