Olympic boxing is associated with elevated levels of the neuronal protein tau in plasma

• Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if olympic (amateur) boxing is associated with elevation of brain injury biomarkers in peripheral blood compared to controls. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMaterials and methods: Thirty olympic boxers competing in at least 47 bouts were compared to 25 controls. Blood was collected from the controls at one occasion and from the boxers within 1-6 days after a bout and after a rest period of at least 14 days. Tau concentration in plasma was determined using a novel single molecule ELISA assay and S-100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and amyloid beta 1-42 were determined using standard immunoassays. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: None of the boxers had been knocked-out during the bout. Plasma-tau was significantly increased in the boxers after a bout compared to controls (mean +/- SD, 2.46 +/- 5.10 vs. 0.79 +/- 0.961 ngL(-1), p = 0.038). The other brain injury markers did not differ between the groups. Plasma-tau decreased significantly in the boxers after a resting period compared to after a bout (p = 0.030). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions: Olympic boxing is associated with elevation of tau in plasma. The repetitive minimal head injury in boxing may lead to axonal injuries that can be diagnosed with a blood test.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Diffuse axonal injury

head injury

mild brain injury

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Diffuse axonal injury

head injury

mild brain injury

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)