The objective of this study is to evaluate, using MRI, the microstructural consequences and the onset of any cognitive impairment in professional soccer players at the end of their career, who have experienced repeated minor head injuries. Over the long term, these head injuries could lead to morphological lesions and have an impact on soccer players' cognitive skills. The main evaluation criterion corresponds to the modifications found on MRI in the professional soccer player group (diffusion tensor, cerebral perfusion, fMRI, cerebral volumetry and cortical thickness, spectroscopy, susceptibility imaging). This is an exposure/nonexposure study assessing the onset of MRI abnormalities (diffusion tensor, cerebral perfusion, fMRI, volumetry and cortical thickness, spectroscopy, susceptibility imaging) in professional soccer players exposed to repeated mild head injuries, who are either at the end of their career or retired for approximately 10 years, compared to high-level athletes not exposed to head injuries.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
80
The following sequences of the MRI will be acquired during the inclusion visit: * 3D T1 gradient echo (GRE): anatomy; registration; cerebral, white matter, and grey matter volumetry; and cortical thickness; * multiecho 3D T2 GRE: quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), iron overload quantification; * continuous arterial spin labeling (ASL) 3D: cerebral perfusion; * resting-state fMRI: functional connectivity; * 64-direction DTI (b=1000 and 2500): alterations in white matter and its microstructure, anatomic connectivity; * monovoxel spectroscopy of the mesencephalus with short echo time (TE).
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg
Strasbourg, France
RECRUITINGAbnormalities on MRI in professional soccer players exposed to repeated mild head injuries, potentially related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, compared to high-level athletes who are not exposed to head injuries.
This is a study assessing the relation between exposure to mild head injuries during soccer play in professional players and the onset of MRI and neuropsychological abnormalities. The main evaluation criterion corresponds to the quantitative MRI modifications (professional soccer player group compared with control group).
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
RL RI 16 items (Van der Linden, 2001) to assess the functioning of verbal episodic memory (= 25 min.)
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
Memory reproduction of Rey's complex figure in order to assess episodic visual memory (Rey Osterrieth, 1941) (= 20 min)
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
Verbal and visuo-spatial auditory empans (Wechsler scale Memory form III, 1997) to assess short-term memory and working memory (= 5 min)
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
Copy of Rey's complex figure (Rey-Osterrieth, 1941) assessing visual-constructive abilities and planning (= 5 min)
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
The Brixton Test, a spatial anticipation task that also evaluates executive functioning (Burgess P.W. \& Shallice T. (1996) (= 15 min)
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
Trail Making Test A and B (Reitan et al., 1950) assessing treatment speed and mental flexibility (= 5 min)
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
Computerized attention tests will also be used to measure reaction times and also executive aspects (Phasic Alert, Split Attention and Zimmermann APR Incompatibility version 2.1, 2009) (= 15 min)
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
Social cognition test Reading the Mind in the eyes assessing the ability to read the emotions of others which, in turn, is related to pSocial cognition test Reading the Mind in the eyes assessing the ability to read the emotions of others which, in turn, is related to performance in team problem-solving tasks (Baron-Cohen; 2001) ( = 10 min)
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
A BRIEF-A (Behavioural Evaluation Inventory of Executive Functions - Adult Version): 10min
Time frame: day 1
The cognitive impact of repeated mild head injuries via a neuropsychological evaluation by neurophysiological tests: number of errors and time to complete tests
Research into recurrent symptoms such as headache (seniority, frequency), fatigability, sleep disturbance, dizziness, blurred vision, photo-phonophobia
Time frame: day 1
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