Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, accounts for 85% of brain injuries and is common in both professional and amateur sports. It results from kinetic impacts causing a temporary disruption of brain function, often without visible abnormalities on imaging, making diagnosis difficult. The majority of concussions remain undetected, without specific management. To facilitate detection, the development of reliable salivary BMs is essential, as they offer a non-invasive, rapid, and simple method for early identification of biological changes related to concussions.
Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury, accounts for 85% of brain injuries and is common in both professional and amateur sports. It results from kinetic impacts causing a temporary disruption of brain function, often without visible abnormalities on imaging, making diagnosis difficult. The majority of concussions remain undetected, without specific management. Recently, several molecular biomarkers (BMs) of concussion in high-level athletes have been identified. However, the physiological reference values of these BMs are not yet sufficiently established to allow optimal use of diagnostic tests for concussion. To facilitate detection, the development of reliable salivary BMs is essential, as they offer a non-invasive, rapid, and simple method for early identification of biological changes related to concussions. It is also crucial to correlate these changes with the physical forces experienced by players during impacts. Indeed, the literature indicates that concussions can result from rapid head movements, often caused by violent linear and angular accelerations/decelerations, even if indirect.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
66
Nucleic acids will be extracted from the participants' saliva using a commercial extraction kit (Qiagen). The miRNAs will then be analyzed by RT-qPCR. The miRNAs will first undergo a reverse transcription step to generate complementary DNAs. Then, using specific primers, the complementary DNAs will be amplified and measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR). The levels of proteins of interest (NSE, UCHL1, and GFAP) will be measured in the participants' saliva using enzymatic assay methods or ELISA-type methods carried out using commercial kits. An instrumented mouthguard will measure the intensity (acceleration) and the number of impacts sustained by each player during matches.
Sys2Diag - Umr9005 Cnrs/Alcen
Montpellier, France
RECRUITINGAssess the intensity and number of impacts
The primary objective is to assess whether the intensity and number of impacts (acceleration forces) sustained by players during high-intensity matches are correlated with a variation in the profiles of salivary biomarkers (proteins and short nucleic acids) described for concussion, which will be measured before and after a match in professional rugby players (U20).
Time frame: 3 Years
Measure the concentration of salivary BMs
Measure the concentration of salivary BMs during competitive matches such as the Six Nations Tournament of the French under-20 rugby team (U20) to determine the physiological values of the biomarkers.
Time frame: 3 Years
Measure the acceleration and deceleration forces
Measure the acceleration and deceleration forces experienced by players during these matches, as well as their number.
Time frame: 3 Years
Compare the profiles of BMs
Compare the profiles of BMs in the saliva of professional sports players before and after each match.
Time frame: 3 Years
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