Repeated head trauma induce a decline in psychomotor and cognitive functions

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2749400

Repeated head trauma induce a decline in psychomotor and cognitive functions

Par Mme Aude Rambaud (Boulogne) [Déclaration de liens d'intérêts] 

Repeated shocks and head trauma in boxers and some martial arts practitioners are associated, in cases of cavum vergae and lengthening of the cavum septum pellucidum, with a reduced brain volume and a decline in psychomotor function and speed execution. This work has been published in JAMA Neurology.

Boxers and fans of some violent martial arts are at high risk for their brains. A new American study establishes a clear link between the practice of these activities exposing to repeated head injuries and cognitive decline.
This is a cohort study involving 476 active or retired professionals compared to 60 control subjects with no previous history of head trauma. These participants were asked about their mental health: depression, impulsivity, sleep via different specific questionnaires, their cognitive function was assessed using the CNS Vital signs and the volume of several brain structures measured by MRI.
The wrestlers, mostly men, were on average 30 years old (18-72 years old). Those with cavum vergae after repeated trauma had altered psychomotor abilities with greater slowness in general compared to wrestlers with no such impairments (estimated difference of -11.3, 95% CI -17.4 - -5.2; = .004) as well as a decrease in brain volume (-31191 mm³, -61903 - -479 mm³, P = .05).
In addition, the length of the cavum septum pellucidum was associated with a reduction in the speed of execution (-0.39, -0.49 - -0.28, P <.001), the psychomotor speed (-0.43, -0.53 - -0.32; P <.001), and also to a reduction in the volume of the brain (-1072 mm³ for each 1-mm increase in the length of the CSPV, -1655 - -489 mm³, P <.001).

Reference:
Jonathan K. Lee et al.
Association of Cavum Septum Pellucidum and Cavum Vergae With Cognition, Mood, and Brain Volumes in Professional Fighters
JAMA Neurol. Published online September 9, 2019.
[Read the abstract online]

Article posté le 27/09/2019