Repeated head trauma induces a decline in psychomotor and cognitive functions

By Aude Rambaud (Boulogne) [Declaration of interest links]

Shocks and traumatic brain injuries repeated in boxers and practitioners of certain martial arts are associated, in the event of cavum vergae and lengthening of the cavum septum pellucidum, with a reduction in the volume of the brain and a decline in psychomotor functions and speed. 'execution. These works appeared in JAMA Neurology.

Boxers and amateurs of some violent martial arts risk big for their brains. A new American study establishes a clear link between the practice of these activities exposing to repeated trauma to the head and cognitive decline. This is a cohort study including 476 active or retired professionals compared to 60 control subjects with no 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, mainly men, were on average 30 years old (18-72 years old). Those presenting a cavum vergae after repeated trauma presented impaired psychomotor capacities with greater slowness in general compared to wrestlers not presenting this alteration (estimated difference of –11.3; 95% CI –17.4 - –5.2; P = 0.004) as well as a decrease in the volume of the brain (–31191 mm3; –61903 - –479 mm³; P = 0.05). 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 <0.001), in psychomotor speed (–0.43 ; –0.53 - –0.32; P <0.001), and also 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 <0.001).

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. [Find the abstract online]
Publication date: September 20, 2019

Article posté le 27/09/2019