Association of Acute Increase in Plasma Neurofilament Light with Repetitive Subconcussive Head Impacts: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial.

The purpose of the study was to examine an association of repetitive subconcussive head impacts with changes in plasma neurofilament light (NF-L) levels following 10 bouts of controlled soccer heading. In this randomized control trial, 37 healthy adult soccer players were randomly assigned into either a heading (n = 19) or kicking-control group (n = 18). The heading group executed 10 headers with soccer balls projected at a velocity of 25 mph over 10 min.