Genetic polymorphisms associated with the risk of concussion in 1056 college athletes: a multicentre prospective cohort study.

Background/aim: To evaluate the association of genetic polymorphisms APOE, G-219T promoter, microtubule associated protein(MAPT)/ exon 6 SerPro, MAPT/ HistTyr, 572 G/C and 358 with the risk of concussion in college athletes.

Methods: A 23-centre prospective cohort study of 1056 college athletes with genotyping was completed between August 2003 and December 2012. All athletes completed baseline medical and concussion questionnaires, and post-concussion data were collected for athletes with a documented concussion.

Exposure to sub-concussive head injury in boxing and other sports.

Background: Current characterizations of chronic traumatic brain injury (CTBI) in boxing, football and other sports are reviewed in the context of the history of research on sub-concussive brain trauma in athletes.

Methods: The utility of exposure models for understanding CTBI in boxers is examined and concerns regarding the paucity of findings supportive of an exposure model for CTBI in football players are discussed.

Results And Conclusions: Recommendations for development of exposure models for sport-specific phenotypic characterizations of CTBI are presented.

Reliability of a cognitive endpoint for use in a multiple sclerosis pharmaceutical trial.

Objective: Determine reliability and basic psychometric properties of a composite cognitive endpoint, MS-COG, for monitoring change in cognitive function in MS drug trials.

Background: 50% of MS patients have cognitive impairment that impacts ability to work and quality of life. We selected neuropsychological tests based on sensitivity to MS cognitive impairment, availability of alternate forms, cross-cultural utility, and feasibility for multicenter trials, and assessed the reliability and validity of a composite endpoint, MS-COG.

Development and validation of a web-based screening tool for monitoring cognitive status.

Objectives: We acquired normative data for an Internet neurocognitive screening tool, the Cognitive Stability Index (CSI), and investigated its validity both for initial assessment and for detecting significant change.

Participants: Normative data on a nationally representative sample of 284 individuals aged 18 to 89. Validity data was obtained for outpatient groups of mild-to-moderate TBI, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), and Alzheimer's disease.