Tau protein and concussion

Concussion: tau protein to predict recovery time in athletes

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found that the level of a protein in the blood is a clinical biomarker to better identify athletes who need more rest time after a concussion.

Despite the millions of concussions that occur each year, there is no reliable diagnostic test to predict how well an athlete will heal and how well he or she can return to training safely. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found a way to remedy this by measuring the level of a protein in the blood, the tau protein.

A simple blood test that could establish an impartial diagnosis to help athletes and doctors know the right time to resume training, and avoid the risk of new neurological injuries. Researchers have indeed found that this tau protein present in the blood constitutes a reliable clinical biomarker to better identify athletes who need more recovery time.

"Avoiding athletes from the long-term consequences of a concussion is important to players, coaches, parents and fans. In the future, this research could help develop a reliable and rapid clinical laboratory test that can identify those at higher risk for chronic post-concussion symptoms, "says Professor Patricia A. Grady.

Repercussions if the rest is not long enough

Concussion is a mild head trauma that occurs when the brain "taps" against the walls of the headbox due to shock or impact to the head (fall, car accident). Following this event which requires immediate medical consultation, it is recommended to take several days of rest to allow the brain time to recover.

In addition to temporary loss of consciousness, patients experience short-term symptoms (memory problems, nausea or dizziness) that eventually go away. But long-term repercussions can occur if the patient, especially an athlete, activates before full recovery: headaches, dizziness and cognitive deficits.

"About half of college athletes have their post-concussion symptoms resolved within 10 days, but for the rest, these symptoms become chronic," say the researchers.

"Reducing neurological risks"

They were interested in the tau protein, known for its link with the development of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease because it is a marker for neuronal damage. They assessed changes in the level of this protein following a sports-related concussion in male and female athletes, to determine if a high level meant that longer recovery was needed.

"Incorporating objective biomarkers like tau into return-to-play decisions may ultimately reduce the neurological risks of multiple concussions in athletes," said lead study author Dr. Jessica Gill.

Predicting the severity of the case six hours after the concussion

This called on a group of 632 athletes from several sports (football, basketball, hockey). Athletes were first subjected to blood sampling and cognitive tests before their match season. Then during this entire period, they were followed for any concussion diagnosis, of which 43 were identified. For comparison, a control group of 37 athletes with no concussion was also included in the study, as well as a group of 21 healthy non-athletes.

Following this head trauma, the blood of an athlete who was the victim and of a witness athlete was drawn 6 hours, 24 hours and 72 hours after it. The results of the study showed that athletes who needed a longer recovery time before becoming active again (more than ten days after the incident) had higher tau protein concentrations throughout this period.

In comparison, athletes who were able to return to play within ten days or less after their concussion had a lower level. Study findings indicate that being able to measure tau protein changes in such a short time after a concussion provides objective clinical information to help athletes and their doctors predict how long it will take to recover necessary.

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Author:
Alexandra Bresson
Published on 19.01.2017
URL source: http://www.santemagazine.fr/actualite-commotion-cerebrale-la-proteine-tau-pour-predire-le-temps-de-convalescence-chez-les-sportifs-76874.html

Article posté le 28/01/2017