Changes in resting‐state functional brain connectivity associated with head impacts over one men's semi‐professional soccer season. Issue 2 (21st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cassoudesalle, Hélène; Petit, Adrien; Chanraud, Sandra; Petit, Hervé; Badaut, Jérôme; Sibon, Igor; Dehail, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Journal of neuroscience research. Volume 99:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 446
• Page End: 454
• Publication Date: 2020-10-21
• Subjects: functional magnetic resonance imaging -- head impact -- resting‐state connectivity -- RRID:SCR_001622 -- RRID:SCR_007037 -- RRID:SCR_009550 -- soccer -- traumatic brain injury; Neurobiology -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24742
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-4012

Abstract

Abstract: Soccer, as a contact sport, exposes players to repetitive head impacts, especially through heading the ball. The question of a long‐term brain cumulative effect remains. Our objective was to determine whether exposure to head impacts over one soccer season was associated with changes in functional brain connectivity at rest, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this prospective cohort study, 10 semi‐professional men soccer players, aged 18–25 years, and 20 age‐matched men athletes without a concussion history and who do not practice any contact sport were recruited in Bordeaux (France). Exposure to head impacts per soccer player during competitive games over one season was measured using video analysis. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired for both groups at two times, before and after the season. With a seed‐based analysis, resting‐state networks that have been intimately associated with aspects of cognitive functioning were investigated. The results showed a mean head impacts of 42 (±33) per soccer player over the season, mainly intentional head‐to‐ball impacts and no concussion. No head impact was found among the other athletes. The number of head impacts between the two MRI acquisitions before and after the season was associated with increased connectivity within the default mode network and the cortico‐cerebellar network. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the brain functioning changes over one soccer season in association with exposure to repetitive head impacts. Abstract : Exposure to repetitive head impacts without concussion over one season of competitive men's soccer games was associated with increased resting‐state functional connectivity within networks involved in cognitive functions, analyzing a cohort including nine soccer players and 20 other athletes.