University of Pittsburgh Brain Health Initiative

Description

This project will define the prevalence of brain health (i.e., normal cognitive, neuromotor, behavioral function) in living professional football retirees and group-matched controls through a comprehensive assessment of clinical, neuroimaging, and biomarker measures.

Conditions

Traumatic Brain Injury

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

This project will define the prevalence of brain health (i.e., normal cognitive, neuromotor, behavioral function) in living professional football retirees and group-matched controls through a comprehensive assessment of clinical, neuroimaging, and biomarker measures.

Prevalence of Brain Health Versus Neurodegeneration in Former Professional Football Players

University of Pittsburgh Brain Health Initiative

Condition
Traumatic Brain Injury
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurosurgery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Professional football retiree aged 29-59
  • 2. Played a minimum of 3 professional football seasons, with a minimum of 3 games in each season
  • 3. Fluent in English (translations are not available/validated for most neuropsychological tests)
  • 1. Age 29-59 male
  • 2. High school education or beyond
  • 3. Fluent in English (translations are not available/validated for most neuropsychological tests)
  • 1. Played organized football beyond high school
  • 2. History of severe TBI
  • 3. Current unstable cardiovascular disorder
  • 1. Prior history of psychosis (such as schizophrenia), or other major neurological disorder that would interfere with testing, in the opinion of the primary investigator.
  • 2. Contraindication to MR imaging, such as ferrous metal, pacemakers, or concerns about claustrophobia

Ages Eligible for Study

29 Years to 59 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

David Okonkwo, MD, PhD,

David O Okonkwo, MD, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery

Study Record Dates

2025-12