Information about project titled 'Changes in circulating microRNAs following head impacts in football'
Changes in circulating microRNAs following head impacts in football
| Details about the project - category | Details about the project - value |
|---|---|
| Project status: | Ongoing |
| Project manager: | Stian Bahr Sandmo |
| Supervisor(s): | Roald Bahr, Inga Katharina Koerte, Thor Einar Andersen |
| Coworker(s): | Katarina Matyasova, Peter Filipcik, Martin Cente, Ofer Pasternak, Truls Straume Næsheim, Igor Jurisica |
Description
Background: MicroRNAs in blood are promising candidates as biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring traumatic brain injury (TBI). This also extends to repetitive head impacts in contact sports. Consequently, microRNAs could provide important insights into the potential neurological effects of headers and head injuries in football.
Aim: To explore the short-term effects of accidental head impacts and repetitive headers on circulating microRNAs, accounting for the effects of high-intensity exercise alone.
Methods: The prospective cohort study "Minor head trauma in football and serum levels of S100B" was completed at OSTRC in 2007. Here, serum levels of protein S100B in professional football players were evaluated after three different conditions: 1) accidental head impacts, 2) repetitive headers, and 3) high-intensity exercise. Blood samples from the study were stored, and have now been re-analyzed with respect to changes in circulating microRNAs. Deregulated microRNAs were then explored using bioinformatics to characterize their roles in biological pathways.
Results: Accidental head impacts led to deregulation of eight microRNAs that were unaffected by high-intensity exercise; their target genes were linked to 12 specific signaling pathways. Repetitive headers led to deregulation of six microRNAs that were unaffected by high-intensity exercise; target genes were linked to one specific signaling pathway (TGF β). High intensity exercise alone led to deregulation of seven microRNAs; target genes were linked to 30 signaling pathways.
Conclusion: We identified microRNAs specific to accidental head impacts and repetitive headers in football, potentially being useful as brain injury biomarkers. Moving forward, an increased understanding of microRNAs may contribute to their use as diagnostic and prognostic tools.