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University of Pittsburgh Brain Health Initiative
Sponsor: David Okonkwo, MD, PhD
Summary
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.
Official title: Prevalence of Brain Health Versus Neurodegeneration in Former Professional Football Players
Key Details
Gender
MALE
Age Range
29 Years - 59 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
300
Start Date
2019-11-18
Completion Date
2026-12
Last Updated
2025-06-13
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Cognitive/Neuropsychological Testing
Comprehensive testing of cognitive function and brain health.
Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Testing
A series of tests and questionnaires that asses vestibular function, balance, ocular-motor coordination, and reflexes.
Sleep Evaluation
A full assessment of sleep health, including insomnia (duration, frequency, daytime consequences) and other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Overnight sleep study is included.
MRI, High-Resolution
A high-resolution MRI to provide qualitative and quantitative assessments of brain structure.
Health & Physical Exam
Participants will undergo an executive history and physical exam of all body systems.
Physical Function
These assessments will involve a series of tests and questionnaires that focus on physical function.
Blood Testing and Biomarker Analysis
A blood draw will be performed to measure standard clinical labs as part of a full history and physical, as well as additional analysis of biomarkers indicative of brain health. An optional lumbar puncture will be performed and CSF samples (20-30 mL) stored in the NCTC Biorepository until shipment to the CLIA-certified laboratory. Both CSF and blood samples will be analyzed for t-tau, p-tau, and Aβ42 and stored for future testing,
Applanation Tonometry
Hearth health is evaluated through testing of arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflections using a high fidelity applanation tonometer.
PET brain imaging
PET imaging of the brain using tau and amyloid ligands.
[C-11]6-OH-BTA-1
PET imaging of the brain using an amyloid ligand.
[F-18]AV-1451
PET imaging of the brain using a tau ligand.
Locations (1)
University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurosurgery
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States