Multiple concussions in rugby players change proteins in their blood

This may make them more prone to developing diseases such as motor neurone disease (MND). 

This is what new research led by our bioscientists has found as part of the UK Rugby Health project. 

Early diagnosis 

It shows that it may be possible to measure specific key biomarkers. These biomarkers can indicate disease or predict possible future disease in the blood of athletes who have suffered multiple traumas to the head.  

If athletes’ blood can be tested and monitored for these specific proteins, it may be possible to diagnose them early for neurodegenerative diseases and provide early interventions.  

The research team strongly recommends monitoring of players of contact sports after they retire, especially if they have suffered concussions.  

Brain health 

The 30 retired male rugby players who took part had a substantial history of concussions during their playing career. Their blood samples contained more indication of neural damage compared to a control group of 26 fellow athletes who had not suffered head trauma.  

Researchers found abnormal levels of certain proteins in the players with concussions during their career, which play a crucial role in the development of Alzheimer’s and MND, compared to the healthy control group.   

They also found that the rugby players who had been concussed in their career had lower levels of a different so-called retinoid transport protein which is important for the development and functioning of the brain.  

Monitoring health 

In recent years, a lot of effort has been put into developing biomarkers in blood that could potentially help with early diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or motor neuron disease.  

This study may provide the beginnings of a biomarker toolbox to periodically monitor the brain health of retired contact sportspeople, particularly those with a history of concussion. 

It could also help to shape necessary interventions to minimise the development of future neurodegenerative disease. A range of interventions are currently in development at Durham University.    

However, as the interventions will need to be tested in clinical trials, the researchers stress that it could still be a few years before they could become available.   

The researchers are looking to secure urgent funding to carry out a follow up study with the retired players now. This will give a clearer idea of the current levels of the relevant proteins in the players’ blood including any changes, their current health status and potential health outcomes.  

Find out more 

• For more information, please contact Professor Paul Chazot via paul.chazot@durham.ac.uk. Support is available from MND Association or Alzheimer's Society.
• The research is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
• The study was led by Professor Paul Chazot and Dr Karen Hind at Durham University with contributions from research postgraduate, Norah Alanazi, and researchers at Curtin University (Australia), University of Western Australia (Australia), Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand) and University of Auckland (New Zealand).   
• Dr Karen Hind (Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing) initiated and led the UK Rugby Health Project which started in 2016. Dr Ian Entwistle (Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences) collected the physical and mental health data (previously published) and blood samples analysed in this present biomarker project. 
• Professor Chazot is part of Nevrargenics as an independent academic collaborator. Nevrargenics is a Durham University spin-out company specialising in the discovery and development of novel medicines based on retinoid modulators for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, motor neuron disease and other neurological and psychiatric diseases. 
• The study was internally funded by Durham University, Auckland University of Technology, and through a Saudi Arabian Scholarship Fund for Norah Alanazi.
• Playing rugby, among other sports, is a key part of our distinct student experience at Durham, from performance to college level. We are very conscious of the health and safety risks that come with playing a consistently high level of rugby, and our researchers will be working with our staff who are directly involved with the teams, including our Team Durham physio, to inform the prevention and management of injury. All our sports clubs are required to produce a risk assessment each year which in the case of contact sports will highlight the risks associated with playing. We provide our students with a training video on dealing with a concussion and we have protocols in place to support any student who suffers from a concussion, which includes liaising with their College and Academic Department. 

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