Repetitive headers and accidental head impacts in soccer are leading to changes in blood patterns, linked to brain signalling pathways and potential alterations — the latest study to assess potential dangers of heading in soccer shows.
In this first-of-its-kind new research, experts analysed blood samples from 89 professional soccer players in a range of scenarios, including match-play and training — which involved heading. They also took samples generated by other high-intensity exercise aside from heading.
Results, published in the peer-reviewed journal Brain Injury, demonstrate «specific alterations» in the levels of the brain’s microRNAs — which are being recognized as blood biomarkers, associated with signalling pathways suggestive of brain alterations.
Looking at accidental head impacts specifically; the experts found the microRNAs (biomarkers) affected links to several signalling pathways involved in brain activity. When assessing heading, the experts detected deregulation of other microRNAs — linked to yet another molecular signalling pathway. Importantly, these microRNAs were found to be unaffected by other high-intensity exercise.
Reporting on the findings, Stian Bahr Sandmo, of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, who led an international team of experts, says the research adds further knowledge to what we understand about head impacts in soccer.
«This is a relatively small sample-size exploratory study,» he says, «but, future findings expanding upon our research could ultimately lead to an improved understanding of the potential hazardous effects of repetitive head impacts. With millions of people playing soccer worldwide this might ultimately have a substantial influence on public health.»
MicroRNAs are small molecules found in our cells, that also circulate in different body fluids such as the blood (then referred to as «circulating microRNAs»). They help regulate gene expression — the process by which the instructions in our DNA are converted into a functional product, such as a protein. They are involved in many different physiological processes. Previous studies have suggested certain microRNAs in the blood are altered in response to mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). This has led to new research — such as this current study — to explore how, and if, microRNAs can be used as brain injury biomarkers. Until now, the effects of soccer-related head impacts on microRNAs have been largely unexplored.
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