Brain changes after repeated head impacts
Understanding the Neuroanatomical Abnormalities of Repetitive Head Impacts
This project looks for brain changes and early signs of CTE in former contact-sport athletes, especially ex-American football players.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249129 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team is studying former contact-sport athletes to understand how repeated head impacts affect the brain over time. They will use existing DIAGNOSE CTE data — including cognitive and behavioral testing, brain imaging, and blood or spinal fluid samples — to find patterns of regional brain shrinkage and tau-related markers. The researchers will compare people with different exposure histories and symptoms to find signals that line up with neuropathology seen after death. The goal is to find markers that could help clinicians recognize traumatic encephalopathy symptoms or probable CTE while someone is still alive.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are former contact- or collision-sport athletes, especially former American football players with a history of repetitive head impacts and cognitive or behavioral symptoms.
Not a fit: People without a history of repetitive head impacts or whose symptoms are clearly caused by other diagnosed brain diseases are unlikely to benefit from this specific effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to imaging or fluid tests that help diagnose CTE during life and guide earlier care or trials.
How similar studies have performed: Autopsy studies have firmly identified CTE pathology and recent imaging and fluid-biomarker work shows promise, but no validated in-life diagnostic test exists yet.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arciniega, Hector — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Arciniega, Hector
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.