Investigating cognitive decline and dementia risks in former soccer and football players.
Risk for Later-Life Cognitive Impairment, Neurobehavioral Dysregulation, and Dementia in Former Soccer and American Football Players: The Head Impact and Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS)
This study is looking at how repeated head injuries from sports like soccer and football might affect brain health and thinking skills as athletes get older, and it’s for both male and female athletes who want to help us learn more about these long-term effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11045055 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research examines how repetitive head impacts from contact sports like soccer and American football may lead to cognitive decline and neurobehavioral issues later in life. By analyzing data from the Brain Health Registry, the study aims to identify risk factors and the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in both male and female athletes. The approach includes a longitudinal analysis to address previous limitations in research, such as small sample sizes and biases. Participants will provide valuable information that could help understand the long-term effects of head injuries in sports.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are former soccer and American football players, both male and female, who have experienced head impacts during their sports careers.
Not a fit: Patients who have not participated in contact sports or do not have a history of head impacts may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for cognitive decline and dementia in former athletes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the cognitive effects of head impacts in male athletes, but this study aims to expand knowledge to include female athletes and address existing gaps.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alosco, Michael — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Alosco, Michael
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.