Impact of soccer practice on brain health and cognition

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the long-term effects of repeated minor head injuries on the brain and cognitive abilities of professional soccer players nearing the end of their careers. Using advanced MRI techniques, it aims to identify microstructural changes and cognitive impairments associated with traumatic chronic encephalopathy. The study compares these players to high-level athletes who have not experienced similar head trauma, focusing on various MRI metrics such as diffusion tensor imaging and cerebral volumetry. The goal is to better understand the neurological consequences of soccer practice over time.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

Exposed high-level athletes: professional soccer players at the end of their career (32- years old) playing in France Ligue 1 or 2 exposed to repeated mild head injuries with no history of severe head injury or cerebral lesion;

-High-level athletes not exposed to repeated mild head injuries: control group paired for age with professional soccer players, who have never regularly participated in sports exposing them to head injuries (notably rugby, basketball, handball, American football, hockey, combat sports, etc.) and who have no history of head injury, even mild. Professional tennis players or former players will be preferentially recruited.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Refusal to participate in the study;
* refusal to be informed of abnormalities on MRI
* Incapacity to give informed consent or under a legal protection order;
* History of cerebral concussion including the presence after head shock of one or more of the following signs or symptoms: a period of confusion or disorientation, a period of loss of consciousness of 30 minutes or less, post-traumatic amnesia not exceeding 24 hours
* History of severe head/brain injury;
* History of neurological or psychiatric disorder;
* Known cerebral abnormality diagnosed by an imaging exam (CT or MRI);
* History or regular or occasional consumption of drugs, unweaned active smoking or weaned for less than 1 year, excessive consumption of alcohol (\> 20 g alcohol per day, evaluated with the formula "degree of alcohol × volume in cl × 8/1000"), weaned or not.
* Usage of medication targeting the central nervous system in the 2 weeks preceding inclusion in the study;
* Prior history of severe hypertension, diabetes, chronic heart disease, progressive or disabling disease;
* Contraindication to MRI (claustrophobia, implanted material not compatible with MRI, refusal to be informed of abnormality discovered on MRI);

Where it's running

• Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg
  Strasbourg, France Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Stéphane KREMER, MD — Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg
• Study coordinator: Stéphane KREMER, MD
• Email: stephane.kremer@chru-strasbourg.fr
• Phone: 03 88 12 78 48

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.