NFL-LONG Study: Improving life beyond the game | Findings

Brett BL, Aggarwal NT, Chandran A, Kerr ZY, Walton SR, DeFreese JD, Guskiewicz KM, Echemendia RJ, Meehan III WP, McCrea M A, Mannix R. Incorporation of concussion history as part of the LIfestyle for BRAin Health (LIBRA) modifiable factors risk score and associations with cognition in older former National Football League players. Alzheimer’s Dement. 2023;1-11. doi:10.1002/alz.12929

The most prevalent LIBRA risk factors in this population of former NFL Players included hypertension, obesity, poor quality diet, and physical inactivity.

• The LIfestyle of BRain Heath (LIBRA) is a cumulative score of modifiable risk factors for dementia.
• The collective consideration of multiple modifiable risk factors, including history of concussion (6 or more), was highly effective in classifying whether individuals had a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). 
• The 12 lifestyle dimensions of the LIBRA index represent 12 areas for change and intervention to potentially reduce risk of later life cognitive impairment.

Lang B, Kerr ZY, Chandran A, Walton SR, Mannix R, Lempke LB, DeFreese JD, Echemendia RJ, Guskiewicz KM, Meehan III WP, McCrea MA, Brett BL. The Longitudinal Relationship Between Concussion History, Years of American Football Participation, and Alcohol Use Among Former National Football League Players: an NFL-LONG Study. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. Published online August 22, 2023. doi:10.1093/arclin/acad059

Alcohol consumption (amount and frequency of use) was not influenced by concussion history (number of prior concussions) or years of football participation. 

• The lack of association between concussion history and years of football participation was — alcohol consumption patterns was stable over 19 years. 
• These results suggest that any associations between head injury history and neurobehavioral functioning in former football players is less likely due to alcohol use patterns specifically.

Walton SR, Kerr ZY, Mannix R, et al. Subjective Concerns Regarding the Effects of Sport-Related Concussion on Long-Term Brain Health Among Former NFL Players: An NFL-LONG Study. Sport Med. 2021;(0123456789). doi:10.1007/s40279-021-01589-5

• Many players reported that their concerns regarding memory, thinking skills, and development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are more prevalent now compared to when they were playing football. 
• Concussion history, racial identity, era of football play, years since leaving the NFL, and subjective reports of mood, physical functioning, and cognitive functioning all have unique relationships with brain health concerns. 
• Cognitive and mental health concerns can be targeted by clinical intervention.

Brett BL, Kerr ZY, Aggarwal NT, Chandran A, Mannix R, Walton S, DeFreese J, Echemendia RJ, Guskiewicz KM, McCrea MA, Meehan III WP. Cumulative Concussion and Odds of Stroke in Former National Football League Players. Stroke. 2021;(November). doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.035607

• The prevalence of stroke among former NFL players aged ≥50 years was lower than expected based on estimates from similar aged men in the general population.  
• The risk of stroke was significantly higher among those with 10 or more concussions when compared to those with no prior concussions. 
• These findings add to the evidence suggesting that traumatic brain injuries are associated with increased risk of stroke. 
• Management of cardio- and cerebrovascular health may be particularly important to those with a history of multiple prior concussions.

Brett BL, Walton SR, Kerr ZY, Nelson LD, Chandran A, Defreese JD, Echemendia RJ, Guskiewicz KM, Meehan Iii WP, McCrea MA. Distinct latent profiles based on neurobehavioural, physical and psychosocial functioning of former National Football League (NFL) players: an NFL-LONG Study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2021 Mar;92(3):282-290.

NFL-LONG researchers identified five distinct profiles of self-reported functioning in former NFL players.

1. global higher functioning (GHF)
2. average functioning (Average)
3. mild somatic (pain and physical functioning) concerns (Somatic)
4. somatic and cognitive difficulties with mild anxiety (SCA)
5. global impaired functioning (GIF)

Former players in groups 4 and 5 reported the highest levels of medical/psychiatric conditions and psychosocial stressor levels, as well self-reported more lifetime concussions.

Interestingly, total years of participation was not significantly associated with group, although group 1, those with higher global functioning, reported the greatest total years of tackle football played.

Walton SR, Kerr ZY, Brett BL, Chandran A, DeFreese JD, Smith-Ryan AE, Stoner L, Echemendia RJ, McCrea M, Meehan III WP, Guskiewicz KM. Health-promoting behaviours and concussion history are associated with cognitive function, mood-related symptoms and emotional-behavioural dyscontrol in former NFL players: an NFL-LONG Study. Br J Sports Med. 2021 Jun;55(12):683-690

Former NFL players who reported a higher number of lifetime sports related concussion were shown to have worse cognitive function, more depression and anxiety symptoms, and emotional-behavioral dyscontrol.

It was identified that several behaviors that were related to better functioning:

1. frequent exercise
2. sleep six or more hours per night
3. better diet quality

Walton SR, Brett BL, Chandran A, et al. Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Reported by Former Professional Football Players over 50 Years of Age: An NFL-LONG Study [published online ahead of print, 2021 Sep 28]. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2021

Self-reported Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia prevalences were found to be higher in former NFL players than national estimates. Additionally, MCI and dementia were associated with numerous personal factors:

1. mood-related disorders
2. high number of self-reported concussions
3. recent pain intensity
4. diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety

Predictors of higher MCI and dementia prevalence may be modifiable and warrant consideration by clinicians and researchers as potential targets to mitigate the onset of these conditions.

Brett BL, Kerr ZY, Walton SR, et al. Longitudinal trajectory of depression symptom severity and the influence of concussion history and physical function over a 19-year period among former National Football League (NFL) players: an NFL-LONG Study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry Published Online First: 18 October 2021

• Concussion history, not years of participation, was associated with greater depressive symptom severity in former NFL players. However, researchers found that neither concussion history nor years of participation were predictive of changes over a 19-year period.
• Decline in physical function was a significant predictor of a steeper trajectory of increased depressive symptoms over time, independent of concussion effects.

Brett BL, Kerr ZY, Aggarwal NT, Chandran A, Mannix R, Walton S, DeFreese J, Echemendia RJ, Guskiewicz KM, McCrea MA, Meehan III WP. Cumulative Concussion and Odds of Stroke in Former National Football League Players. Stroke. 2021;(November). doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.035607

• The prevalence of stroke among former National Football League players aged ≥50 years was lower than the general population, with significantly increased risk among those with 10 or more prior concussions.
• Findings add to the evidence suggesting that traumatic brain injuries are associated with increased risk of stroke.
• Clinically, management of cardio- and cerebrovascular health may be pertinent to those with a history of multiple prior concussions.