Title
Reduced brain glutamine in female varsity rugby athletes after concussion and in non-concussed athletes after a season of play
Authors
Amy L. Schranz, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. 2 Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1151 Richmond Street North, Medical Sciences Building, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada.
Kathryn Y. Manning, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. 2 Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1151 Richmond Street North, Medical Sciences Building, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada.
Gregory A. Dekaban, Molecular Medicine Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. 4 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1151 Richmond Street North, Dental Sciences Building, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada.
Lisa Fischer, Department of Family Medicine and Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, The University of Western Ontario
Tatiana Jevremovic, Department of Family Medicine and Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, The University of Western Ontario
Kevin Blackney, Molecular Medicine Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. 4 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1151 Richmond Street North, Dental Sciences Building, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada.
Christy Barreira, Molecular Medicine Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario
Timothy J. Doherty, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Parkwood Institute, 550 Wellington Road, Hobbins Building, London, Ontario, N6C 0A7, Canada.
Douglas D. Fraser, Paediatrics Critical Care Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, Children's Hospital, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada.
Arthur Brown, Molecular Medicine Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario
Jeff Holmes, School of Occupational Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, 1201 Western Road, Elborn College, London, Ontario, N6A 1H1, Canada.
Ravi S. Menon, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. 2 Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1151 Richmond Street North, Medical Sciences Building, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada.
Robert Bartha, Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. 2 Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1151 Richmond Street North, Medical Sciences Building, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada.
Journal
Human Brain Mapping
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.23919
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to use non-invasive proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to monitor changes in prefrontal white matter metabolite levels and tissue microstructure in female rugby players with and without concussion (ages 18-23, n = 64). Evaluations including clinical tests and 3 T MRI were performed at the beginning of a season (in-season) and followed up at the end of the season (off-season). Concussed athletes were additionally evaluated 24-72 hr (n = 14), three months (n = 11), and six months (n = 8) post-concussion. Reduced glutamine at 24-72 hr and three months post-concussion, and reduced glutamine/creatine at three months post-concussion were observed. In non-concussed athletes (n = 46) both glutamine and glutamine/creatine were lower in the off-season compared to in-season. Within the MRS voxel, an increase in fractional anisotropy (FA) and decrease in radial diffusivity (RD) were also observed in the non-concussed athletes, and correlated with changes in glutamine and glutamine/creatine. Decreases in glutamine and glutamine/creatine suggest reduced oxidative metabolism. Changes in FA and RD may indicate neuroinflammation or re-myelination. The observed changes did not correlate with clinical test scores suggesting these imaging metrics may be more sensitive to brain injury and could aid in assessing recovery of brain injury from concussion.
