Longitudinal Cognitive Performance and Cerebral Perfusion in High and Low-Contact Sport Athletes

Motivation: Head impact in contact sports is linked to long-term cognitive decline, but etiology and mechanism remain unclear. Goal(s): To define the relationship between longitudinal cognitive performance and cerebral blood flow associated with high-contact sports. Approach: We assessed longitudinal cerebral blood flow and cognitive performance in collegiate athletes using arterial spin labeling (ASL) and the ImPACT test. Results: Visual motor speed declined over time in high-contact athletes. Significant CBF-time interactions indicate decreasing occipital CBF and higher thalamic CBF are associated with declining visual motor speed. Visual and verbal memory decline and symptoms over time are associated with higher deep-gray CBF. Impact: This research provides critical insights into how cerebral blood flow patterns are associated with cognitive performance and symptom progression in high-contact athletes.