This cross-sectional analysis associates inflammation with cognitive decline in former elite football players, suggesting a potential target for intervention.
In former elite football players, elevated plasma and CSF inflammatory markers were associated with poorer limbic WM microstructure, which in turn related to worse cognition. Given the limbic system's role in cognition and behavior, inflammation may be a modifiable target for RHI-related neurodegeneration. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and limited generalizability to other contact sports, lower levels of play, female athletes, or other RHI sources.
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Emanuel et al. (2026) studied this question.
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