Key result
A history of 5+ concussions was associated with greater subjective cognitive and depressive symptoms than 0-2 concussions, with concussion history and mood explaining 29% of subjective cognition variance.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to explore the relationship between concussion history and cognition and mood in former collegiate athletes in middle-to-later adulthood.
Does concussion history affect subjective and objective cognition and mood in former collegiate athletes?
Cross-Sectional (n=407)
Does concussion history affect subjective and objective cognition and mood in former collegiate athletes?
In former collegiate athletes, a history of 5 or more concussions is associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns and depressive symptoms, but not objective cognitive deficits, highlighting the importance of mood in evaluating cognitive complaints.
Should not yet change clinical screening practices for former athletes; leaves open whether self-reported collegiate.
Objective: This study explored the relationship between concussion history and cognition/mood in former collegiate athletes in middle-to-later adulthood. Method: 407 former collegiate athletes aged 50+ (M = 61.4; 62.7% male) participated in the College Level Aging AThlete Study (CLEAATS) and completed the Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI), 40-item Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-40), PHQ-8, GAD-7, and self-report questionnaires, including concussion history. Kruskal-Wallis tests assessed for differences among groups based on concussion history (0, 1–2, 3–4, 5+ concussions). Hierarchical multiple regressions including demographic factors as covariates examined relationships between concussion history, emotional symptoms, and subjective/objective cognition. Results: Participants with 5+ concussions reported significantly greater subjective cognitive concerns and depressive symptoms than other concussion groups, but no differences were found in objective cognition. Hierarchical regression revealed concussion history and emotional symptoms explained 29% and 15% of the variance in subjective and objective cognition, respectively. The number of concussions accounted for unique variance in subjective cognition but was not significantly associated when mood symptoms were added to the model. Neither diagnosed concussions nor emotional symptoms were associated with objective cognition. Conclusions: When accounting for concussion history, those with 5+ concussions reported greater subjective cognitive symptoms than those with 0–2 concussions, and greater depressive symptoms than those with 0 concussions. Concussion history was not significantly related to subjective cognition when compared to mood, and concussion history and mood symptoms were not associated with objective cognition. Results highlight the importance of considering mood symptoms when evaluating the relationship between concussion history and cognition in former athletes.
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Datoc et al. (2024) conducted a cross-sectional in Concussion history in former collegiate athletes (n=407). Concussion history (5+ concussions) vs. 0-2 concussions was evaluated on Subjective and objective cognition, and depressive symptoms. A history of 5+ concussions was associated with greater subjective cognitive and depressive symptoms than 0-2 concussions, with concussion history and mood explaining 29% of subjective cognition variance.
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