Administrative supplement to Exosome Biomarkers in concussion and Alzheimer's.

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

ABSTRACT Repeated concussions (mild Traumatic Brain Injury, mTBI), which are particularly prevalent in athletes and military personnel, can lead to long-term brain health issues including dementia, depression, and other psychiatric conditions. Recent studies suggest that mTBIs may give rise to increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other AD-related dementias (ADRDs), but there are few conclusive studies, and no reliable blood biomarkers available as a predictive diagnostic tool. We are studying a unique cohort of NCAA Division I athletes in high impact sports to develop a reliable blood biomarker assessment and examine biological mechanisms for AD/ADRD risk after multiple mTBIs. To our knowledge, studies have not been conducted using neuron- or astrocyte-derived exosomes (NDEs vs. ADEs) to detect Tau and amyloid pathology and seeding capacity from those with sports-related brain injuries. The overall hypothesis of this project is that exosome alterations after repeated mTBIs reflect and contribute to long-term risk for AD/ADRD. The hypothesis and the aims have not changed. This supplement application is necessary to accomplish the aims set forth in the parent application. The budget of the parent grant was significantly reduced due to our move from University of Denver to University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU). One of the many benefits of our move is that we have been gained access to additional blood samples from individuals with moderate to severe TBIs who are patients at the Intensive Care Unit of UC Health at a relatively low additional cost. When we started examining the samples obtained from the athlete mTBI cohort, we realized that we would need to include all levels of TBI severity to increase the rigor of the study. We have been added to the TBI IRB protocol that was in existence in our department (Neurosurgery) at CU. The addition of these samples will allow a more rigorous approach in the parent grant Aims. The Administrative Supplement will therefore allow the expansion of existing studies and access to valuable new sources for the biomarker study.