Evidence of anterior temporal atrophy in college-level soccer players.
OBJECTIVE
The burgeoning popularity of youth soccer in the United States has occurred with little discussion of the safety of soccer for young people. Several studies however, have suggested that repeated head blows that occur during soccer play may be associated with cognitive effects and neurologic sequelae. In this study, we employed newer imaging techniques to examine brain changes in younger soccer players. We hypothesized that soccer players would demonstrate evidence of neurologic injury consistent with multiple frontal head blows.


METHODS
High-resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained from groups of college-level soccer players and nonplaying controls. Gray-matter density and volume were compared across groups, using voxel-based morphometry.


METHODS
Scans were performed in the Center for Imaging Research of the University of Cincinnati.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from the local community and were screened for psychiatric and medical illnesses as well as contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging participation.


METHODS
Differences in gray-matter density and volume.


RESULTS
Soccer players showed decreased gray-matter density and volume in portions of the anterior temporal cortex bilaterally (BA 38).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest the presence of neurologic sequelae of soccer play, even in college-level players. Although more study is necessary, these findings suggest that further safety equipment may be warranted, particularly for younger players.
Adams
John
J
Division of Bipolar Disorders Research, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0559, USA.
Adler
Caleb M
CM
Jarvis
Kelly
K
DelBello
Melissa P
MP
Strakowski
Stephen M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio; D012916:Soccer; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology*