title: Impact of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on olfactory functions of female concussed athletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Concussions exert persistent effects on asymptomatic athletes, especially women. Among chief mechanisms of concussion recovery are alterations of neuronal plasticity. Olfactory function, often impaired following a concussion, greatly involves plasticity and, therefore, appears as a good candidate to study the deleterious effects of concussions. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (BDNFMet), which reduces availability of BDNF in the brain, has surprisingly been associated with better recovery following concussion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the mediating effect of BDNFMet on olfactory functions in asymptomatic concussed female athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants, 105 female university athletes, were divided into four groups based on their history of concussion (Concussion/No concussion) and BDNF polymorphism (BDNF Val66Val/Val66Met). Odour threshold, discrimination and identification were measured using the Sniffin' Sticks Inventory Test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concussed female BDNFMet athletes performed significantly better than BDNFVal counterparts on threshold (F(1, 34) = 4.73, p < 0.05), discrimination (F(1, 52) = 5.36, p < 0.05), identification tests (F(1, 52) = 5.65, p < 0.05) and total olfactory scores (F(1, 34) = 9.54, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support a genotypic effect of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on long-term olfactory function following a concussion in young female athletes.
authors.affiliation: Montreal Sacred Heart Hospital Research Centre , Montreal, Quebec , Canada .
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Larson-Dupuis
authors.forename: Émilie
authors.initials: É
authors.lastname: Chamard
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Falardeau
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frasnelli
authors.forename: Christelle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beaulieu
authors.forename: Judes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poirier
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carrier
authors.forename: Maryse
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lassonde
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Théoret
authors.forename: Benoit-Antoine
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bacon
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Beaumont
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D057566:Self Report; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C579455:BDNF protein, human
keywords: Athletes; BDNF val66met; concussion; long-term effects; olfaction