A - 09 Association of Blood-Based Biomarkers With Concussion History, Contact Sport, and Oral Contraception in Female Athletes

Abstract Purpose Research has shown concussion and repetitive head impacts through contact sport exposure (CSE) may be associated with biomarkers of neurologic injury, but this work is primarily in retired male athletes. There is need to explore similar associations in female athletes, and whether oral contraceptives (OC), previously shown to be associated with elevated inflammatory markers in healthy females, impact these markers. This study examines associations of serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light (NfL), and tau with the number of prior concussions (#Cx), CSE, and OC use in female collegiate athletes. Method Collegiate female athletes (total N = 78; 30 OC users) enrolled in a larger cross-sectional study. Prior concussions (≥6 months prior) were retrospectively determined by semi-structured interviews using the 1993 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine definition. Biomarker concentrations were measured in serum using the Meso Scale Discovery platform. Primary models examined linear relationships between #Cx, years of CSE, and current OC use (yes/no). Secondary models examined associations of #Cx and CSE with each biomarker in OC users and non-users, separately. Results There were no significant associations of #Cx or CSE with any biomarker assessed (ps > 0.10). OC use was associated with lower levels of tau (B = -0.45(0.18), 95% CI = [−0.82, −0.08], t = −2.45 p = 0.017). No significant associations were seen in secondary models. Conclusions This study finds no evidence of an association of #Cx or CSE with blood-based biomarkers commonly associated with brain injury. Peripheral tau levels were impacted by OC use, highlighting the need to consider OC use when assessing blood-based biomarkers in female athletes.