Factors influencing plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in adolescent sport participants

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is being explored as a biomarker for sport-related concussion (SRC). We aim to explore BDNF contextualized by demographic and sport-related factors in adolescent sport participants. This cross-sectional study nested in a multi-site Canadian cohort study recruits a sample of uninjured male (n = 60, 15.79 ± 1.17 years) and female (n = 60, 15.97 ± 1.36 years) adolescent sport participants.

We investigate plasma BDNF concentrations considering sex (M/F), age (years), concussion history (yes/no), bodyweight (kgs), height (m), BMI, menstrual cycle phase (follicular/luteal), and classification of sport participation (non-contact/contact/collision). Plasma BDNF was significantly higher for males (β = 0.176, 95% CI: 0.010, 0.342, p = 0.038). No association was found between plasma BDNF and concussion history (β= – 0.149, 95% CI – 0.323, 0.025, p = 0.093).

Age was positively associated with plasma BDNF in females (β = 0.089, 95% CI 0.002, 0.176, p = 0.044). Contact sport participants had significantly lower BDNF compared to non-contact sports participants (β= – 0.462, 95% CI – 0.830, – 0.093, p = 0.014). BDNF increased with height (β = 0.011, 95% CI – 0.001, 0.021, p = 0.028), but not bodyweight (β = 0.005, 95% CI – 0.001, 0.012, p = 0.119), BMI (β = 0.006, 95% CI – 0.017, 0.029, p = 0.062), or menstrual cycle phase (β= – 0.210, 95% CI – 0.470, 0.051, p = 0.114).

Overall, BDNF in adolescent sport participants was higher for males, increased with height, increased with age in females only, and was lower in contact sports. Future studies should consider participant characteristics and sport participation type when evaluating plasma BDNF as a biomarker for sport-related concussion. We acknowledge funding from the National Football League’s Play Smart Play Safe Program for the SHRed Concussions study (PI Dr.

Carolyn Emery), Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary (PI: Dr. Chantel Debert), Canada Foundation for Innovations (SHRed mobile research unit), and the Canada Research Chairs Program (PI: Carolyn Emery). Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Nikolas O.

Josafatow-García, Jason B. Penner, Jean-Michel Galarneau & Carolyn A Emery University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Nikolas O. Debert Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary, AB, Canada Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Nikolas O.