Is Tau Important in the Prolonged Return to Play After Concussion?

Elevated tau may be a useful clinical tool to guide clinicians in the return-to-play decision after a concussion.

After sports-related concussion (SRC), the lack of objective biomarkers for brain damage hampers acute diagnosis and clinical decision making about return to play (RTP). The objective of this study was to determine whether SRC is associated with elevated plasma levels of tau and if tau level has any relation to RTP. The study was carried out between 2009 and 2014 and included 632 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) contact sport athletes. Prior to the sports season, participants underwent plasma sampling and cognitive testing and were followed for a diagnosis of SRC. SRC occurred in 46 athletes, from whom blood samples were taken for total tau measurements at 6 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days after SRC.

Compared with 21 non…

Reviewing Author

Jaime Toro, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

Jaime Toro, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

Is Tau Important in the Prolonged Return to Play After Concussion?

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Reviewing Author