Neuroimaging changes in the brain in Contact vs. Non-contact sport athletes using Diffusion Tensor Imaging

摘要

ObjectiveTraumatic brain injury in contact sports has significant impact on short term neurological and neurosurgical function as well as longer term cognitive disability. In this study, we aim to demonstrate that contact sport participants exhibit differences in Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) caused by repeated physical impact on the brain. We also aim to determine that impact incurred by the contact sports athletes during the season may result in differences between the pre- and post-season DTI scans.