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Dallas, TX – A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center has revealed a surprising finding: former college athletes with a history of concussions are more likely to perceive themselves as cognitively impaired later in life if they suffer from mood disorders like depression and anxiety. This holds true even when objective cognitive tests show no actual decline in mental acuity.
The research, published in The Clinical Neuropsychologist, challenges the prevailing notion that concussions are the primary culprit behind cognitive issues in aging athletes. It emphasizes the crucial role of mental health in influencing an athlete’s perception of their cognitive abilities.
“Our findings suggest that concussion history may not be the major factor in long-term brain health for most former athletes,” stated senior author Dr. C. Munro Cullum, Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern. “Addressing depression in these individuals might be more beneficial than solely focusing on their concussion history.”
The study analyzed data from 407 former college athletes aged 50 and older. While athletes with multiple concussions reported higher levels of depression and more subjective cognitive complaints, objective tests did not show significant differences in cognitive function across concussion groups.
Statistical analysis confirmed that mood disorders, particularly depression and anxiety, were the strongest predictors of subjective cognitive complaints, regardless of concussion history.
“This study underscores the long-term risk of depression and mild cognitive impairment after concussions among former athletes,” said study co-author Dr. Jeffrey Schaffert.
The research also highlights the resilience of many former athletes. Despite subjective complaints, most exhibited good cognitive health. The study suggests that athletes experiencing depressive symptoms are more likely to perceive memory or attention difficulties, indicating a psychological rather than neurological basis for their concerns.
“This research emphasizes the critical role of mood symptoms in subjective cognitive concerns,” said Dr. Schaffert. “Prioritizing mental health assessment and intervention is crucial in managing long-term concussion effects in former athletes.”
Future research will delve deeper into other factors influencing brain health, including medical history, social determinants, and resilience. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the aging athlete population and develop improved approaches to address brain and mental health challenges.
