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Biological changes found in rugby players who suffered multiple concussions

Researchers, led by academics from Durham University, looked for biomarkers in the blood Retired rugby players who have suffered multiple concussions have biological differences that may make them more prone to developing motor neurone disease (MND) and other conditions, scientists have said. Researchers discovered that players who have had five or more concussions during their careers have higher levels of certain proteins in their blood that are linked to conditions including MND and Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists hope the discovery could one day lead to a “toolkit” to monitor former players. The study comes after it emerged that former All Blacks player Norm Hewitt died aged 55 with MND. Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow died last month at the age of 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with the disease. The new research set out to examine differences in specific biomarkers between UK-based retired rugby players with a history of concussion and a group of athletes who had not suffered head trauma around seven years after they had retired from sport. Researchers, led by academics from Durham University, looked for biomarkers in the blood linked to MND, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Information on 30 retired male athletes – including both rugby league and rugby union players – who suffered more than five concussions during their careers was compared to data on 26 retired sportsmen who had no history of concussion. All of the sportsmen were taking part in the UK Rugby Health project. Significantly higher levels of specific proteins called serum t-tau and tau-p181, which play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s and MND, were found in the group who had suffered concussions compared to the healthy control group, according to the study, which has been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Rugby players who had been concussed in their career also had lower levels of a so-called retinoid transport protein called RBP-4, which plays a role in the development and functioning of the brain. Academics said that if blood can be tested and monitored for these specific proteins, it may be possible to diagnose athletes early for neurodegenerative diseases and provide early interventions. The researchers are trying to secure funding to carry out a follow up study with the players. Senior author on the study, Professor Paul Chazot, from Durham University’s department of biosciences, said: “The long-term effects of concussions on rugby players, football players, boxers as well as retired military personnel is a major concern, because of the link to neurodegenerative diseases. “This study gives us the beginnings of a biomarker toolbox to periodically monitor the brain health of retired contact sportspeople, particularly those with a history of concussion during their career. “It will also pave the way for the introduction of the necessary interventions to minimise the development of future neurodegenerative disease. We have a range of interventions currently in advanced stages of development.” Co-author, Dr Karen Hind, honorary fellow at the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing at Durham University, initiated the UK Rugby Health study. She added: “This is a crucial development in the field and we’re calling for sustained efforts to define the pathways leading to concussion-induced neurodegenerative diseases. “Thanks to the research team and all who took part in this important study. Despite the lack of external funding, the UK Rugby Health project continues to make significant contributions to the field.” Commenting on the study, former Welsh international rugby player Alix Popham, who has been diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy and early onset dementia, called for more to be done to protect rugby players. Popham, co-founder of charity Head For Change, said: “This is more evidence that big changes need to happen to protect current rugby players.” Jessica Lee, director of research at My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, added: “The Durham University study has identified potential biomarkers (measurable proteins in blood) elevated in rugby players who suffered concussions. “These results are preliminary, and the sample size is small, so it’s important to approach results with caution. However, it will be interesting, with further research, to understand if these biomarkers correlate with disease outcomes. “As part of our Catalysing a Cure research strategy, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation funds numerous research projects with the hope of identifying new targets for future MND treatments – including the investigation of links between sport and MND – and ongoing support from the public in funding this research is essential in our efforts to one day find a cure for this devastating disease.” Dr Amanda Heslegrave, senior research fellow at UCL’s UKDRI Fluid Biomarker Laboratory, said: “The long-term effects of repeated concussions like those that can be suffered during a sporting career are an area of important research for public health. “This paper aims to further this research by measuring proteins that are indicative of brain health or injury in blood in retired sportsmen who suffered repeated concussions during their career. “The sample sizes here are very small – and made smaller when you look at the sub analyses so I do think we need to exercise caution when interpreting results and I would want to see a much bigger study before I would want to draw any conclusions.” Published: 17/07/2024 by Radio NewsHub

Labour to take brakes off Britain with first Kings Speech

As many as 35 bills and draft bills are set to be announced Labour will “take the brakes off Britain” when it unveils its first King’s Speech on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The new Government is set to present a “packed” legislative agenda focused on improving living standards by driving economic growth, the first of the Prime Minister’s five “missions for national renewal”. The address – the first Speech from the Throne under a Labour government for 14 years – is expected to contain more than 35 Bills and draft Bills with an emphasis on improving transport, creating jobs and accelerating the building of houses and infrastructure as Labour seeks to escape Britain’s recent cycle of low growth. Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s State Opening of Parliament, the Prime Minister said; “Now is the time to take the brakes off Britain. “For too long people have been held back, their paths determined by where they came from, not their talents and hard work. “I am determined to create wealth for people up and down the country. It is the only way our country can progress, and my Government is focused on supporting that aspiration.” Speaking to the Cabinet on Tuesday morning, Commons Leader Lucy Powell said the speech represented “a packed legislative agenda and the Government’s determination to return politics to public service”. With more than 35 Bills expected, Wednesday’s speech will be one of the chunkiest in recent history, second only to 2022 when the Government put forward 38 Bills including several that were carried over from the previous year. The last time there was a change of government, in 2022, the new administration put forward only 22 Bills. One of the measures expected in Wednesday’s speech is a commitment to major planning reform to address what Labour sees as a major block to building both houses and vital national infrastructure. The Bill is likely to involve streamlining the planning process and reintroducing mandatory housing targets, as well as facilitating building on the “grey belt” – green belt land that has previously been developed. Other Bills expected in the speech include new laws to renationalise the railways by 2029 under a new public body, Great British Railways. Most existing railway contracts are set to expire by the end of 2025, and while some extend into the 2030s, senior Labour sources suggested the Government could take advantage of break clauses to bring services back into public ownership sooner. Local authorities will receive more powers over bus routes and the ability to set up their own bus companies once again under the terms of a proposed Better Buses Bill. An English Devolution Bill, transferring more power away from Westminster, the creation of a national wealth fund, and a boost for workers’ rights through Labour’s “new deal for working people” are also likely to feature. Sir Keir said: “Today’s new laws will take back control and lay the foundations of real change that this country is crying out for, creating wealth in every community and making people better off – supporting their ambitions, hopes and dreams.” Other measures could include the reintroduction of Rishi Sunak’s proposed ban on anyone born after 2009 buying tobacco, measures to help renationalise the railways and a new, strengthened version of the Renters Reform Bill that sought to end no-fault evictions. There will also be new legislation on spending rules, giving more power to the Office of Budget Responsibility following the economic turmoil triggered by Liz Truss’s mini-budget in 2022. Speaking ahead of the King’s Speech, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for fixing the NHS and social care to be made a priority in Labour’s programme. He said: “Years of chaos under the Conservatives have left us with a stagnant economy and health services in a state of crisis. “Millions of people are stuck on NHS waiting lists and struggling to get the care they need to return to work. “Fixing the NHS and care would put rocket boosters under economic growth in our country.” Meanwhile, SNP leader Stephen Flynn urged Labour to include scrapping the two-child benefit cap in its plans. Describing the decision as “an important litmus test” for the Government, he said: “People in Scotland voted for significant and substantial change at Westminster – and that promise must now be honoured, not broken, by the Labour Government.” The King will deliver the speech, the second of his reign, at around 11.30am on Wednesday. Published: 17/07/2024 by Radio NewsHub

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