Oliver, JM;
Jones, MT;
Kirk, KM;
Gable, DA;
Repshas, JT;
Johnson, TA;
Andreasson, U;
... Zetterberg, H; + view all
(2016)
Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid on a Biomarker of Head Trauma in American Football.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
, 48
(6)
pp. 974-982.
10.1249/MSS.0000000000000875.
Preview |
Text
Zetterberg_Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid on a Biomarker of Head Trauma in American Football_AAM.pdf - Accepted Version Download (590kB) | Preview |
Abstract
PURPOSE: American football athletes are exposed to subconcussive impacts over the course of the season resulting in elevations in serum neurofilament light (NFL), a biomarker of axonal injury. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been reported to reduce axonal trauma associated with traumatic brain injury in rodent models. However, the optimal dose in American football athletes is unknown. This study examined the effect of differing doses of DHA on serum NFL over the course of a season of American football. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, 81 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I American football athletes were assigned to ingest either 2, 4, 6 g·d−1 of DHA or placebo. Blood was sampled at specific times over the course of 189 d, coincident with changes in intensity, hours of contact, and likely changes in head impacts. Standardized magnitude-based inference was used to define outcomes. RESULTS: DHA supplementation increased plasma DHA in a dose-dependent manner (2 g·d⁻¹: mean difference from baseline; ±90% CL; 2 g·d⁻¹: 1.3; ±0.6; 4 g·d⁻¹: 1.6; ±0.7%; 6 g·d⁻¹: 1.6; ±0.7%; 6 g·d⁻¹) versus nonstarters (1398 ± 581 pg·mL⁻¹; P = 0.024). Irrespective of dose, supplemental DHA likely attenuated serum NFL coincident with increases in serum NFL by likely small and moderate magnitude (effect size = 0.4–0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study, the first large-scale study examining potential prophylactic use of DHA in American football athletes, include identification of optimal dose of DHA, suggesting a neuroprotective effect of DHA supplementation.
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
