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Objective: Former National Football League (NFL) players’ working knowledge of concussion has not yet been evaluated, despite this population being a major clinical research target due to the association between repetitive head impacts (RHI) and long-term clinical impairments. This study examined former NFL players’ understanding of the current concussion definition, and the association between number of concussions with clinical function. Methods: 95 former NFL players (mean age = 55.29; mean NFL year = 8.10) self-reported number of concussions before being provided with a concussion definition and after being read a modern definition of concussion. Subjects reported number of concussions with loss of consciousness (LOC). Principal Component Analysis of a battery of tests generated behaviour/mood, psychomotor speed/executive function, and verbal and visual memory factor scores. Results: Post-definition number of concussions (median = 50) was five times the pre-definition (median = 10;p< 0.001). Greater pre- (p= 0.019) and post-definition concussions (p= 0.036) correlated with worse behaviour/mood scores, after controlling for years of football played, with specific effects for depressive symptoms and impulsivity. LOC did not account for variance beyond number of concussions. Conclusions: Practitioners and clinical researchers should provide a definition of concussion in the assessment of concussion history in former football players to facilitate accuracy and standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Obesity-associated cognitive impairments may be partially reversible through bariatric surgery. Depression, a prevalent comorbidity in bariatric surgery candidates, is linked with cognitive impairment and poorer surgical outcomes in other populations. No study has examined the effects of pre-operative depression on cognitive changes in bariatric surgery patients. Sixty-seven bariatric surgery patients completed a computerized cognitive test battery prior to surgery and 12 months post-operatively. The structured clinical interview for the DSM-IV Axis I disorders assessed major depressive disorder (MDD). Pre-surgery history of MDD was found in 47.8% of patients, but was not associated with greater baseline cognitive impairments. Repeated measures revealed improved cognitive abilities 12 months after surgery. Pre-surgery history of MDD did not influence post-operative cognitive function. Pre-operative history of MDD did not limit post-operative cognitive improvements. Larger studies with extended follow-ups are needed to clarify our findings and identify factors (e.g. older age) that may modify cognitive changes following surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment is common in heart failure patients. Poor dietary habits are associated with reduced neurocognitive function in other medical populations, including diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. This study examined whether dietary habits help moderate the relationship between heart failure severity and cognitive function. A total of 152 persons with heart failure completed neuropsychological testing and a fitness assessment. Dietary habits were assessed using the Starting the Conversation-Diet questionnaire, a nutrition measure suggested for use in primary care settings. Moderation analyses showed that better dietary habits attenuated the adverse impact of heart failure severity on frontal functioning (b = 1.28, p < 0.05). Follow-up analyses revealed consumption of foods high in sodium was associated with reduced cognitive function (p < 0.05). This study suggests dietary habits can moderate the association between heart failure and performance on tests of attention and executive function. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and clarify the mechanisms for our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: Sports-related concussions are associated with both acute and long-term consequences. Past work has identified novel risk factors and modifiers for concussions, including mood and neuropsychiatric disorders. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that may also contribute to concussion risk, although no study has examined this possibility. Methods: One hundred and thirty-nine NCAA Division-I athletes at Kent State University (KSU) self-reported a history of prior concussion and diagnostic history of ADHD as part of a larger concussion management programme at KSU. Results: ADHD was prevalent (10.1%) and 18.0% of the sample reported a prior history of at least one concussion injury. 50.4% of athletes with ADHD reported a history of at least one prior concussion vs 14.4% of athletes without ADHD, which represented a significant difference ( p < 0.01). Analyses showed that athletes with ADHD were more likely to report a past history of concussions than those without ADHD ( F (1,133) = 4.31, p = 0.04). Conclusion: ADHD is prevalent in NCAA Division-I athletes and associated with history of past concussions. If replicated, these findings could have important implications in the prevention and management of concussions in athletes with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]