Abstract Details

Title Cutaneous Synucleinopathy in Former NFL Football Players

Topic Movement Disorders

Presentation(s) P3 - Poster Session 3 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 5-011

Objective To describe results of skin biopsy for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (P-SYN) in former NFL football players, as well as clinical presentation.

Background Contact sports including football have been identified as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease(PD), parkinsonism, dementia, chronic traumatic encephalopathy or motor neuron disease. Athletes who have engaged in contact sports have been reported to have misfolded alpha-synuclein in their CSF. A study among Spanish professional football players has shown presence of synucleinopathy tissue biomarkers in those with REM behavior disorder (RBD).

Design/Methods We did a retrospective chart review of all former NFL players who were seen at the Movement Disorders Center of Arizona from 2012-2024 who had skin biopsies for P-SYN. We reviewed demographic data, skin biopsies, DAT scans, motor UPDRS scores, and neuropsychological findings.

Results We identified 3 NFL players who were assessed for cognitive decline primarily, and who also had skin biopsy for P-SYN. All 3 manifested with RBD. Age of onset of cognitive decline was 42,43 and 59 (mean=48yrs). Age at time of biopsy was 47, 51 and 60 (mean=52.7yrs). Neuropsychological testing revealed dementia from CTE in 1/3, and mild cognitive impairment in 2/3. The demented individual also had fluctuating parkinsonism with motor UPDRS ranging from 14-22, and was assessed to have psychogenic parkinsonism; his DAT scan was normal and skin biopsy was negative. The other 2 had no extrapyramidal symptoms with motor UPDRS=2 each, with one being P-SYN(+) in the neck only and the other in distal leg only. Both P-SYN(+) asymptomatic patients had abnormal DAT scans.

Conclusions Former NFL players may be more prone to developing a synucleinopathy. Skin biopsy may be used to determine risk for developing PD among previous NFL players. It may also help identify players with psychogenic parkinsonism. A larger study of cutaneous testing for P-SYN among former NFL players is needed.

Authors/Disclosures
Virgilio Gerald H. Evidente, MD, FAAN (Movement Disorders Center of Arizona) PRESENTER	Dr. Evidente has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Revance. Dr. Evidente has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Abbvie. Dr. Evidente has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Teva. Dr. Evidente has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Medtronic. Dr. Evidente has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Neurocrine. Dr. Evidente has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Amneal. Dr. Evidente has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Abbvie. The institution of Dr. Evidente has received research support from CND. The institution of Dr. Evidente has received research support from Aeon. The institution of Dr. Evidente has received research support from Bukwang Pharmaceuticals. The institution of Dr. Evidente has received research support from Jazz Pharmaceuticals. The institution of Dr. Evidente has received research support from Scion Neurostim. The institution of Dr. Evidente has received research support from Theravance Biopharma. Dr. Evidente has received research support from Cerevance. Dr. Evidente has received research support from Ipsen.
Rebecca Johnson, Research Coordinator and MA	Miss Johnson has nothing to disclose.
Danica Evidente	Danica Evidente has nothing to disclose.
Shiza Rehman, BS	No disclosure on file

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