07-13-2017, 06:44 AM
WIM, real nice summary of the issues surrounding risk of dementia related to concussions. For those who want some rather heavy mental lifting, here's a recent review paper on what is and isn't known about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the potential risk factors.
https://www.nature.com/labinvest/journal...01554a.pdf
In the case of Clark Yarbrough, I wonder if he underwent genetic testing to try to assess his risk of future cognitive problems. I read somewhere that individuals who are homozygous for the apoE-4 allele are 15 times more likely to develop dementia relative to those without that allele; some suggest that those with that genetic make-up should avoid sports with recurrent head impacts altogether. I also wonder if a pattern had emerged regarding his concussions, whereby lesser impacts were causing concussions, and his recovery was progressively slower with each one.
It's sad that he cannot continue to play a sport he loves, but from his posting and the responses of others, it sounds like he's got a very bright future ahead of him.
https://www.nature.com/labinvest/journal...01554a.pdf
In the case of Clark Yarbrough, I wonder if he underwent genetic testing to try to assess his risk of future cognitive problems. I read somewhere that individuals who are homozygous for the apoE-4 allele are 15 times more likely to develop dementia relative to those without that allele; some suggest that those with that genetic make-up should avoid sports with recurrent head impacts altogether. I also wonder if a pattern had emerged regarding his concussions, whereby lesser impacts were causing concussions, and his recovery was progressively slower with each one.
It's sad that he cannot continue to play a sport he loves, but from his posting and the responses of others, it sounds like he's got a very bright future ahead of him.