The Role of Hypoxia on Subconcussive Head Impacts

The purpose of the pilot study is to observe preliminary trends in neural response to subconcussive head impacts in hypoxic condition. This work will provide a critical un-tested knowledge regarding the combined effects of subconcussion and hypoxic condition (mimicking high altitude), which will be used in our upcoming grant proposal to the Department of Defense (DoD). Military personnel, particularly those who are deployed to Afghanistan, are constantly subjected to hypoxic condition, given that the majority of military land operations in Afghanistan occur at 2000-3000 meters (6500-10,000 feet). This level of altitude does not elicit major side effects, yet neural functions may experience some degree of perturbation (i.e., slowed reaction time, altered night vision). Concurrently, these military personnel, who operate at high altitudes, often incur subconcussive forces to the head. These subconcussive head impacts can be induced by exposure to, for example, flash-bang grenades, artillery fire, recoilless rifle, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and head collision. The combined effects of these two stressors have the potential to attenuate one's readiness, operational efficiency, and overall brain function, but the combined effects have never been studied to date. As a result, one of four study topics that the Defense Centers of Excellence deems urgent is: Document the effects of altitude exposure on mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and blast-induced neurotrauma (BINT). To answer the question, we hypothesized that there will be an exponential worsening in neurocognitive function and in ocular-motor system functioning, and increased plasma expression of brain-derived biomarkers, after subconcussive head impacts under hypoxic conditions.

Inclusion criteria

• Between 18 and 26 years old
• Current or former soccer player (i.e., collegiate, intramural, club, professional)
• At least 3 years of soccer heading experience
• Participants can read and speak English
• Participants have cell phone or computer with internet access to schedule for follow-up visits via email or text message
• Participant is willing to refrain from participating in any sport activity that purposefully uses one's head to maneuver (American football, ice-hockey, rugby, wrestling, and soccer heading) during study participation

Exclusion criteria

• Any head, neck, or face injury in the 1 year prior to the study (e.g., concussion, eye injury)
• History of vestibular, ocular, or vision dysfunction (e.g., macular degeneration)
• Currently taking any medications that trigger drowsiness
• Pregnancy
• Any history of neurological disorders (e.g., seizure disorders, closed head injuries with loss of consciousness greater than 15 minutes, CNS neoplasm, spinal cord injury/surgery, history of stroke)
• Lower extremity injury that would prohibit normal walking
• Metal implants in the head

Conditional Exclusion Criteria

Based on participants' self report: those who meet any of the following criteria, he/she will be either excluded or rescheduled (if they still wish to participate in the study):

• Slept less than 4 hours during the night prior to the testing day
• Consumed more than 3 alcoholic drinks within 24h prior to testing
• Used recreational drugs 24h prior to the testing day
• Consumed more than 300 mg of caffeine (the equivalent of about 3 cups of coffee) within 1h before testing sessions