Genetic Factors That Could Affect Concussion Risk in Elite Rugby

Elite rugby league and union have some of the highest reported rates concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) in professional sport due part to their full-contact high-velocity collision-based nature. Currently, concussions are most commonly match injury during tackle for both ball carrier tackler (8–28 per 1000 player hours) reports exist reduced cognitive function long-term health consequences that can end a playing career produce continued ill health. Concussion is complex phenotype, influenced by environmental factors an individual’s genetic predisposition. This article reviews incidence within elite addresses biomechanics pathophysiology how predisposition may influence incidence, severity outcome. Associations been between variety variants injury. However, little effort has devoted study associations with players. Due growing understanding molecular characteristics underpinning concussion, investigating variation viable worthy proposition. Therefore, we propose from this review several or near candidate genes interest, namely APOE, MAPT, IL6R, COMT, SLC6A4, 5-HTTLPR, DRD2, DRD4, ANKK1, BDNF GRIN2A, warrant further other sports involving collisions.