University of Pittsburgh Brain Health Initiative

Last updated: June 12, 2025
Sponsor: David Okonkwo, MD, PhD
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Memory Loss

Traumatic Brain Injury

Neurologic Disorders

Treatment

Cognitive/Neuropsychological Testing

PET brain imaging

Applanation Tonometry

Clinical Study ID

NCT04708613
Brain Health Initiative
  • Ages 29-59
  • Male
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

This project will define the prevalence of brain health (i.e., normal cognitive, neuromotor, behavioral function) in living professional football retirees and group-matched controls through a comprehensive assessment of clinical, neuroimaging, and biomarker measures.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion criteria:

Former professional football player/exposed group:

  1. Professional football retiree aged 29-59

  2. Played a minimum of 3 professional football seasons, with a minimum of 3 games ineach season

  3. Fluent in English (translations are not available/validated for mostneuropsychological tests)

Control/unexposed group:

  1. Age 29-59 male

  2. High school education or beyond

  3. Fluent in English (translations are not available/validated for mostneuropsychological tests)

Exclusion

Exclusion criteria:

Control/unexposed group:

  1. Played organized football beyond high school

  2. History of severe TBI

  3. Current unstable cardiovascular disorder

For both groups:

  1. Prior history of psychosis (such as schizophrenia), or other major neurologicaldisorder that would interfere with testing, in the opinion of the primaryinvestigator.

  2. Contraindication to MR imaging, such as ferrous metal, pacemakers, or concerns aboutclaustrophobia

Study Design

Total Participants: 300
Treatment Group(s): 11
Primary Treatment: Cognitive/Neuropsychological Testing
Phase:
Study Start date:
November 18, 2019
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2026

Connect with a study center

  • University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurosurgery

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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