These results suggest that college athletes with an APOE promoter G-219T TT genotype may be at increased risk for having a history of concussions, especially more severe concussions. Although there was some support for the possibility that the tau 53 polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of prior concussion (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 0.3 to 14.5), there was no support for an association with APOE genotypes. The results of this cross-sectional study support the need for a prospective study of genetic factors, such as APOE promoter polymorphisms, and the incidence of and sequelae from concussions in college athletes.

CC was associated with a three times greater concussion risk and 4 with a 40% lower risk.

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ObjectiveTo investigate associations ofAPOEandTaugene polymorphisms with sports-related acute concussions and baseline to post-concussion neuropsychological test score changes.DesignMulti-center prospective cohort study.SettingScholarship athletes at 21 universities and 4 high schools Participants: 3218 athletes playing football (70%) or soccer (23%).Assessment of Risk FactorsAPOE,APOEG-219T promoter (APOEProm),Tauexon 6 Ser53Pro (TauSer), andTauexon 6 Hist47Tyr (TauHis) genetic polymorphisms.Main Outcome Measurements(1) Acute concussions and (2) differences between baseline and 24–72 h post-concussion Headminder Neuropsychological Test Scores of Simple and Complex Reaction Time (SRT and CRT, respectively) and Processing Speed.ResultsThere were a total of 131 athletes with incident concussions and genetic data and neuropsychological test scores. There were no statistically significant differences in frequencies of acute concussions according to genotypes by χ2test. By t-test, the mean baseline to post-concussion neuropsychological changes were statistically significantly greater for CRT and SRT in those with the TauSer ‘TT’ genotype and for CRT in those with the APOEProm ‘TT’ genotype, and borderline significantly greater in those with the TauSer ‘TT’ genotype (p=0.09).ConclusionsThe statistically significantly worse mean baseline to post-concussion neuropsychological test scores in those with the APOEProm and TauSer polymorphisms suggests a possible genetic influence on post-concussion neurocognitive recovery. These preliminary findings provide no evidence for associations of the fourAPOEandTaugene polymorphisms investigated with acute concussions, although the small sample size and lack of control for confounders are limitations.AcknowledgementsGrant funding was provided through the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee for Safety Athletic Equipment) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) Foundations. The opinions expressed in this abstract are not those of NOCSAE or AMSSM.Competing interestsNone.

Analyses of the height variation of 16-year-old members of the British National Child Development Study revealed a number of biological and social variables which associated with stature. After multiple regression analyses only eight variables, namely social class, family size, tenure (owner occupied or one of several types of rented home), crowding status, number of children sleeping in the bed, region of the country, sex of child, and pubic hair rating, remained significant. The total variation explained by these biosocial variables was 37-5%.