A - 58 Relationship between Cognitive Impairment Concern and Current Cognitive Functioning in Older Former College Athletes

• Published in: Archives of clinical neuropsychology 2024-10, Vol.39 (7), p.1311-1311
• Main Authors: Shurtz, L, Bunt, S C, Didehbani, N, Schaffert, J, LoBue, C, Cullum, C M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1873-5843; 1873-5843
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acae052.58

Abstract Purpose Concerns regarding cognitive decline due to history of concussions/head injury are common among former athletes, especially as long-term effects of head injury have gained widespread media attention. Examining the association of these concerns with current cognitive functioning may prove beneficial for understanding the prominence of these concerns. This study investigated whether concerns for cognitive problems due to prior concussions/head injury might relate to current cognitive functioning in former college athletes. Method Former college athletes aged 50–87 (N = 597, 44.22% female) from the College Level Aging Athlete Study (CLEAATS) completed the Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI) and the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified (TICS-m). Self-reported concern regarding contribution of history of concussions and/or head impacts to the development of “permanent memory or thinking problems”was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Two multiple linear regressions investigated whether reported concern predicted subjective (CFI) and objective (TICS-m) cognitive functioning, with adjustment for age, gender, education, and mood/anxiety symptoms. Results Overall models CFI [F(6,590) = 69.78, R2 = 0.42, p