An Analysis of Psychosocial Risk and Protective Factors: Accelerated Cognitive Aging and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) Among Retired NFL & Former NCAA Football Players

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Project Summary/Abstract: Robert W. Turner II is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership at George Washington University (GW), and a Research Scientist in the Center on Health and Society at Duke University. The current proposal is for a one-year administrative supplement to his Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (1K01AG054762-01A1) from NIA for training and support that address gaps in his knowledge of biobehavioral factors underlying Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) related to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and accelerated cognitive aging. As a result of unforeseen issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Turner experienced significant disruption to his scientific and career development plan. In collaboration with his mentors he has developed a comprehensive training and research plan that will both fill in these knowledge gaps and prepare him for an independent research career. The overarching goal of his K01 is to gain expertise on the interrelationships between multiple measures of psychosocial and neurocognitive factors associated with AD dementia related to accelerated cognitive aging. To accomplish this goal, he proposes to continue working on three career development activities and three research aims that combines instruction with established scholars in survey research techniques; one-to-one individualized trainings with mentors; and finally, conducting of a “proof of concept study” from start to finish. The three research aims will enable him to integrate and apply knowledge gained through the proposed training activities by creating a more robust portrait of psychosocial protective and risk factors that may impact the long-term consequences of mTBI among men than previously possible. The approach used in this project will address; a) male vulnerabilities in predicting the impact of psychosocial factors on accelerated cognitive aging and b) how understandings of masculinity develop across and within groups in relationship to pain, injury, and brain health. By completing these aims, he will test important hypotheses and make substantial evidence-based contributions to describing the process of dementia related cognitive accelerated aging resulting from mTBI. This proposal is relevant to public health because it will explore innovative approaches to address functional, cognitive, and psychosocial vulnerabilities in concussed men, and may ultimately reduce the risk of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and Alzheimer’s disease resulting from concussions. It will also inform an R-series grant proposal to study mTBI related accelerated cognitive aging and brain imaging that Dr. Turner plans to submit in the final year of the project.