Sex differences on tau, astrocytic, and neurodegenerative plasma biomarkers.

BackgroundSex differences have consistently been identified on autopsy, neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid outcomes related to Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the exact mechanisms for these associations are unclear. Blood-based biomarkers are practical alternatives for the investigation of mechanisms of AD, in addition to accurate disease detection and monitoring.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine sex differences across a panel of blood-based plasma biomarkers in participants with and without cognitive impairment due to AD.

Duration of Ice Hockey Play and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Importance: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative tauopathy associated with repetitive head impacts (RHIs). Prior research suggests a dose-response association between American football play duration and CTE risk and severity, but this association has not been studied for ice hockey.

Objective: To investigate associations of duration of ice hockey play with CTE diagnosis and severity, functional status, and dementia.