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University of Pittsburgh Brain Health Initiative

Prevalence of Brain Health Versus Neurodegeneration in Former Professional Football Players

Who can join

Ages 29 to 59 · Men · Healthy volunteers welcome

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 in each season
3. Fluent in English (translations are not available/validated for most neuropsychological 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 most neuropsychological tests)

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 neurological disorder that would interfere with testing, in the opinion of the primary investigator.
2. Contraindication to MR imaging, such as ferrous metal, pacemakers, or concerns about claustrophobia

About the study

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.

What is being tested

• Cognitive/Neuropsychological Testing (diagnostic test)
• Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Testing (diagnostic test)
• Sleep Evaluation (diagnostic test)
• MRI, High-Resolution (diagnostic test)
• Health & Physical Exam (diagnostic test)
• Physical Function (diagnostic test)

Sponsor: David Okonkwo, MD, PhD · Participants: 300 · Started: Nov 18, 2019

Contact the study team

• Kathryn L Edelman, MS · Phone: 412-624-1077

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT04708613

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Concussion

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 3, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.