Traumatic brain injury and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia. Greater concussion history can potentially increase risk for cerebrovascular changes associated with cognitive decline and may compound effects of CVD. We investigated the independent and dynamic effects of CVD/risk factor burden and concussion history on cognitive function and odds of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnoses in older former National Football League (NFL) players.

Former NFL players, ages 50-70 (N=289; mean age=61.02±5.33 years), reported medical history and completed the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT). CVD/risk factor burden was characterized as ordinal (0-3+) based on the sum of the following conditions: coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, type-I and II diabetes. Cognitive outcomes included BTACT Executive Function and Episodic Memory Composite Z-scores (standardized on age- and education-based normative data), and the presence of physician diagnosed (self-reported) MCI. Concussion history was discretized into five groups: 0, 1-2, 3-5, 6-9, 10+. Linear and logistic regression models were fit to test independent and joint effects of concussion history and CVD burden on cognitive outcomes and odds of MCI. Race (dichotomized as White and Non-white due to sample distribution) was included in models as a covariate.

Greater CVD burden (unstandardized beta [standard error]; B=-0.10[0.42], p=.013, and race (B=0.622[0.09], p<.001), were associated with lower executive functioning. Compared to those with 0 prior concussions, no significant differences were observed for those with 1-2, 3-5, 6-9, or 10+ prior concussions (ps >.05). Race (B=0.61[.13], p<.001), but not concussion history or CVD burden, was associated with episodic memory. There was a trend for lower episodic memory scores among those with 10+ prior concussion compared to those with no prior concussions (B=-0.49[.25], p=.052). There were no significant differences in episodic memory among those with 1-2, 3-5, or 6-9 prior concussions compared to those with 0 prior concussions (ps>.05). CVD burden (B=0.35[.13], p=.008), race (greater odds in Non-white group; B=0.82[.29], p=.005), and greater concussion history (higher odds of diagnosis in 10+ group compared to those with 0 prior concussions; B=2.19[0.78], p<.005) were associated with higher odds of MCI diagnosis. Significant interaction effects between concussion history and CVD burden were not observed for any outcome (ps >.05).

Lower executive functioning and higher odds of MCI diagnosis were associated with higher CVD burden and race. Very high concussion history (10+) was selectively associated with higher odds of MCI diagnosis. Reduction of these modifiable factors may mitigate adverse outcomes in older contact sport athletes. In former athletes, consideration of CVD burden is particularly pertinent when assessing executive dysfunction, considered to be a common cognitive feature of traumatic encephalopathy syndrome, as designated by the recent diagnostic criteria. Further research should investigate the social and structural determinants contributing to racial disparities in long-term health outcomes within former NFL players.