University of Pittsburgh Brain Health Initiative

NCT ID: NCT04708613

Last Updated: 2025-06-13

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

300 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2019-11-18

Study Completion Date

2026-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

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.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Observational Model Type

CASE_CONTROL

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Former Professional Football Players

Former professional football players who played in at least 3 professional seasons, with at least 3 games each season.

Cognitive/Neuropsychological Testing

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Comprehensive testing of cognitive function and brain health.

Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Testing

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A series of tests and questionnaires that asses vestibular function, balance, ocular-motor coordination, and reflexes.

Sleep Evaluation

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A full assessment of sleep health, including insomnia (duration, frequency, daytime consequences) and other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Overnight sleep study is included.

MRI, High-Resolution

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A high-resolution MRI to provide qualitative and quantitative assessments of brain structure.

Health & Physical Exam

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants will undergo an executive history and physical exam of all body systems.

Physical Function

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

These assessments will involve a series of tests and questionnaires that focus on physical function.

Blood Testing and Biomarker Analysis

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A blood draw will be performed to measure standard clinical labs as part of a full history and physical, as well as additional analysis of biomarkers indicative of brain health.

An optional lumbar puncture will be performed and CSF samples (20-30 mL) stored in the NCTC Biorepository until shipment to the CLIA-certified laboratory.

Both CSF and blood samples will be analyzed for t-tau, p-tau, and Aβ42 and stored for future testing,

Applanation Tonometry

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Hearth health is evaluated through testing of arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflections using a high fidelity applanation tonometer.

PET brain imaging

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

PET imaging of the brain using tau and amyloid ligands.

[C-11]6-OH-BTA-1

Intervention Type DRUG

PET imaging of the brain using an amyloid ligand.

[F-18]AV-1451

Intervention Type DRUG

PET imaging of the brain using a tau ligand.

Control Groups

Friends and brothers of the Former Professional Football Player group.

Cognitive/Neuropsychological Testing

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Comprehensive testing of cognitive function and brain health.

Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Testing

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A series of tests and questionnaires that asses vestibular function, balance, ocular-motor coordination, and reflexes.

Sleep Evaluation

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A full assessment of sleep health, including insomnia (duration, frequency, daytime consequences) and other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Overnight sleep study is included.

MRI, High-Resolution

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A high-resolution MRI to provide qualitative and quantitative assessments of brain structure.

Health & Physical Exam

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants will undergo an executive history and physical exam of all body systems.

Physical Function

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

These assessments will involve a series of tests and questionnaires that focus on physical function.

Blood Testing and Biomarker Analysis

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A blood draw will be performed to measure standard clinical labs as part of a full history and physical, as well as additional analysis of biomarkers indicative of brain health.

An optional lumbar puncture will be performed and CSF samples (20-30 mL) stored in the NCTC Biorepository until shipment to the CLIA-certified laboratory.

Both CSF and blood samples will be analyzed for t-tau, p-tau, and Aβ42 and stored for future testing,

Applanation Tonometry

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Hearth health is evaluated through testing of arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflections using a high fidelity applanation tonometer.

PET brain imaging

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

PET imaging of the brain using tau and amyloid ligands.

[C-11]6-OH-BTA-1

Intervention Type DRUG

PET imaging of the brain using an amyloid ligand.

[F-18]AV-1451

Intervention Type DRUG

PET imaging of the brain using a tau ligand.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Cognitive/Neuropsychological Testing

Comprehensive testing of cognitive function and brain health.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Testing

A series of tests and questionnaires that asses vestibular function, balance, ocular-motor coordination, and reflexes.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Sleep Evaluation

A full assessment of sleep health, including insomnia (duration, frequency, daytime consequences) and other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Overnight sleep study is included.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

MRI, High-Resolution

A high-resolution MRI to provide qualitative and quantitative assessments of brain structure.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Health & Physical Exam

Participants will undergo an executive history and physical exam of all body systems.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Physical Function

These assessments will involve a series of tests and questionnaires that focus on physical function.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Blood Testing and Biomarker Analysis

A blood draw will be performed to measure standard clinical labs as part of a full history and physical, as well as additional analysis of biomarkers indicative of brain health.

An optional lumbar puncture will be performed and CSF samples (20-30 mL) stored in the NCTC Biorepository until shipment to the CLIA-certified laboratory.

Both CSF and blood samples will be analyzed for t-tau, p-tau, and Aβ42 and stored for future testing,

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Applanation Tonometry

Hearth health is evaluated through testing of arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflections using a high fidelity applanation tonometer.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

PET brain imaging

PET imaging of the brain using tau and amyloid ligands.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

[C-11]6-OH-BTA-1

PET imaging of the brain using an amyloid ligand.

Intervention Type DRUG

[F-18]AV-1451

PET imaging of the brain using a tau ligand.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

Continuous arterial pressure Pittsburgh Compound B [F-18]T807, LY3191748

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

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
Minimum Eligible Age

29 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

59 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

National Football League Scientific Advisory Board

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc.

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Harvard University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

David Okonkwo, MD, PhD

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

David Okonkwo, MD, PhD

Professor

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

David O Okonkwo, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurosurgery

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Kathryn L Edelman, MS

Role: CONTACT

412-624-1077

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Kathryn Edelman, MS

Role: primary

412-624-1077

Jane Sharpless, MS

Role: backup

412-648-2176

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Lopez OL, Jagust WJ, DeKosky ST, Becker JT, Fitzpatrick A, Dulberg C, Breitner J, Lyketsos C, Jones B, Kawas C, Carlson M, Kuller LH. Prevalence and classification of mild cognitive impairment in the Cardiovascular Health Study Cognition Study: part 1. Arch Neurol. 2003 Oct;60(10):1385-9. doi: 10.1001/archneur.60.10.1385.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 14568808 (View on PubMed)

Petersen RC. Mild cognitive impairment clinical trials. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2003 Aug;2(8):646-53. doi: 10.1038/nrd1155. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12904814 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

Download supplemental materials such as informed consent forms, study protocols, or participant manuals.

Document Type: Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

Brain Health Initiative

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Testing mTBI in Athletes
NCT02486003 COMPLETED
PET Tau - Neurodegenerative Disease Imaging
NCT03143374 RECRUITING PHASE2/PHASE3
PUFFINS Brain Health Study
NCT06947876 NOT_YET_RECRUITING