Sport-Type Variations in Baseline Salivary microRNA Profiles as Concussion Biomarkers
Poster #: 102
Session/Time: A
Author:
Martina Zamponi, PhD, MS
Mentor:
Thomas R Campbell, PhD, LAT
Research Type: Clinical Research
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Concussions represent one of the most common sports-related injuries, yet many cases may go undiagnosed due to limitations in current clinical practices. Standard diagnostic approaches rely heavily on patient-reported symptoms and sideline assessments, which are inherently subjective. There is therefore a growing interest in the development of clinical diagnostics tools that can provide objective, reproducible, and clinically meaningful measures of concussion. Salivary microRNAs have emerged as potential biomarkers to improve concussion diagnostic accuracy. These small non-coding RNAs are stable in saliva, can be collected non-invasively, and have been shown to change in response to traumatic brain injury. However, the clinical utility of salivary microRNAs remains unproven, and it is necessary to understand the extent to which their expression is influenced by natural variation unrelated to injury. This study aimed to assess the effects of sport type on baseline salivary microRNA expression levels.
METHODS:
Following institutional guidelines, 212 baseline saliva samples were collected from NCAA Division I athletes. Samples were categorized into four sport-types: Non-contact (n=82), Limited-contact (n=63), Contact (n=36), and Collision (n=32). Expression levels of the following microRNAs were measured: 27a-5p, 30a-3p, 192-5p, 7-1-3p, 29c-3p, 26b-5p. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare microRNA expression across groups, with Dunn's post hoc test applied for pairwise comparisons (p < 0.05).
RESULTS:
This study evaluated whether sport type affects baseline salivary microRNA levels. We found no statistically significant differences in the expression of the microRNAs 27a-5p and 30a-3p across all sport types. microRNA 192-5p was significantly increased in collision vs. limited and non-contact sports (p = 0.0189 and p = 0.0007) as well as in contact vs. limited and non-contact sports (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001). microRNA 7-1-3p was significantly increased in collision vs. limited and non-contact sports (p = 0.0016 and p < 0.0001). microRNA 29c-3p was significantly increased in collision and contact vs. limited contact sports (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0026) but significantly decreased in limited contact vs. non-contact sports (p = 0.0078). microRNA 26b-5p was significantly increased in collision vs. limited contact and non-contact sports (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0267).
CONCLUSION:
Current concussion management relies on subjective symptom reporting, highlighting the need for objective diagnostic tools to facilitate decision making surrounding diagnosis and return-to-play. Salivary microRNAs show promise as potential biomarkers, however further research on the factors associated with their variability is warranted. The aim of this study was to determine whether observed changes in microRNA levels post-injury are due to concussion itself rather than natural sport-related variations. We found that several microRNAs-particularly 192-5p, 7-1-3p, 29c-3p, and 26b-5p-exhibit significant baseline differences based on sport type. Based on these findings, sport type should be considered to ensure accuracy and generalizability of research surrounding microRNA as concussion biomarkers.
Concussions represent one of the most common sports-related injuries, yet many cases may go undiagnosed due to limitations in current clinical practices. Standard diagnostic approaches rely heavily on patient-reported symptoms and sideline assessments, which are inherently subjective. There is therefore a growing interest in the development of clinical diagnostics tools that can provide objective, reproducible, and clinically meaningful measures of concussion. Salivary microRNAs have emerged as potential biomarkers to improve concussion diagnostic accuracy. These small non-coding RNAs are stable in saliva, can be collected non-invasively, and have been shown to change in response to traumatic brain injury. However, the clinical utility of salivary microRNAs remains unproven, and it is necessary to understand the extent to which their expression is influenced by natural variation unrelated to injury. This study aimed to assess the effects of sport type on baseline salivary microRNA expression levels.
METHODS:
Following institutional guidelines, 212 baseline saliva samples were collected from NCAA Division I athletes. Samples were categorized into four sport-types: Non-contact (n=82), Limited-contact (n=63), Contact (n=36), and Collision (n=32). Expression levels of the following microRNAs were measured: 27a-5p, 30a-3p, 192-5p, 7-1-3p, 29c-3p, 26b-5p. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare microRNA expression across groups, with Dunn's post hoc test applied for pairwise comparisons (p < 0.05).
RESULTS:
This study evaluated whether sport type affects baseline salivary microRNA levels. We found no statistically significant differences in the expression of the microRNAs 27a-5p and 30a-3p across all sport types. microRNA 192-5p was significantly increased in collision vs. limited and non-contact sports (p = 0.0189 and p = 0.0007) as well as in contact vs. limited and non-contact sports (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001). microRNA 7-1-3p was significantly increased in collision vs. limited and non-contact sports (p = 0.0016 and p < 0.0001). microRNA 29c-3p was significantly increased in collision and contact vs. limited contact sports (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0026) but significantly decreased in limited contact vs. non-contact sports (p = 0.0078). microRNA 26b-5p was significantly increased in collision vs. limited contact and non-contact sports (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0267).
CONCLUSION:
Current concussion management relies on subjective symptom reporting, highlighting the need for objective diagnostic tools to facilitate decision making surrounding diagnosis and return-to-play. Salivary microRNAs show promise as potential biomarkers, however further research on the factors associated with their variability is warranted. The aim of this study was to determine whether observed changes in microRNA levels post-injury are due to concussion itself rather than natural sport-related variations. We found that several microRNAs-particularly 192-5p, 7-1-3p, 29c-3p, and 26b-5p-exhibit significant baseline differences based on sport type. Based on these findings, sport type should be considered to ensure accuracy and generalizability of research surrounding microRNA as concussion biomarkers.