Abstract:
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The advent of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging has provided the opportunity for non-invasive investigation of neural architecture. This is particularly important for assessing environmental and genetic effects on neural architecture. Furthermore, there is a need to fuse advances in causal modeling with neuroimagine outcomes. In this study, we evaluate the causal effect of repetitive head (RHI) impacts on tractrography outcomes. Repetitive head impacts refer to the cumulative exposure to concussive and subconcussive events. Although RHI is believed to increase risk for later-life neurological consequences (including chronic traumatic encephalopathy), quantitative analysis of this causal relationship is difficult to assess due to self report bias and lack of exposure history. Using a cohort of former NFL players, we model the relationship using an instrumental variable approach to determine the relationship in specific regions of cumulative RHI as well as age of first exposure to RHI in tractography outcomes, incorporating information from neighboring regions of interest in this process.
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