Brain Perfusion Mediates the Relationship Between miRNA Levels and Postural Control

Abstract

Transcriptomics, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and a virtual reality-based spatial motor task were integrated using mediation analysis in a novel demonstration of “imaging omics.” Data collected in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football athletes cleared for play before in-season training showed significant relationships in 1) elevated levels of miR-30d and miR-92a to elevated putamen rCBF, 2) elevated putamen rCBF to compromised Balance scores, and 3) compromised Balance scores to elevated microRNA (miRNA) levels. rCBF acted as a consistent mediator variable (Sobel’s test P < 0.05) between abnormal miRNA levels and compromised Balance scores. Given the involvement of these miRNAs in inflammation and immune function and that vascular perfusion is a component of the inflammatory response, these findings support a chronic inflammatory model in these athletes with 11 years of average football exposure. rCBF, a systems biology measure, was necessary for miRNA to affect behavior.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2020
Source ID
10.1093/texcom/tgaa078

Entities

People

  • Alexa E Walter
  • Amy A Herrold
  • Anne J Blood
  • Barbara Knollmann-Ritschel
  • Eric A. Nauman
  • For The Concussion Neuroimaging Consortium
  • Hans C. Breiter
  • James L Reilly
  • Jaroslaw Harezlak
  • Khrystyna Stetsiv
  • Linda Papa
  • Manish Bhomia
  • Nicole L. Vike
  • Peter H Seidenberg
  • Semyon Slobounov
  • Sumra Bari
  • Thomas M. Talavage
  • Yufen Chen
  • Zoran Martinovich

Organizations

  • Harvard Medical School
  • Indiana University
  • Istituto Superiore di Sanità
  • National Science Foundation
  • Northwestern University
  • Orlando Regional Medical Center
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Purdue University
  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
  • United States Department of Defense
  • Veterans Health Administration

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.