London: A team of UCL researchers have joined
the ongoing Saracens study for the 2015/16 season, which combines impact
sensors with blood samples to determine the effects of concussion on rugby
players. In January, following an approach from
James Drake of The Drake Foundation to set up a research project to study the
effects of concussion, Saracens players began wearing impact sensors produced
by X2 Bio-systems in Seattle which measure the force and direction of impact to
the head. The Drake Foundation have now extended
the funding of the study so that from the start of the new Aviva Premiership
season, players’ blood samples will be analysed to detect biomarkers associated
with brain injury.
The data will be collected by
researchers at the UCL Institute of Neurology under the guidance of Professor
Huw Morris and Professor John Hardy, assisted by Professor Henrik Zetterberg
who has studied the effects of concussion in ice hockey.
Saracens Head of Medical Joe Collins
believes that the use of blood biomarkers, which are commonly used to detect
illness and disease but can also detect brain injury, will significantly widen
the range of the ongoing study. He said: “The impact sensors have been
providing us with data during matches and training but analysing players' blood
biomarkers in conjunction with neuro-imaging and psychometric testing will
greatly expand this study. This is such a complex subject, we hope this is
another step forward as we look to increase our understanding. We have a duty
to look after our players, and nothing is more important than their welfare."
James Drake, Chairman and Founder of The
Drake Foundation, comments: “We are excited to collaborate with Saracens and
UCL in realizing our initial idea for this study and to advance research in
sports-related concussions. There is a pressing need to understand better the
biology of head injuries, and we hope that the results will give evidence-based
facts to improve measures for participant safety in contact sports.”
Professor Huw Morris (UCL
Institute of Neurology) said: “We are very
excited to be involved in this study. We have a lot to learn about the effects
of head injury and concussion. We believe that some aspects of head injury can
be measured using blood tests. We hope that this work will help us to improve
player safety in the future.”