The researchers wanted to study the association of soccer heading over two years with change in brain microstructure and cognitive performance in adult amateur players. They used DTI, an MRI technique that characterizes the microstructure of the brain by tracking the microscopic movement of water molecules through brain tissue.

In her talk, Molly Charney, MD, from New York-Presbyterian Hospital presented research showing that the normally sharp gray matter-white matter interface seen on imaging was blunted in proportion to high repetitive head impact exposure.

Researchers used diffusion tensor imaging, an MRI technique, to study the impact of soccer heading on the brain. This method tracks the microscopic movement of water molecules through brain tissue to characterize the brain’s microstructure. Image and caption courtesy of the RSNA.

https://www.auntminnie.com/resources/conference/rsna/2023/article/15658667/dtimri-reveals-impact-of-soccer-heading-on-brain