Brain perfusion mediates the relationship between miRNA levels and postural control

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that brain blood flow mediates the relationship between specific miRNA levels and postural control deficits, highlighting a potential biomarker for repetitive head injury effects in athletes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel 'imaging omics' approach linking miRNA, brain perfusion, and motor function, revealing mediating effects in athletes with head impacts.

Findings

Elevated miR-30d and miR-92a linked to increased putamen blood flow.

Altered blood flow mediates the relationship between miRNA levels and balance deficits.

Results support a chronic inflammatory model of head impact effects.

Abstract

Transcriptomics, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and a spatial motor virtual reality task were integrated using mediation analysis in a novel demonstration of "imaging omics". Data collected in NCAA Division I football athletes cleared for play before in-season training showed significant relationships in a) elevated levels of miR-30d and miR-92a to elevated putamen rCBF, (b) elevated putamen rCBF to compromised balance scores, and (c) compromised balance scores to elevated miRNA levels. rCBF acted as a mediator variable (minimum 70% mediation, significant Sobel's test) 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 of repetitive head acceleration events (HAEs). rCBF, a systems biology measure, was necessary for miRNA to affect behavior. These results suggest miRNA as a potential diagnostic biomarker for repetitive HAEs.