A-62 Evaluating the New Consensus Criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome in Older Adults

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Abstract Purpose To evaluate the new consensus diagnostic criteria for Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES) in community-dwelling older adults, with and without a history of repetitive head impacts. Methods Older adults (n=507; age: M=70.0, SD=9.0; 65% women) completed a survey assessing TES, as well as their demographics, prior athletic participation, and current symptoms in a variety of areas. To meet the symptom criteria for TES, participants had to report progressive changes with memory, executive functioning, or neurobehavioral dysregulation. To meet the repetitive head impacts criterion, participants reported contact sport exposure (5+ years of contact sports, at least 2 of which were in high school) or other repetitive head impacts (e.g., from military exposures or domestic violence). Results Overall, 26.2% endorsed having one or more of the progressive core clinical features of TES. Those who met the repetitive head impacts criterion were not significantly more likely to meet TES criteria compared to those who did not meet this criterion (31.8% vs. 25.3%, p=.26). In a binary logistic regression predicting TES status, current depression or anxiety (OR=8.00), history of psychiatric disorders (OR=2.48), male sex (OR=1.85), and sleep problems (OR=1.75) were associated with meeting TES criteria. The repetitive head impacts criterion, age, and current pain were not significantly associated with TES status. Conclusions About one-fourth of older adults met the symptoms criteria for TES, many of whom did not have a history of repetitive mild neurotrauma. Mental health problems and sleep issues were associated with TES, whereas having a history of repetitive head impacts was not.