NSE & S100B protein blood level assessment during a long-distance trail race.

ABSTRACT

The acute and chronic consequences of long-distance running on brain function have received little attention. The impact of such a hard-physical burden associated with sleep privation during such events such has never been explored in terms of neuropsychological function and brain damage. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 4 athletes before, during and at the end of one of two races Grand Raid de la Réunion 2017 (GRR 165 km, elevation gain 9529 m, 2 runners) and Trail de la Bourbon 2017 (TB 111 km, elevation gain 6433 m, 2 runners). Serum S100B and NSE levels were measured for each runner before, during and after the race. RESULTS: Serum S100B levels (normal range < 0.15 µg/L) increased early during the race and remained high up to the end of the race in all 4 runners (range 0.17-0.59 µg/L). NSE level (normal range < 15 µg/L) increased in 3 of the 4 runners (range 16.8-39.2 µg/L). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study shows the potential interest of S100B and NSE serum assessment during long-distance races. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to investigate the origins and significance of this increase in brain injury markers.