Rugby Advanced BRAIN Health Clinic opens

Issued by Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby, ISEH and Imperial College London

The Advanced BRAIN Health Clinic, which provides a specialist pathway for retired elite male and female rugby players between the ages of 30-55 and may have concerns over their individual brain health, has officially opened its doors.   The clinic, which is open to former England internationals (men’s, women’s and sevens) or those who have played elite club rugby in England, is located at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH) in central London, and is operated by independent experts Professor David Sharp and Dr Richard Sylvester in partnership with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby (PRL   All players attending will first undergo a comprehensive set of half day assessments at ISEH including: A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment including a range of tests of their cognitive function; Advanced Magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI) using a range of highly-sensitive scanning techniques able to identify subtle structural and functional changes to the brain; Blood tests to identify treatable causes of neurological or psychiatric problems; Ultrasensitive blood biomarker assessment to determine the presence/signs of neurodegeneration or inflammation within the brain;  Once baseline test results are acquired and consolidated, retired players will return to ISEH 4-8 weeks later to have a face-to-face neurological consultation from an expert in the assessment and management of post-traumatic and neurodegenerative disorders . Any treatment needs or brain health actions will be shared with the player and their General Practitioner. This process will be repeated two and four years later to assess any time-related changes in brain health. The clinic is supported by an integrated research programme to examine the risk, causes, assessment and management of neurological, psychiatric and cognitive symptoms occurring following participation in elite rugby. Professor David Sharp from the Dept. of Brain Science, Imperial College London & the UK Dementia Research Institute said: “Players, coaches, clubs and their support teams may have concerns about the long-term impacts of their sport on the brain, and how these risks can be assessed and mitigated. Our new clinic and the aligned research programme will use the latest clinical investigations to identify the cause long-term symptoms retired players may have and will help us to develop new ways to improving the brain health of retired rugby players.”   Dr Richard Sylvester a Consultant Neurologist ISEH, the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Homerton University Hospital said: “The clinic will provide first class medical care to retired rugby players with neurological symptoms and concerns about their brain health. The allied research programme provides an incredible opportunity to understand the underlying basis of these issues and will provide important insights into the effects of playing professional rugby on subsequent brain function. We look forward to seeing our first patients.”    Simon Kemp, RFU Medical Services Director said: “We’re delighted that the doors to this clinic are now open for clients. Since the initial announcement earlier this year we have worked hard with ISEH, PRL and Imperial College London to get things up and running. We hope this clinic will help many recently retired rugby players who might have concerns about their brain health, while allowing us to further develop our understanding in this area.”   Phil Winstanley, the Rugby Director at Premiership Rugby said: "We continue to invest in world-leading care for our current players but this new clinic is a commitment that we will invest in their health at the end of their career.   "This clinic will allow players the opportunity to gain access to leading independent experts and reassure themselves about their brain health whilst providing the game with the opportunity to better understand the impact of playing rugby. There has been a significant investment of time and resource to get this operational and this is another example of the collaboration and investment in player welfare by the English game.”   This service for retired elite players complements existing specialist clinics in London based at the ISEH and Birmingham (RECOS) that provide concussion assessments and management plans for players who are currently competing at both elite and recreational levels.