INTRODUCTION. It has been suggested that a family history of neurodegenerative disease may predispose an athlete to abnormal recovery following concussion. However, no one has longitudinally assessed outcomes in athletes with and without a family history of neurodegenerative disease. Accordingly, the aim of our study was to longitudinally examine the influence of family history of neurodegenerative disease on clinical symptoms, neurological function, and cognition, following a concussion. 
METHODS. During the 2014-2017 academic years, data were collected from 29 NCAA universities and military service academies as part of the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium. Baseline assessments were completed prior to the beginning of the sport season for all athletes. Athletes were re-assessed 24-48 hours post-concussion, and again when they were granted unrestricted return-to-play. Symptom profiles were measured using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) symptom checklist, neurological function was measured using the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC), and cognition was measured using the ImPACT test. Athletes who sustained a concussion were separated into those with (n = 70) and without (n = 140) a family history of neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia, or Mild Cognitive Impairment). Athletes without a family history of neurodegenerative disease were double matched based on age, sex, body mass index, sport played, and concussion history.
RESULTS. No group differences were observed at any timepoint for any measure of the SCAT or SAC (p’s > 05). In contrast, athletes with a family history of neurodegenerative disease exhibited significantly poorer visual working memory at baseline than athletes without a family history of neurodegenerative disease (p < .05). Following concussion, athletes with a family history of neurodegenerative disease exhibited greater decreases from baseline in visual working memory (24-48 hours post-injury) than athletes without a family history of neurodegenerative disease (p < .05).
CONCLUSIONS. These results suggest that a family history of neurodegenerative disease is associated with poorer visual working memory at baseline and more severe acute memory deficits following a concussion.

Impact of Family History of Neurodegenerative Disease on Concussion Recovery Profiles: Data from the NCAA-DoD CARE Consortium