Sports-Related Repetitive Traumatic Brain Injury: A Novel Cause of Pituitary Dysfunction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of disability and death, particularly in the young population. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that TBI-induced pituitary dysfunction occurs more frequently than previously estimated, and this may contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment of hormonal abnormalities. Today, the popularity of combative sports increases, and athletes who deal with these sports have risks of developing hypopituitarism attributed to repetitive TBIs. Pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms are not completely understood yet. Current studies suggest that athletes who had retired, especially from combative sports, should be screened for hypopituitarism. In this review, we aim to increase the awareness of medical communities, athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers about this issue by sharing the current studies regarding the pituitary dysfunction attributed to repetitive TBI associated with sports.