More than 9 in 10 brains of former NFL gamers examined by Boston University researchers had the dangerous mind situation generally known as CTE, the scientists stated this week.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a illness attributable to repeated head impacts — like those soccer gamers expertise all through a recreation, season and profession. It could cause reminiscence loss, character adjustments and erratic habits amongst different signs.
CTE can solely be identified after dying.
“We have 376 NFL players in the bank and we found CTE in 345, roughly 91.7% of them,” Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, stated. “To me, this is an unacceptably high risk and it cries out for something to be done.”
McKee identified that this didn’t imply 92% of present and former NFL gamers have or may have CTE, for the reason that Center depends on donations — many from former gamers who suspect they’ve the illness earlier than they die.
A 2018 examine of 164 brains from the overall inhabitants discovered that solely one of many samples had CTE — a former faculty soccer participant’s.
“[The players] feel invincible, at the top of the game, and I understand that and the power that must hold over them,” McKee stated. “But they are just unfortunately not living with the real risks of the disease. It makes me sad.”
The physician stated that former gamers experiencing signs ought to nonetheless search therapy.
“Your symptoms, whether or not they are related to CTE, likely can be treated, and you should seek medical care. Our clinical team has had success treating former football players with mid-life mental health and other symptoms.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com