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NFL Brain Disease: 75% of Deceased Players Affected
28 Oct
Summary
- Study estimates 75% of deceased NFL players had CTE.
- Nearly 400 brains examined showed 93.5% CTE evidence.
- CTE rates in players vastly exceed general population.
A groundbreaking study estimates that around 75% of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 were affected by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This research, published in Jama Network Open, represents the first attempt to gauge CTE prevalence across all deceased players from that period.
The analysis included 2,362 former NFL players, with nearly 400 brains donated for examination. Of these, a striking 93.5% displayed evidence of CTE, a stark contrast to the less than 1% found in general population brain banks. Researchers noted that physical changes associated with CTE include brain atrophy and tau protein accumulation.
While CTE can lead to symptoms like dementia, memory loss, and mood changes, it does not guarantee cognitive decline; some individuals may never show symptoms. The study estimated that about 27% of the former players analyzed had dementia. This research follows previous findings and underscores the NFL's ongoing efforts to improve player safety and develop diagnostic tools and treatments for CTE.
