Ex-NFL QB Tackles CTE Mystery in Living Patients

Former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is participating in a significant study at Boston University's CTE Center to help diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in living individuals. This research is critical because CTE, a degenerative brain disease linked to head trauma, can currently only be definitively diagnosed after death.

Hasselbeck, along with other participants, undergoes various tests including mental evaluations, blood samples, MRIs, and PET scans. The study's principal investigator, Michael Alosco, aims to find markers that differentiate CTE from Alzheimer's disease, despite their shared symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is seen as the key to developing effective treatments.

The research spans multiple locations across the United States, including sites in California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida. By studying both former football players and individuals with Alzheimer's who have no history of head trauma, scientists hope to map the critical differences between these conditions. This comprehensive approach is funded by a $15 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for 2025.

Hasselbeck, who played 17 seasons in the NFL, noted a cultural shift regarding head injuries during his career, moving from a "toughness" mentality to greater awareness. He expressed a passion for making the game safer, hoping his participation will advance this cause and offer hope for those affected by CTE.