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New Study Reveals Alarming CTE Rates
16 Sep
Summary
- CTE risk is higher than previously thought.
- One in four deceased NFL players studied had CTE.
- Repetitive head impacts are linked to brain disease.
A recent study has brought alarming attention to the prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease linked to repetitive head impacts. The research indicates that the odds of developing CTE are significantly higher than previously understood, affecting athletes in contact sports.
Published in the British Medical Journal in August, the study found that a conservative estimate of at least one-in-four deceased NFL players between 2016 and 2021 had CTE. This rate dramatically contrasts with the less than one percent of the general population affected by CTE, according to community brain bank studies.
Researchers noted that the severity of CTE was significantly associated with dementia. While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death, potential red flags include noticeable mood and cognitive changes over time. Clinicians recommend assessment for individuals experiencing consistent changes in behaviour or memory.
