"Insights into Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a brain condition, following assertions by the NYC gunman"
In a significant development, research conducted by the Boston University CTE Center has strongly supported a link between repeated head injuries in football and the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study, which analyzed the brains of 266 deceased former amateur and professional football players, found that the risk of developing CTE increases progressively with greater exposure to head trauma.
The Boston University CTE Center, a leading authority in this field, has examined over 1,500 donated brains, including more than 800 confirmed cases of CTE. Most donors had a history of repeated head impacts, often as athletes or military veterans. The study found that for every year of playing tackle football, the risk of CTE increases by 30%, and the risk doubles after about 2.6 years of play.
The research also revealed a high prevalence of CTE among former NFL players, with nearly 92% of examined players found to have the disease. These findings underscore the significance of repeated head trauma in football as a major contributing factor to CTE development.
However, it's important to note that diagnosing CTE remains challenging due to its complex pathology and the need for postmortem brain examination. No one can get a definitive diagnosis of CTE while they are still alive. The only way to confirm CTE is through an autopsy by specialists who look for specific changes in the brain.
Recent high-profile cases and ongoing studies continue to emphasize that repeated concussive and subconcussive impacts in football are a major contributing factor to CTE development. Dr. Bob Stern from the Boston University CTE Center has clarified that CTE does not cause a mass shooting, and the Boston University CTE Center has not found a connection between CTE and mass shootings.
Meanwhile, concerns over CTE have led to improved player safety protocols in football, from Pop Warner to the NFL. Dr. Rosanna Sabini of Northwell Health Concussion Program stated that symptoms of CTE include memory loss, mood changes, confusion, and trouble thinking clearly. She emphasized that anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek help.
In a separate incident, a gunman killed four people in Midtown Manhattan on Monday night. The gunman had a documented history of mental health issues, but police have yet to find evidence that the gunman suffered a traumatic brain injury.
These findings underscore the importance of continued research into CTE and its potential links to violent behavior. While the link between CTE and mass shootings remains unclear, it is evident that repeated head injuries in football significantly increase the risk of developing CTE. As such, efforts to improve player safety and reduce head injuries in football are crucial to mitigate the risk of this debilitating disease.
References: [1] McKee, A. C., Cantu, R. C., Nowinski, C. J., & Stern, R. A. (2016). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes: Progression of tau pathology. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 4(1), 60. [3] Omalu, B. S., Bailes, J., De Knegt, C. J., Hamilton, D. L., Kubilus, C. R., & Cantu, R. C. (2010). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in an National Football League player linked to repeated concussions. Neurosurgery, 67(4), 766-776.
- Given the findings from the Boston University CTE Center, sports such as football are under scrutiny for the potential risks they pose to players' mental health, such as the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
- Amidst increased concerns over CTE, health-and-wellness practitioners are advocating for therapies-and-treatments to address the symptoms of CTE, including memory loss, mood changes, and confusion.
- Beyond football, the complex link between repeated head injuries and mental health issues, including CTE, warrants further research and exploration in various domains, such as military contexts, to better understand and mitigate these risks.
