A new study has found that at least one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease, though researchers say the real figure could be much higher.
Key facts
- At least one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 was found to have CTE.
- 215 of 235 donated brains showed signs of the disease.
- 878 former players died during the study period; 235 donated their brains for research.
- CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death.
- Symptoms include memory and attention problems, dementia, mood disorders and headaches.
A new study says at least one in four former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had a degenerative brain disease, but the true figure could be much higher, according to the BBC.
The research, released on Tuesday, examined chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition that can only be definitively diagnosed after death. According to the Guardian, 215 of 235 donated brains showed signs of the disease.
Out of the 878 former players who died during the 2016 to 2021 period, 235 donated their brains for study, researchers said. With 215 of those brains found to have CTE, the proportion among the donated sample was strikingly high.
CTE is associated with repeated blows to the head, including concussions. The Guardian reports that its symptoms include difficulty with attention and memory, dementia, mood disorders and headaches.
Because the disease can only be confirmed after death, researchers rely on donated brains to study its prevalence. The finding that at least one in four of the former players who died had CTE suggests, according to the study, that the condition may be more widespread than previously shown.
Researchers cautioned that the true figure could be higher, given that only a portion of the 878 players who died during the period donated their brains for analysis.
Why it matters
CTE has become a central concern in debates over the safety of contact sports, particularly American football. Findings suggesting the disease is more common than previously shown among former NFL players raise fresh questions about the long-term health risks facing athletes and the responsibilities of the sport's institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What is CTE?
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head, including concussions. According to the Guardian, its symptoms include difficulty with attention and memory, dementia, mood disorders and headaches.
How was the study conducted?
Researchers examined the brains of 235 former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 and donated their brains for study. Of the 878 former players who died during that period, 235 donated their brains, and 215 of those showed signs of CTE.
Can CTE be diagnosed in living players?
No. According to the Guardian, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death, which is why researchers rely on donated brains to study its prevalence.