The constant body contact and minor trauma to the head among football players may lead to a degenerative brain disease, based on a new study.
Based on a new report by FRONTLINE, 131 out of the more than 160 brain tissues managed by one of the country's biggest brain banks have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), most of whom were football players. However, of the 91 NFL players who donated their brains for study upon death, 87 of them tested positive of CTE. Most of the players who tested positive were offensive and defensive linemen who are the ones exposed to body contact in each game.
According to Boston University, who worked closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify the disease, CTE is a progressive degenerative condition that affects the brain due to the repetitive trauma to the head. It's been closely linked to other sports such as boxing. However, it's not well understood in football.
As the brain undergoes minor but consistent trauma, probably on every game, a protein known as tau starts to build up, causing memory loss, loss of impulse control, aggression, and dementia. The players may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, and the disease can take several years to develop.
The researchers believe that the percentage doesn't really represent the entire football population. Although the disease can already be present while the player is still alive and active in the sport, it cannot be identified until his demise.
Nevertheless, the new findings support other research that cites how repetitive minor trauma is more dangerous than a rare but violent head collision.
VA Boston's neuropathology chief and facility director Dr. Ann McKee stresses that the disease is "real," contrary to what other people are saying that it's rare and they are only exaggerating the problem.
NFL has already released a statement saying they are dedicated to make the game safer for the players including expanding their medical resources, changing game rules, and using "advanced sideline technology." In 2010, they provided $1 million donation in support of the study.
