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A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Ottawa has reignited concerns about the consequences of repeated head impacts in American football.
According to their analysis, approximately 74.5% of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 are believed to have had brain lesions associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The findings are based on an analysis of data from nearly 2,400 former players, about 400 of whom donated their brains to scientific research. This neurodegenerative disease is associated with repetitive head trauma, which is common in many contact sports.
Professor Thomas Hoshizaki, a concussion specialist at the University of Ottawa, believes that this high proportion is not particularly surprising given the impacts players endure over the course of their careers.
However, the researchers point out that studies on the prevalence of CTE have yielded widely varying estimates, ranging from 10% to 100%. A major challenge explains these discrepancies: individuals who experienced cognitive problems before their death may be more likely to donate their brains to science.
To minimize this bias, the authors incorporated data on causes of death, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia in the general population into their calculations. Their model thus estimates that nearly three-quarters of deceased former players had lesions consistent with TBI.
Repeated Head Impacts at the Center of Medical Concerns
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is associated with the abnormal accumulation of the tau protein in the brain. This accumulation can contribute to neuronal degeneration and be accompanied by cognitive or behavioral disorders. A definitive diagnosis currently relies on the examination of brain tissue after death.
The researchers also point out that the risk may vary depending on the player's position on the field. Another study conducted by Professor Hoshizaki and his colleagues suggests that linemen may be particularly at risk due to the frequency of collisions and the intensity of the impacts they receive.
While this research primarily concerns the NFL, the concerns extend beyond American football. Hockey, soccer, and boxing also raise questions about the long-term effects of repeated head trauma.
The authors nevertheless emphasize a crucial distinction: these results do not mean that 75% of all current or future players will develop the disease. They pertain to a cohort of deceased former players and are based on a statistical estimate.
This research, however, underscores the importance of better preventing concussions and understanding the long-term consequences of head impacts in sports.
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