Study Finds CTE in Quarter of Deceased Former NFL Players

BOSTON – At least one quarter of former National Football League (NFL) players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a new study revealed. Researchers conducted an analysis of brain tissue from a group of these deceased athletes.

CTE is a degenerative brain disease. Scientists have previously linked it to repeated head trauma. The condition has long been associated with participation in professional football.

This research focused on a specific cohort of former NFL players. The study aimed to assess the occurrence of CTE within this group. The findings provide data on the presence of the disease among recently deceased players.