Study Links Brain Trauma to Neurological Disease in Former NFL Players

WASHINGTON – A recent study identified signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in at least one-quarter of deceased National Football League (NFL) players whose brains underwent examination. Scientists define CTE as a brain disease, and they associate its development with years of repeated head trauma.

Researchers can only diagnose CTE through an autopsy of brain tissue. Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-author of the study and a representative of the Concussion and CTE Foundation, discussed the findings. The study focused on analyzing the brains of individuals who had participated in professional football. These analyses provided the basis for the reported prevalence of CTE among the studied population.