New study estimates 75% of deceased ex-NFL players had brain disease CTE
Summary
A study estimates that about 75% of former NFL players who died from 2008 through 2023 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head impacts. Researchers cautioned that signs of CTE in the brain do not necessarily lead to dementia or noticeable symptoms.Key Facts
- Researchers analyzed records for 2,362 deceased former NFL players, who spent an average of five years in the league.
- About 400 players had donated their brains for examination; 93.5% of those samples showed evidence of CTE.
- The study aimed to estimate CTE prevalence among all former NFL players who died during the 2008–2023 period, not only those whose brains were donated.
- Fewer than 1% of samples from community-based brain banks contain evidence of CTE, according to the study authors.
- Researchers estimated that about 27% of the former NFL players in the analysis had dementia.
- CTE-related changes can affect brain tissue and involve tau protein, but they do not necessarily cause cognitive decline or noticeable symptoms.
- Possible CTE symptoms include depression, memory problems, severe mood changes and other behavioral difficulties.
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