A new study suggests that a significant number of former athletes believe they may have Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. The study also highlights a concerning correlation between suspected CTE and increased suicidal thoughts among these individuals.
Fans of contact sports like football, boxing, or soccer, are aware of the risks of injury to the brain. Repeated blows to the head can cause a condition known as traumatic brain injury, which can have serious consequences,, which can result from repeated head impacts. In CTE , tangles of a protein called tau build up in the brain, causing damage similar to that seen in Alzheimer's disease. Over time, this damage can lead to dementia and even death.
The study found that players who believed they had CTE reported significantly more cognitive problems and a higher proportion of low testosterone, depression, headaches, and chronic pain, compared with those who did not have concerns about CTE. These conditions and others have been shown to cause cognitive problems even in those without head injury, indicating such symptoms could be independent from CTE.
The researchers recommend identifying and treating any conditions that cause similar neurocognitive symptoms to reduce the chances of players prematurely attributing symptoms to CTE, which may lead to hopelessness and thoughts of self-harm. While concerns about CTE are legitimate, treating comorbid conditions may alleviate symptoms and improve overall mood.
“A key takeaway from this study is that many conditions common to former NFL players such as sleep apnea, low testosterone, high blood pressure, and chronic pain can cause problems with thinking, memory, and concentration,” “While we wait for advances in CTE research to better address living players’ experiences, it is imperative that we identify conditions that are treatable. These efforts may reduce the chances that players will prematurely attribute symptoms to CTE which may lead to hopelessness and thoughts of self-harm.”Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.
CTE Former Athletes Suicidal Thoughts Brain Injury Neurodegenerative Disease
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