“CTE found in 99% of studies brains from deceased NFL players”, a CNN article by Daniella Emanuel brings to light the dangerous disease that has been paired with the NFL over the past decade. Her piece examines the results of the study, raises questions about the disease, and looks forward to what’s next for the NFL.
“There’s no questions that there’s a problem in football,” Dr. Ann McKee stated. McKee, director of Boston University’s CTE Center, was one of many doctors involved in the study in which 110 of 111 brains of deceased NFL players were diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is defined as “a degenerative brain disease that affects one’s mood and behavior.” Often found in athletes with repetitive brain trauma, the disease has often been coupled with Alzheimer’s. In the article, Emanuel states that individuals with the disease are more prone to mood swings and aggression, and that it is impossible to diagnose the disease until after death. This report has sparked fear among players at all levels of the sport, and while the results are appalling, there is reason to believe that the numbers might not be what they seem. In a video paired with the article, Dr. Sanjay Gupta states that “the number (of brains diagnosed with CTE) could be so high because of selection bias.” This means that only brains of people who complained of symptoms before their death were studied. Gupta also argues that although recent studies have focused on football, others such as boxers or military personnel should also be concerned.
As for what’s next, McKee and her colleagues within the program continue their studies and tells CNN that they “are looking at the lengths of exposure to head trauma, the age of first exposure, and lengths of playing careers.” Through their research, they aim to relate their findings to the severity of CTE and soon “develop biomarkers and therapies by understanding the pathological features of the disease.”