Here’s why Athletes are Pledging Their Brains to Science
Brain injuries create a range of symptoms. Some change an individual’s entire life experience without showing much, if any, visible damage. Many professional athletes are planning to donate their brains to science after they die to help prevent devastating brain injuries to future athletes.
CTE: A Degenerative Brain Disease Plaguing Athletes
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, occurs when individuals experience repeated trauma to the head. The progressive condition does not cause immediate changes, such as brain swelling or bleeding, but subtly destroys the brain over time. Repeated trauma breaks down brain tissue and can lead to an increase in abnormal proteins known as tau. Noticeable changes may not happen for years, and the condition can only be diagnosed after death.
The degenerative brain disease eventually creates dementia-like symptoms in patients. Mood swings, confusion, depression, memory loss, and aggression serve as hallmarks of the disease. Like all other brain injuries, the signs and symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain impacted.
How a Brain Donation Helps Fight Against CTE
The average person’s brain will not yield insights into the development and diagnosis of CTE. The brains of those with a high risk of head trauma or injury (i.e., professional athletes), on the other hand, may give scientists the information needed to advance the diagnosis and treatment of CTE and other brain injuries.
For any athlete or individual who works in a high-risk environment, contracting CTE is a scary and real possibility. So far, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Cincinnati Bengals player Eric Winston, Olympic gold-medalist Nancy Hogshead-Makar (swimmer), and Oakland Raider player Phil Villapiano account for just a few of the many athletes planning to donate their brains to science. Specifically, their brains will go to the Department of Veterans Affairs–Boston University CLF Brain Bank.
A leading researcher at the brain bank discovered evidence of the condition in 200 people, and not all were athletes. Anyone who experiences repeated head trauma, including fighters and military veterans, faces a risk for CTE. Without a clear way to diagnose the living, those with CTE may receive inaccurate diagnoses and unhelpful treatment suggestions.
After acquisition, the researchers at the brain bank will use donated brains to:
- Study tissue samples to understand neurodegenerative disorders, including CTE.
- Understand the illness, identify genetic and environmental risk factors, and develop testing and treatment for the disease.
- Help caregivers understand their roles in caring for those with CTE.
- Give other researchers access to their findings for improved research and support.
As of late 2015, data from the brain bank suggest that athletes’ donations will be important in the study of CTE. Eighty-seven out of 91 deceased former NFL players who donated their brains tested positive for CTE. The condition was present in 79% of all football players (NFL and non-NFL). Preliminary findings suggest the condition may arise more with minor, repeat trauma than significant blows to the head.
Reduce the Risk of Brain Injuries
In recent years, head trauma associated with sports has taken a national stage. The CDC’s HEADS UP concussion awareness campaign strives to educate coaches, parents, and athletes about the dangers of concussions on the playing field. The NFL has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to independent medical research and CTE studies to date.
As awareness spreads, everyone can take steps to reduce the risk of head injuries on a daily basis:
- Use concussion identification apps to reduce the risk of an undiagnosed head injury.
- Wear appropriate gear during practice and during games.
- Weigh the benefits and the costs of playing contact sports. Repeated blows to the head will increase the risk of CTE or another type of brain injury.
Head injuries can transform someone’s cognitive capabilities, personality, and sense of self. With strong safety practices and medical support, everyone can play an active role in reducing instances of serious brain injuries.