"What's been surprising is that it's so extensive," said McKee. "It's throughout the brain, not just on the superficial aspects of the brain, but it's deep inside."
CSTE studies reveal brown tangles flecked throughout the brain tissue of former NFL players who died young -- some as early as their 30s or 40s.
McKee, who also studies Alzheimer's disease, says the tangles closely resemble what might be found in the brain of an 80-year-old with dementia.
"I knew what traumatic brain disease looked like in the very end stages, in the most severe cases," said McKee. "To see the kind of changes we're seeing in 45-year-olds is basically unheard of."
I don't know if better helmets are the cure to this issue, but something needs to be done because this is so not safe.
3 comments:
I still think Football FANS are equally damaged in the head. ;-)
I largely agree - particularly the ones that go shirtless in sub-freezing temps. If that's not a sign of brain damage, I don't know what is.
I do not have football players in my family, but this is not so surprising, except for the severity of it.
Even the best helmets cannot make up for the continued abuse over time.
I wonder how the brains of 20-year-olds who have just played on youth and high school teams look.
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