Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Research Paper

“This sport will never die, but it will never again be, as it was until recently, the subject of uncomplicated national enthusiasm.” This thesis statement introduces us to the basis of what this article sets out to convey. Football is a tradition that is loved by America, but previously lacked the issue of concern that it does now. The most concerning issue that the author is talking about is chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. Caused by multiple head injuries, over a span of time, this disease results in atrophy of the brain, mood disorders, and dementia. The hidden damage caused by these injuries is taken into consideration when deciding to play football, however it is believed that this risk will deter players from joining in

CTE is a brain disease found in individuals with annals of head trauma. It has specifically been found in athletes with numerous concussions. So far it can only be diagnosed in the deceased, but Dr. Julian Bales and his staff in UCLA have discovered symptoms in living players such as Hall of Famer Anthony “Tony” Dorsett, Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure, and NFL All-Pro Leonard Marshall. CTE can cause memory loss, dementia, depression, suicidal thoughts, cognitive and emotional difficulties (Waldron par 1, 2, 3). Is it a compelling issue? A total of 171 concussions were reported in the NFL in the 2012-2013 season; 88 thus far in the 2013-2014 season (Frontline pt). Those are just numbers in the professional level. There are thousands of kids playing football either in youth, middle school, high school, or college level. The diagnosis is currently in progress, researchers are optimistic this could lead to a legitimate treatment, how to manage, and hopefully a cure. Furthermore, this can also possibly lead to an answer to a connection between football and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Junior Seau, Mike Webster, Terry Long, and Justin Strzelczyk (all of whom are dead now) are all men who played in the NFL for an extent period of time. This is not the only thing they have in common. These former players had an uncustomary

In a study of 92 former NFL players, it was found that a total of 88 (96%) of them were afflicted with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE (Tyler). With such a high percentage of former NFL players suffering from this disease, one would think solid efforts would be being put forward towards a cure, or that a cure may even have already been found. But this is not the case. Very little is known about this disease, and there is no known cure for it yet. As the leading influence in the game of football, the NFL has the moral responsibility to fund research and put forth an effort towards reducing the risk of and eventually eliminating head trauma in the game of football.

Recently, former NFL players have appealed a $1 billion plan to address concussions because it excludes the key brain disease that has commonly been associated with football known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This is a type of brain decay that has been found in dozens of past football players after they died. Critics of the NFL's plan have insisted that the deal includes future payments for encephalopathy.

This paper will investigate the epidemiologic and societal connection between developments regarding CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) and its progressive impact in the NFL. Dr. Anne McKee recently concluded her examination of the brains of 111 deceased NFL players – 110 of which were found to have CTE. The study being reviewed doesn’t necessarily mean that 96-99% of all NFL players are at the risk of CTE, but certainly provides an epidemiologic stance on how incidences and accidents relate to the common good of health within a football ecosystem.

With the recent news that Aaron Hernandez had Stage 3 CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) many opinions have been expressed about CTE and the future of the NFL. Stage 3 CTE is generally thought to be seen in people who are over 60 years old, making this news even more surprising. Being that Hernandez was 27 at the time of his death, this news potentially has more implications regarding the safety of football and what future safety standards need to be updated.

A study was conducted to show a link between football and brain damage and to show the dangerous effects that football has on the brain. 111 NFL players but one had a brain disease referred to as chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE. Further investigations have shown that American NFL players have a higher chance of developing neurological conditions such as CTE. CTE is a neurological disease that occurs when someone has had repeated brain trauma. Symptoms of CTE can effect one's behavior, memory, mood, and can cause dementia. 87 percent of NFL players had CTE, but the rate was 99 percent higher. Players with a mild case of CTE had played for 13 years, while others with a severe case of CTE had a career lasting 15 years. These brain injuries

All things considered, this nation should mitigate public pressure to put athletes in high risk situations by reducing the games per season. The NFL and organizations alike should increase rehabilitation periods and medical scrutiny for neuro traumatic impacts. Lastly, researchers must continue to expand on any information regarding CTE and its correlation to football.

One major concern is that players – like hard-hitting safety Kam Chancellor – could sustain a career-ending injury from a concussion, neck injury, or spinal injury during a game. But one head injury here, and one head injury, there can’t really be that bad, right? Wrong. Players that have had repeated concussions throughout their careers are far more susceptible to chronic pain and much more likely to diseases like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). An issue brought to light from the 2015 motion picture Concussion; and although the movie shared this knowledge to football fans all over the world, the harsh reality is doctors and other team physicians already knew about this problem. This raises far more questions than answers, don’t you

Being home and at school are the primary locations for students and adolescents and where they spend the most time of their day. When a student is diagnosed with a TBI, it can dramatically affect their school performance. After a student experiences a TBI, school is one one of the many stepping stones where recovery and development is offered and can be used as an intervention. For schools to be able to offer the appropriate educational measures adjusted for the needs of the student, the appropriate support and recovery process for the student, schools having the appropriate documentation and knowledge about the student’s injury.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a fairly recent discovery in medicine, psychology, and sports; even so there have been a number of studies within the last decade focusing on CTE. A recent study published last year by Filley focused on National Football League players who started playing football before they were twelve years old. He also had a control group who started later in life and saw that the earlier the player started playing football more neurologic impairment came with it later in life. A little earlier than this in 2012 Lehman had a similar outlook with focusing only on National Football League players, though his study was much larger with a total of 3,439. Due to CTE only diagnosable after death, Lehman had to get his data

There is a dark cloud hanging over the world of contact sports and it is growing at an alarming rate. With the size and speed of today’s athletes, the sports of football and hockey have become more exciting, fast paced, wide open, and fun to watch. However, there is another consequence of these ever growing athletes on their sports. They have made the collisions in them increasingly more violent. The velocity that these athletes hurl themselves through the air has created an atmosphere that could not have been imagined when these sports were created. Although the athletes’ bodies have become

1. Baugh, C. M., Stamm, J. M., Riley, D. O., Gavett, B. E., Shenton, M. E., Lin, A., …

1.5 million people in the United State of America have a traumatic brain disorder (TBI). These disorders have symptoms of memory dysfunction, depression and anxiety; Dr. Byrnes and her team at the Uniformed Services University have examined mouse models to find the cellular mechanisms for these symptoms.

While the NFL is putting new rules and regulations on equipment and which type of tackles are allowed, living retired NFL players are found to already have symptoms of CTE (Fainaru, 2013). Through brain scans and research done by UCLA, they have identified proteins in player’s brains that cause CTE, which as Dr. Julian Bailes, co-director or North Shore Neurological Institute said, is the “holy grail” to studying CTE and finding ways to cure and prevent it (Fainaru, 2013). While this is a break through, there is still no cure or way to treat CTE (Fainaru, 2013). But this research also raises questions about CTE and the NFL. Will players be required to be tested for CTE? Can players be denied playing anymore if CTE is found? Will this greatly affect the way that football is currently played? As the research is still being collected, there is still no definite answer to any of those questions, but the NFL has acknowledged the correlations of CTE and concussions caused by playing in the NFL and assures that they will do all they can to help prevent severe brain trauma to their players, including donating $30 million to the National Institutes of Health to conduct further research on CTE (Kroll, 2013).