A new study is raising more alarms about football and the impact on players’ brains.
[ READ MORE: What is CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy? ]
The British Medical Journal found at least a quarter of all former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy at death.
CTE is a neurological disease tied to repeated head trauma.
Channel 9 spoke with a local sports neurologist who said there’s still much to be studied.
“Let’s be more careful with our helmets,” said Dr. Neil Bhathela, Atrium Health sports neurologist. “Let’s be more careful with identifying concussion, and let’s be more intentional with education about what concussion really is. So, what I want athletes and parents to get from this is we’re looking at the long-term consequences, but that doesn’t change the basics of concussion care. So, if you have any symptoms? You should be removed immediately.”
Some common signs of a concussion are headache, pressure, confusion and nausea.
Experts say it’s also important to address proper access to care, equipment and education.