At Least 1 in 4 NFL Players Gets CTE, Major New Study Finds

A recent study has found that a significant portion of former NFL players who have passed away had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Out of 235 brains donated during the period between 2016 and 2021, 215 were found to have CTE, which translates to at least 24.5% of these players. The research, published in The BMJ, examined 878 former NFL players who died in that time frame, and from this sample, 215 donated brains.

The study's authors used statistical models to estimate that the prevalence of CTE among the broader group of deceased former players could range from 24.5% to 97.7%. However, they emphasized that these figures represent a minimum baseline risk, not a complete population count, due to the voluntary nature of brain donations.

CTE is diagnosed only after death by examining the brain for abnormal tau protein accumulation. This limitation prevents researchers from determining how many living players currently have the disease. The study also found that among those with CTE, 61.3% met criteria for dementia, and this proportion increased to 90.4% among those with the most advanced stage of CTE.

The findings suggest a stronger link between severe CTE and dementia, but they do not prove that CTE directly caused every case of dementia among the players. The study reinforces the understanding that repeated head impacts are a significant factor in the development of CTE, even in cases without a diagnosed concussion. However, the study cannot pinpoint the exact number of head impacts that lead to CTE or determine individual player risks.

Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of CTE among former NFL players and highlights the need for further research to reduce the risk associated with repetitive head impacts.