Nearly 75% of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had CTE, analysis estimates

A new study has found that nearly 75% of former NFL players who passed away between 2008 and 2023 had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) neuropathology, according to researchers from Boston University. CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that cannot be definitively diagnosed until after death, as it results from substantial exposure to repetitive head impacts.

Lead author Julia Gallini stated that this estimate indicates a concerning scale of the problem and highlights the need for increased support for affected families, early diagnosis, and treatment of CTE-related symptoms. The study, conducted in collaboration with Mass General Brigham and the Concussion & CTE Foundation, is published in JAMA Network Open.

It's important to note that this estimate only applies to deceased former NFL players, and does not predict the prevalence among living players or active athletes. Previous research has shown CTE is rare in the general population, with less than 1% of brain donors showing signs of the disease in various regions. The study adjusts for selection bias by comparing factors such as cognitive symptoms, age at death, position, and years played in the NFL between those who donated their brains and those who did not.