New study estimates 75% of deceased ex-NFL players had brain disease CTE

A new study published in JAMA Network Open estimates that approximately 75% of former NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 showed evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The research, conducted by a team involving Boston University, Mass General Brigham, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation, examined the prevalence of the neurodegenerative disease among 2,362 players who died during this period.

The Guardian US reports that the estimated rate of CTE among these players was significantly higher than the rates observed in brain samples from the general population. Medical Xpress notes that CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death and is associated with substantial exposure to repetitive head impacts.

Lead author Julia Gallini, a Ph.D. candidate at Boston University School of Public Health, stated that providing a precise prevalence estimate helps define the scale of the problem and informs medical priorities. Medical Xpress further notes that while CTE is found in less than 1% of community brain bank donors, the estimated 75% prevalence among these deceased players suggests a need for increased efforts to support families and develop methods to diagnose and treat CTE-related symptoms during life.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Guardian US, Medical Xpress — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.