A research study involving almost 2,000 retired NFL players revealed that about one-third believe they are suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a brain condition linked to repeated head injuries, diagnosed only after death through a brain examination.
Recent research involving nearly 2,000 former NFL players indicates that approximately one-third think they might have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurological disorder associated with recurrent head trauma that can only be confirmed via a post-mortem brain examination.
The study’s authors found that players who suspected they had CTE reported a greater number of cognitive difficulties, as well as higher rates of low testosterone, depression, headaches, and chronic pain compared to those without CTE concerns. These issues can cause cognitive difficulties even in people without head injuries, suggesting that these symptoms might not necessarily be linked to CTE. This study was carried out by researchers from Mass General Brigham who are involved in the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University and was published on September 23 in JAMA Neurology.
The researchers emphasize that all neurocognitive issues should be taken seriously by healthcare providers. This encompasses neurodegenerative changes in the brain that should be thoroughly assessed through neurocognitive tests, physical evaluations, MRI, and CT imaging. It is crucial because neurological symptoms may be caused by various factors unrelated to CTE, which can only be definitively identified during an autopsy.
The study also highlights that players experiencing neurological symptoms and thoughts of suicide could potentially be diagnosed with CTE in the future, but such conclusions can only be drawn after death.
“As complex human beings, our beliefs can significantly influence our health,” expressed co-author Ross Zafonte, DO, who is the President of Spaulding Rehabilitation and Chief of the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also leads the Football Players Health Study at Harvard. “While the symptoms that arouse concerns about CTE are real and these worries are valid, it’s essential to recognize that enduring fears about this condition can negatively impact mental health. Additionally, when these concerns prevent former NFL players from pursuing effective treatments for other interrelated physical and emotional health issues, it’s vital for us to step in.”
Receiving a diagnosis of untreatable neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s is linked to a heightened risk of suicide. To explore whether the belief in having CTE relates similarly to suicidal thoughts, researchers conducted a survey of 1,980 former professional football players to determine how many feel they have CTE, which player traits are commonly linked to this belief, and whether these CTE fears correlate with frequent suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
The findings revealed that 34% of players believe they have CTE. Those who expressed concerns were more often found to have low testosterone, depression, mood swings, pain, cognitive issues, and a greater history of head injuries. Around 25% of those who suspected they had CTE reported thoughts of suicide compared to only 5% of those who did not have such concerns. Even when accounting for depressive symptoms, players who believed they had CTE were still twice as likely to report frequent thoughts of suicide or self-harm, suggesting that the worry about having an incurable neurodegenerative disease might be a contributing factor, rather than just depression itself. While concerns about CTE are valid, addressing treatable conditions may help alleviate these symptoms and enhance overall well-being, according to the researchers.
“A significant takeaway from this study is that many common ailments among former NFL players, such as sleep apnea, low testosterone, high blood pressure, and chronic pain, can lead to difficulties with thinking, memory, and focus,” stated primary author Rachel Grashow, PhD, MS, from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. “While we await progress in CTE research to better understand the experiences of living players, it is critical to identify treatable conditions. Taking these steps could help prevent players from prematurely linking their symptoms to CTE, which might cause feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.”
Since CTE can only be diagnosed after death, the researchers note that it can’t be ruled out that some players who expressed concerns may indeed have CTE-related brain changes. However, they stress that former players and their healthcare providers should focus on treatable health issues.
“Until there are clinical guidelines and treatments for CTE, it is essential for former players and their healthcare providers to explore treatment options and healthy lifestyle changes that have been shown to enhance cognitive function, overall health, and quality of life,” remarked senior author Aaron Baggish, MD, a professor of Medicine at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and a senior faculty member of the Football Players Health Study. “Interventions like weight reduction, regular exercise, better sleep, and a low-salt diet may help improve cognitive abilities.”
