Vanderbilt University researchers worked with Harvard University to publish a study revealing about 1 out of every 3 former professional NFL players believe they have Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, known as CTE.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Vanderbilt University researchers worked with Harvard University to publish a study revealing about one out of every three former professional NFL players believe they have Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, known as CTE.
The insight came a day before retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre told a Congressional committee Tuesday he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This disclosure was part of his testimony about a welfare misspending scandal in Mississippi tied to a Biotech firm that said it was developing concussion treatments.
“I think that everyone is interested in football and health of former professional football players,” said Dr. Douglas Terry, assistant professor and clinical neuropsychologist in the Department of Neurological Surgery and co-director of the Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center. “These are individuals who have spent their entire childhood and teenage years and early adulthood dedicated to the sport of football.”
Researchers surveyed 1,980 retired professional football players and found 34% of them believed they had CTE. This is not a study of whether or not they truly have it because the actual presence of CTE can only be diagnosed after death. This is their perception of whether or not they have it based on everything that they’ve consumed.
The study also revealed suicidality was reported by 25% of players who believed they had CTE, versus 5% in players who do not believe they have CTE.
“We found group differences in their overall health and cycle health profiles related to those who believe they have CTE, had greater cognitive issues, things like memory issues,” said Dr. Terry. “They had higher rates of low testosterone. They had higher rates of chronic pain and a variety of other things that can influence their overall quality of life.”
He explained that while there’s still a lot to learn about CTE, this specific study highlights that there are a variety of other factors that might be driving cognitive, motor or mental health issues.
“There might be other treatable health problems that are causing health issues, health problems like low testosterone or sleep apnea or chronic pain, those types of things can be causing cognitive issues or psychological health issues, and people might misattribute those to CTE itself,” Dr. Terry told News 2. “The bottom line of this study is saying, hey, go get checked out.”
Dr. Terry added the study highlighted the urgent need for accurate diagnostic tools and mental health support for retired NFL players.
“We must work to ensure that former players are efficiently diagnosed with medical, psychological and cognitive disorders, and receive appropriate treatment, regardless of whether or not these difficulties may be related to CTE,” he stated.