More than 40 percent of retired National Football League (NFL) players in a recent study had signs of traumatic brain injury based on sensitive MRI scans called diffusion tensor imaging, according to a study presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 68th Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada. “This is one of the largest studies to […]
Brain Injury Revealed in 40 Percent of Retired NFL Players Read More »
Good concussion news! (I never thought I would type those words.) Scientists have come up with a simple blood test that can detect concussion up to seven days after the injury, taking the guesswork out of making a diagnosis. Concussions have reached almost epidemic proportions in young people, especially among those who play sports. Whether
New Blood Test Can Detect Concussions Read More »
Medical experts have been raising the red flag for years: Playing football can cause brain damage and long-term degenerative brain disorders. Now, for the first time, an NFL official has finally acknowledged the link. According to an article in the New York Times, Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president for health and safety, appears
NFL Admits Football's Link to Brain Disorders Read More »
“Concussion” is a new film starring Will Smith as a neuropathologist who discovers a link between repeated sports-related brain injuries and the degenerative brain disease known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Some researchers say the movie is bringing a much-needed focus to the risks of injury athletes face each time they step onto the field.
New Film, "Concussion", Raises Awareness of Sports-Related Brain Injuries Read More »
Participating in sports can be a great way to stay in shape, but there are also inherent risks of injury. Some of the most common injuries reported by athletes some sports-related brain injuries. Estimates show that each year, more than 400,000 athletes receive medical treatment for blows to the head. Athletes playing certain sports account for a
What Activities Present the Greatest Risk of Sports-Related Brain Injuries? Read More »
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than 2.5 million people suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) each year. While these injuries can cause cognitive and physical impairments, they can also cause changes in mood and personality that can be just as harmful to victims’ personal and professional lives. Two of the most
Certain Signs and Symptoms of TBIs May Be Linked to Damaged White Matter Read More »
Brain Injury Risks: Cycling vs. Football In a recent interview on the National Football League’s television network, Dr. Joseph Maroon made the statement, “It’s much more dangerous riding a bicycle or a skateboard than playing youth football,” when making a comparison between the risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury during either activity. But is
Sports-related accidents are one of the leading causes of brain injuries among young Americans today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year, more than 173,000 children and teens under age 18 are treated in emergency rooms for a concussion or traumatic brain injury that was sustained while playing sports. Now, researchers
Study Will Look at How Brain Injury Affects Athletes Read More »
You may know Ben Utecht from his time with the Indianapolis Colts, especially during the 2006 season when his team won the Super Bowl. What you probably don’t know is that Utecht is an accomplished musician and dedicated family man. He is also suffering permanent effects of brain injury, thanks to a lifetime of hard
How Concussions "Affect Your Soul" Read More »
Future athletes will look back and wonder at how a sport could devastate so many lives. With changes in policy, new technology, personal stories, and a little luck, tomorrow’s young football players may never have to experience a brain-damaging hit to the head. For decades, concussions were considered a minor injury—you got “dinged,” had your
Football's New Concussion Protocol Read More »