Overview of Traumatic Brain Injury in American Football Athletes

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in American football, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), has garnered increasing attention due to its severe consequences for athletes. CTE is a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma, often seen in former NFL players. Research indicates that CTE can lead to debilitating symptoms such as memory loss, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The NFL has also faced criticism for its management of concussion protocols and the long-term health of its players, prompting studies to investigate the prevalence and impact of these injuries. Methods: This study is a review of published research involving ۱,۹۸۰ retired NFL players. Participants were questioned about their cognitive health and CTE-related symptoms. The aim of this research was to assess the correlation between reported symptoms and the belief of having CTE, while considering other health factors that may affect mental well-being. Results: Findings revealed that nearly one-third of the former NFL players surveyed believed they had CTE. Among these participants, over ۲۳۰ reported experiencing suicidal thoughts, and ۱۷۶ were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Notably, those who suspected they had CTE exhibited significantly higher rates of depression and cognitive issues compared to those who did not believe they had the disease. Even when controlling for various factors affecting mental health, the study showed that retired players who thought they had CTE were twice as likely to report frequent suicidal thoughts. Researchers emphasized that many symptoms could stem from treatable conditions like sleep apnea or high blood pressure. Consequently, this underscores the need for better diagnostic tools and treatment options for former players. Conclusion: This study highlights the critical need for awareness and intervention regarding TBI and CTE among football players. While many former athletes report symptoms associated with CTE, definitive diagnosis of the disease is challenging without post-mortem analysis. Addressing common health issues prevalent among retired players may alleviate some cognitive symptoms and improve overall mental health outcomes. Additionally, these findings call for ongoing research into effective treatments and preventive measures to protect current and future athletes from the long-term consequences of brain injuries.

کلیدواژه ها:

Traumatic Brain Injury ، Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ، NFL ، Concussions ، Mental Health ، Retired Athletes