New study links soccer move to dementia

A new study by UK scientists suggests that repeated blows to the head, similar to headbutting a soccer ball, can cause brain damage that leads to dementia. According to an article on Science.com, scientists from Cardiff University and University College London studied the brains of five people who at one time or another were professional […]

A new study by UK scientists suggests that repeated blows to the head, similar to headbutting a soccer ball, can cause brain damage that leads to dementia.

According to an article on Science.com, scientists from Cardiff University and University College London studied the brains of five people who at one time or another were professional soccer players for an average of about 26 years.

All of the former ball players developed dementia in the 60s. Their findings revealed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or brain injury, something that’s not uncommon in contact sports.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) describes a gradual degeneration in brain function due to repeated head injuries that cause concussions. Even after symptoms of concussions fade, months and sometimes years later, people with CTE can experience new symptoms.

“Initially, there may be concentration and memory problems with episodes of disorientation and confusion, dizziness, and headache,” according to medicinenet.com. “As CTE progresses, behavior becomes even more erratic, with aggression and symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. Finally, thought processes decrease even further, leading to a dementia with more Parkinson’s symptoms including speech and walking abnormalities. The symptoms are progressive and cannot be stopped.”

Prof Huw Morris, of University College London who was a part of the study, said when the team examined the brains they noticed similar changes to what one might see in ex-boxers’ brains.

“Changes that are often associated with repeated brain injury, which is known as CTE,” he said.

The researchers said their findings aren’t clear-cut and there may be several other factors involved that led to CTE in the brains of the deceased players. More research is needed.