Study Reveals High Prevalence of CTE Among Former NFL Players

A study published on August 25 in The BMJ found that at least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

The research involved examining the brains of 235 out of 878 former players, revealing that 215 had CTE, which corresponds to a prevalence rate of approximately 24.5%. The study's lead researcher, Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, noted that the actual prevalence could range from 25% to as high as 97%.

The study also highlighted a significant correlation between CTE and dementia, with 61.3% of brain donors with CTE meeting the criteria for dementia. The NFL acknowledged the findings, emphasizing its commitment to improving player safety and mental health resources, while the NFL Players Association called for increased awareness of the risks associated with football.