The Australian Sports Brain Bank was established in 2018 with a goal of better understanding chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other conditions associated with repeated head injuries or blows to the head. Using tissue from donated brains, the Australian Sports Brain Bank facilitates research into CTE and other brain conditions to better understand them. Athletes and others are able to pledge their brain to science following their deaths.
According to an article in the Guardian from Emma Kemp, the Australian Sports Brain Bank performed research on 21 brains donated by athletes over the last 4 years. The researchers found that 20 brains – so nearly all of them – had some signs of neurodegeneration. Additionally, 12 of the donated brains specifically showed signs relating to CTE. Perhaps more surprisingly, some of the brains were from individuals who were under 35 years old. This highlights the potential of CTE occurring and affecting progressively younger individuals.
Researchers also found a potential association between suicidal ideation and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Admittedly, depression or other mood and behavioral changes are characteristic of CTE. Of the 12 brains with CTE, half of the donors had died from suicide. Researchers believe that chronic traumatic encephalopathy, then, could spur suicidal thoughts or behaviors. While researchers say it would be difficult, if not impossible, to screen the brains of everyone who committed suicide, they also note that it should be done if the person has a history of head injuries.
Athletes who have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy following their death include Danny Frawley, Bob Probert, Frank Gifford, and Mike Webster.
About Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is considered to be a neurodegenerative condition resulting from repeated head injuries or blows to the head. For this reason, it is believed to be most common in athletes and military veterans. Unfortunately, chronic traumatic encephalopathy cannot be diagnosed until after death. Associated symptoms include memory loss, changes in personality or behavior (including acting erratically, aggression, depression, irritability), difficulty organizing thoughts or paying attention, and problems with balance and motor skills.
