Brain injury research 'could lead to new sports guidelines'RSS Feed

New research into the causes of brain injuries could lead to changes in health guidelines for American sports stars, it has been asserted.

Three American National Football League (NFL) players have agreed to donate tissue from their spinal cords and brains to Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) after they have passed away.

It is hoped the studies on Matt Birk, Lofa Tatupu and Sean Morey will help scientists at the Boston University of Medicine (BUSM) gain a better understanding of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

According to the educational institution, this type of illness is growing into a "health crisis" in sports, with the condition cited in the deaths of some professional wrestlers and boxers in recent years.

Commenting, BUSM clinical professor of neurosurgery Robert Cantu said: "By studying large numbers of athletes throughout their lives, as well as examining brain tissue through our expanding CSTE brain bank, we will be able to determine the specific risk factors."

Earlier this year, CSTE announced the latest developments of its 88 Plan, a donor scheme named after the shirt number of John Mackey - a former NFL player suffering from dementia.

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