10/26/2009 - 11:38am

Brain Trauma and Amateur Athletes

Recent news items have brought to light the increased incidence of Alzheimer’s and other brain-related diseases in retired professional football players. The high incidence of brain disorders and cognitive decline is thought to be caused by the many head traumas professional football players receive during their careers.

Recent evidence has come out that shows that college and even high school players, players who never make it to the pro leagues, may be facing these same risks. It also raises the question of whether coaches, schools and parents are doing enough to protect their children and players from head trauma and the related cognitive decline.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a type of brain tissue damage caused by head trauma. It is generally associated with boxers and professional football players. It has a terrible effect on the lives of players and causes irregular protein deposits and neurofibrillary tangles. It has been found in the brain tissue of former NFL players who have died early (it can only be found through an autopsy). The disease kills brain cells involved in executive function and mood moderation, and only physical trauma causes the disease. The changes caused in the brain are extreme and are found throughout the brain.

But a former college player and coach, Mike Borich, died at the age of 42 from a drug overdose, was found to have CTE. Borich suffered from depression and substance abuse, which may be related to the injuries he suffered on the field as well. Borich never played professionally and the severe brain damage may indicate that such brain trauma may not be exclusive to professional players, but may be prevalent among high school and college players too.

99% of football players in the US are college players and below, high school and youth leagues. These younger players receive no salary for playing and they may not have access to the best medical care. Yet, they may be at risk for terrible brain damage because of their playing football.

Most of eight NFL players who died between the ages of 36-52 exhibited extreme emotional problems and were diagnosed with CTE. The only high school football player examined for CTE was an 18 year old who showed signs of the disease but researchers couldn’t make any definite conclusions. The Borich case though, makes researchers more confident that a young player, who plays even just through high school, could face similar risks as pro players.

This latest case fits into the pattern developing in pro players and may indicate problems that have not been properly identified. It should make the responsible authorities at all levels of the game re-evaluate what is being done to protect younger players.