The Urgent Need for Greater Awareness of Concussions and CTE

Concussions in sports are increasingly capturing public attention, particularly amid ongoing discussions about player safety and health. From class-action lawsuits to rising popularity of extreme activities, the need to address the long-term impacts of brain injuries is becoming critical. Former athletes are courageously sharing their experiences with cognitive decline, mental health challenges, and the threat of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a serious neurodegenerative condition.

Despite advancements in sports safety protocols, the understanding of CTE remains limited, and misconceptions persist. CTE is a degenerative brain disease similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, primarily associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries. Research consistently links traumatic brain injury to an increased risk of developing dementia and other neurological disorders. Although CTE is rare in the general population, those involved in contact sports face a heightened risk due to repeated impacts to the head, which may not always be classified as concussions.

Emerging evidence indicates that the severity of CTE is more closely related to the age at which an individual starts playing contact sports and the duration of their athletic career, rather than simply their history of concussions. This highlights the necessity for a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to the disease.

Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed posthumously, complicating the understanding of its symptoms while individuals are alive. Families of those who have passed away with CTE report a range of cognitive impairments, including memory loss, difficulty with task organization, emotional instability, and impulsive behaviors. These symptoms often overlap with mental health issues, leading to a misconception that CTE is merely a psychiatric condition. It is essential to recognize that while mental health awareness is important, it should not overshadow the distinct neurological aspects of CTE.

The reluctance to discuss CTE openly stems from the uncomfortable truth that it is preventable by eliminating exposure to repetitive head trauma. Advocating for changes in sports to reduce head impacts is often met with resistance, as many see it as a political or controversial stance. This hesitance impedes progress in addressing the potential risks of CTE.

Recent events have underscored the dangers associated with contact sports and related activities. For instance, incidents involving severe injuries or fatalities during extreme contact activities, such as a recent tragedy linked to a new sport called "RunIt," have raised alarms about safety practices in competitive environments.

To enhance safety and reduce the risk of CTE, experts recommend several strategies:

• Minimizing contact during training sessions, especially in pre-season.
• Adjusting contact sports for younger athletes, delaying full-contact participation until the age of 14 to limit unnecessary head impacts.
• Encouraging influential media figures to address CTE more directly in discussions about sports safety.
• Improving screening protocols in healthcare settings to include concussion history when assessing patients with neurological symptoms.
• Providing information on CTE and available support resources following the unexpected deaths of athletes.

Without a concerted effort to acknowledge and address the realities of CTE, more families may face the heartbreaking loss of loved ones due to this preventable condition. The goal should be to prioritize the health and safety of athletes, fostering an environment that supports their well-being both during and after their sports careers.