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·June 18, 2020·3 min read

Clear signs of brain injury with severe COVID-19

Some coronavirus patients exhibit clinical and neurochemical signs of brain injury associated with the viral infection. COVID-19 patients who required ventilation had increased plasma NfL levels. The higher NfL concentration levels were linked to the severity of infection.

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·August 30, 2019·8 min read

Number of years in NFL plus certain positions portend greater risk for cognitive and mental health problems

Longer career length and playing specific positions put NFL players at greater risk of developing cognitive problems and mental health issues. Playing for 10 or more seasons increased the risks for depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment twice as much than those who played for a single season. For every five seasons of play, the risks increase 20% for cognitive impairment. Those most at risk are running backs, linebackers and those who played special teams positions.

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·August 26, 2019·7 min read

Concussions linked to erectile dysfunction in former NFL players

Former NFL players who received a concussion while playing are more likely to report low testosterone and erectile dysfunction. Researchers speculate the reason could be damage to the pituitary gland caused by concussion may spark a cascade of hormonal changes.

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·August 7, 2019·6 min read

Routine hits playing football cause damage to the brain

Sustained hits following one season of playing football are enough to cause structural alterations to the brain. When players sustain a concussion, structural brain integrity decreases, and levels of tau increase. Researchers say, while concussions are a prime concern for those who play football, sustained hits also pose a threat to neurological health.

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·April 10, 2019·5 min read

Experimental PET scan detects abnormal tau protein in brains of living former NFL players

PET imaging of former NFL players who exhibited cognitive decline and psychiatric symptoms linked to CTE showed higher levels of tau in areas of the brain associated with the neurodegenerative disease.

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·November 19, 2018·6 min read

Playing High School Football Changes the Teenage Brain

Researchers say a single season of playing high school football is all it takes to cause microscopic alterations to the structure of the brain.

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·November 4, 2018·5 min read

Evidence of Brain Injuries in Football Players at Surprisingly Young Age

Researchers find evidence of cognitive issues and miRNA biomarkers, indicating brain injuries from concussions or head-to-head contact, in college football players. The findings indicated lasting damage caused by sports related concussions occur earlier than expected.

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·August 7, 2018·8 min read

Study of Retired NFL and NHL Players Doesn’t Find Evidence of Early Onset Dementia

A new study, which involved a small sample of former professional athletes, found no evidence of early onset dementia.

Image shows the Dallas Cowboys playing at ATT stadium. Go Cowboys!

Featured Neuroscience

·June 4, 2018·4 min read

NFL Teams Play Better During Night Games Thanks to Circadian Advantage

A new study reports NFL teams perform better during night time games, thanks to a circadian advantage. Winning teams who play late evening games have fewer turnovers and players had better circadian regulated awareness than those who play in afternoon games, researchers report.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 30, 2018·4 min read

Youth Tackle Football Participation Linked to Early Onsite of Cognitive and Emotional Problems

A new study of football players who were diagnosed with CTE reveals those who started playing tackle football before the age of 12 had earlier onset of emotional and cognitive problems.