"When a senior coroner declared on Monday that repeatedly heading footballs "likely" contributed to the brain disease which was a factor in the death of former Leeds United and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen, the relationship between heading and neurodegenerative illnesses was thrown into the spotlight again. The link between heading and brain injuries relates to an illness called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is caused by repeated head impacts, and which McQueen was found to have suffered from, alongside vascular dementia."
"CTE can only be diagnosed after death, following analysis of the brain, which typically shows protein deposits and other types of damage which are caused by head injuries. Research has shown that athletes such as footballers, rugby players and fighters have a significantly higher risk of developing CTE than the general population. The verdict in McQueen's case has led to renewed calls for football to take more action on brain injuries."
Repeated heading in football is linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease caused by repeated head impacts and diagnosable only after death through brain analysis showing protein deposits and other damage. Research shows athletes in contact sports, including footballers, rugby players and fighters, have a significantly higher risk of CTE and other neurodegenerative disorders than the general population. High-profile cases, including Gordon McQueen and Jeff Astle, have been directly linked to CTE, prompting renewed calls for football to take stronger action on brain injuries and concussion protocols.
Read at www.bbc.com
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