All articles tagged with #head impacts
A NIH-funded study found that repeated head impacts in young athletes can cause early neuron loss and brain inflammation, with changes detectable years before CTE develops, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.
Researchers at Georgetown University have discovered that memory loss from repeated head impacts, such as those experienced by athletes, is linked to the failure to reactivate specific memory-forming neurons, rather than permanent damage. Using lasers to activate these neurons, they successfully reversed amnesia in mice, suggesting potential for non-invasive human treatments. The study provides new insights into memory issues in individuals with repeated head impacts and offers hope for developing treatments to recover cognitive function in humans affected by such injuries.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that male athletes who played American football had a 60% higher likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease compared to those who played other sports. The risk increased with longer duration of football play and higher levels of the sport. The study suggests that repetitive head impacts sustained in football may contribute to the development of Parkinson's disease or parkinsonism. However, the study's limitations include a selected group of participants and the inability to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.