Chronic Truamatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

[Nidan Melbourne]

Now with that "Slapping" Thread being of interest, I thought it might be good for some awareness around this disease and thought it might be a good thing to talk about. As we are in some way at an increased risk of this. 

I am not saying that everyone in the MA Community will develop this, along with other activities (i.e. NFL for you Americans, and Aussie Rules Football for me here in Australia). As we have many amazing members here who have been in the world for several decades. 

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Big Question: Who here has considered following their deaths to have their Brain donated to researching this or in some other capacity? 

As I have recently updated my will; I have included that only my Brain to be used for research. Because I have a family history of Dementia.

Chronic Truamatic Encephalopathy or CTE for short; which is a Progressive Neurodegenerative Disease. Which can have the following symptoms: 

• Memory Loss
• Confusion
• Mood Changes (Anxiety, Depression, Aggression included)
• Impaired Judgement
• Impulsivity 
• Behavioural Changes 

Now these can be confused with Dementia or Alzheimers whilst one is alive, but can be ruled out using the symptoms and family history along with other conditions. 

Unfortunately it is a common issue in Contact and Combat Sports; as the risk of repeated head trauma and concussions is quite high. In comparison between the UFC (and other MMA type formats) and us "normal" folk there is a stark contrast between the two. 

 

[bushido_man96]

I have never really given any consideration to donating any body parts post-mortem for research purposes.  I'd be interested to know what current studies of such donations have gleaned thus far.

My mother had dementia, and my father is currently battling a form of it as well.  I'm not super excited about my chances later in life.  Before my parents, though, it didn't seem to be something that ran in the family.

[KarateKen]

On 7/5/2025 at 9:15 AM, Nidan Melbourne said:

Chronic Truamatic Encephalopathy or CTE for short; which is a Progressive Neurodegenerative Disease. Which can have the following symptoms: 

• Memory Loss
• Confusion
• Mood Changes (Anxiety, Depression, Aggression included)
• Impaired Judgement
• Impulsivity 
• Behavioural Changes 

 

 

Sounds like a typical Saturday night during my drinking years.

Kidding aside though, I might have gotten a concussion during my first TKD tournament after a kick to the face left me seeing stars for a few days.  Did not get KOed or go out, but enough to where I likely suffered some damage. 

From what I understand about concussions, and I am no expert or close to it, once you have the first one, you are at higher risk for more of them later on, and one plus one does not equal two, it is more like three or four, the damage sort of compounds the more of them you have.  People do not usually see the results of that damage until later in life, meaning that the behaviors you listed do not show up as much when you are young, it shows up big time when you are older.  

Good on you for donating your body to science, it could help a lot of people who come after you. 

 

[KarateKen]

I posted this in the NFL thread but then realized it was probably better fit here.  I've copied and pasted the post.

 

A crazy man walked into a building in New York and opened fire, killing four people before committing suicide.  He had a note saying that he had CTE from playing football in high school.  It appears he intended to target the NFL offices in New York but accidently went into an elevator that goes to a different location. The gunman never played in the NFL but blamed football for causing his brain damage. 

One of the victims was a police officer who had two children and a third on the way.

Tragic and scary situation for sure.  

 

 

[bushido_man96]

I saw this news as well.  Terrible.  I get tired of people shifting blame.  He's the one that made the decision to play football.  The NFL did not force him to play football.  It's a tragedy for all the victims involved, the families of the victims, and the shooter and his family.

[KarateKen]

It would be ludicrous for anyone to claim that the NFL forced anyone to play football.  However, I have watched the documentary Leage of Denial, and read the book by the same title, and it is reasonable to conclude that the NFL was negligent in how they handled concussions and head injuries for years, and how they likely tried to cover it up.  These injuries are not just in the NFL, head trauma from playing football has shown up in college and even highs school football players. 

Former NFL RB Arian Foster claimed that if he could do things over again, he would never have played football.  Despite all the money he made in the NFL, it is not worth what damage it does to your body.  He also said he will encourage his son to not play football and go into a different line of work.  It was an interesting conversation he had on the Rogan podcast years ago.  

[Nidan Melbourne]

On 8/9/2025 at 11:08 AM, KarateKen said:

It would be ludicrous for anyone to claim that the NFL forced anyone to play football.  However, I have watched the documentary Leage of Denial, and read the book by the same title, and it is reasonable to conclude that the NFL was negligent in how they handled concussions and head injuries for years, and how they likely tried to cover it up.  These injuries are not just in the NFL, head trauma from playing football has shown up in college and even highs school football players. 

Former NFL RB Arian Foster claimed that if he could do things over again, he would never have played football.  Despite all the money he made in the NFL, it is not worth what damage it does to your body.  He also said he will encourage his son to not play football and go into a different line of work.  It was an interesting conversation he had on the Rogan podcast years ago.  

Its not exactly the NFL (that we know of), but more the coaching staff forcing players to return early. Especially where the "Star" Players are involved, as coaching staff (and most likely background non-coaching staff) are pressured t get these players to return early. 

Sports Trainers (Physios/Sports Physicians etc) are really pressed to medically clear those players. Even if they aren't clear to play ergo negligence. 

Obviously research is more focused on the Professional Level; but from what i've seen/ heard a lot more players come through the High School and College Ranks. So the trauma is increased god knows how much. 

When I played Rugby through my School Years; the organisers of the competition were super strict in regads to Scrums. Even at the professional level; if someone replaces a "Front Row" Player that is inexperiennced, then it has to be "Uncontested" aka No Pushing. 

Tackling is still very controlled; and a lot safer than other sports. When you look at all tackles 99% of which are front on, allowing the person to crumple. 

[KarateKen]

On 8/10/2025 at 2:24 AM, Nidan Melbourne said:

Its not exactly the NFL (that we know of), but more the coaching staff forcing players to return early. Especially where the "Star" Players are involved, as coaching staff (and most likely background non-coaching staff) are pressured t get these players to return early. 

Sports Trainers (Physios/Sports Physicians etc) are really pressed to medically clear those players. Even if they aren't clear to play ergo negligence. 

Obviously research is more focused on the Professional Level; but from what i've seen/ heard a lot more players come through the High School and College Ranks. So the trauma is increased god knows how much. 

When I played Rugby through my School Years; the organisers of the competition were super strict in regards to Scrums. Even at the professional level; if someone replaces a "Front Row" Player that is inexperiennced, then it has to be "Uncontested" aka No Pushing. 

Tackling is still very controlled; and a lot safer than other sports. When you look at all tackles 99% of which are front on, allowing the person to crumple. 

Is Rugby less dangerous than American football in your opinion?  

 

The coaches probably deserve some blame as well, I think that is fair.  While it hasn't been proven that the NFL covered anything up, they were irresponsible in how they delt with the situation.  They did not take the issue seriously enough for way too long.  In recent years the new rules have reduced concussions, unless maybe your name is Tua Tagovailoa.  

 

Edited Wednesday at 04:46 AM by KarateKen

[Nidan Melbourne]

9 hours ago, KarateKen said:

Is Rugby less dangerous than American football in your opinion?  

From what i've seen, Yes it is less dangerous. 

The rules around tackling are strictly enforced, where it is effectively around the waist and from the front. Anything above Sternum is a High Tackle. So there are No Tackles from the Side or Rear. 

A few people I played with, received concussions during the course of a match. They had to immediately report for Medical Assessment, until cleared to return they aren't playing. They can do supervised training; but is more about movement and cardio. 

We had a few exchange students from the US, and played a match or two with us. I remember talking to them, and what shocked them was how safe the game of Rugby is in comparison to NFL. 

9 hours ago, KarateKen said:

The coaches probably deserve some blame as well

IMHO at the end of the day the Coach has the final say about who plays and who doesn't. Also they are the ones responsible for Player Safety. 

When I was a coach (I coached Basketball), and had players ruled out due to injury. Now a few times - I had a few parents, or even club management try to force me to get an injured player to get court time because they had organised a scout to come watch. However I strictly refused, and the scout came to me to ask what happened and why I didn't play a certain player. 

Now I explained to them that I do not play a player that is injured, as it is my responsibility for their safety and if I did let them play it would just be reckless. 

However I have heard disturbing reports from various places that coaches at the High School Level push their players to unsafe levels during extreme heat. 

 

 

[KarateKen]

14 hours ago, Nidan Melbourne said:

From what i've seen, Yes it is less dangerous. 

The rules around tackling are strictly enforced, where it is effectively around the waist and from the front. Anything above Sternum is a High Tackle. So there are No Tackles from the Side or Rear. 

A few people I played with, received concussions during the course of a match. They had to immediately report for Medical Assessment, until cleared to return they aren't playing. They can do supervised training; but is more about movement and cardio. 

We had a few exchange students from the US, and played a match or two with us. I remember talking to them, and what shocked them was how safe the game of Rugby is in comparison to NFL. 

I find this interesting.  I don't know anything about Rugby so I figured I would ask someone who has experience with it.  Many Ruby fans I talked to years ago looked down on American Football, saying it was "soft" due to the pads worn by players, which I guess Ruby does not have, or did not at one time.  

I don't know the size/speed of the Rugby players or how the game works, I do know in the NFL you have very large people coming at you quickly in a small space, looking to knock you down, and, sometimes, they aim to knock you out of the game.  See Vikings/Saints playoff matchup January 2010.  The Saints players were offered bonus money if they were to injure Brett Favre.  They roughed him up, but at age 40, Brett Favre, the record holder for most consecutive starts, never missed a snap in that game.  Favre was one of the toughest guys ever. 

Your feedback is helpful and appreciated.