Frequent Brain Concussion Can Lead To Suicide

Frequent Brain Concussion Can Lead To Suicide.
When ci-devant National Football League big name linebacker Junior Seau killed himself last year, he had a catastrophic mastermind disorder probably brought on by repeated hits to the head, the US National Institutes of Health has concluded. The NIH scientists who conscious Seau's brain constant that he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). They told the Associated Press on Thursday that the cellular changes they dictum were similar to those found in autopsies of people "with exposure to repetitive head injuries".

The fight - characterized by impulsivity, depression and erratic behavior - is only diagnosed after death. Seau, 43, who played pro football for 20 seasons before his retirement in 2009, discharge himself in the strongbox last May 2012. His family donated his brain for research.

Some experts shadowy - but can't prove - that CTE led to Seau's suicide. "Chronic painful encephalopathy is the thing we have typically seen in a lot of the athletes," said Dr Howard Derman, commandant at the Methodist Concussion Center in Houston. "Rather than say 'this caused this,' I dream the observation is that there have been multiple pro football players now who have committed suicide: Dave Duerson, Andre Waters, John Grimsley - although Grimsley was just reported as a gun accident".

Some say that these players became depressed once they were out of the limelight or because of marital or economic difficulties, but Derman thinks the evidence goes beyond that."Yes, all that may be accepted on - but it still remains that the majority of these players who have committed suicide do have changes of chronic disturbing encephalopathy. We feel that that is also playing a role in their mental state".

But, Derman cautioned, "I can't for instance that chronic traumatic encephalopathy causes players to commit suicide". Chronic harmful encephalopathy was first noticed in boxers who suffered blows to the head over many years. In late years, concerns about CTE have led high school and college programs to circumscribe hits to the head, and the National Football League prohibits helmet-to-helmet hits.