Health · 2026-10-29 · Morning briefing

Study: 75% of deceased NFL players likely had brain disease

A new study estimates that three-quarters of deceased former NFL players likely died with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to dementia and mood swings. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analysed medical records from 2,362 players who died between 2008 and 2023. For comparison, fewer than 1% of brains in community-based banks show signs of the disease.

The Boston University researchers sought to correct for a known bias in brain donation programs. Among the nearly 400 players in the cohort who donated their brains for autopsy, a much higher 93.5% were found to have CTE. The analysis determined that players who had experienced cognitive symptoms were five times more likely to have their brains donated, which skews the raw data towards more severe outcomes.

An outside expert from Ohio State University called the paper the "best attempt so far" to account for this bias, but noted the 75% figure is a model-based estimate and includes early-stage cases that may never have caused symptoms. The study's senior author, Yorghos Tripodis, concluded that CTE is a "preventable disease" and that reducing exposure to repetitive head impacts reduces the risk.

Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.

Read the sources

• Study: Estimated 75% of NFL players that died from 2008-23 had CTE
• Study Finds 75% Of Deceased NFL Players In 15-Year Span Had Signs Of CTE
• New study estimates that nearly 75% of former NFL players had CTE at death
• Boston University-led study estimates 75% of former NFL players who died between 2008-2023 had CTE
• Study estimates CTE in nearly 75% of deceased NFL players

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