Hockey news: Longer careers linked to greater risk of CTE
The recent groundbreaking study conducted by the Boston University CTE Center has shed light on the alarming connection between playing hockey and the increased risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This study, which focused on 77 deceased male hockey players at various levels of the sport, revealed that the likelihood of having CTE rose by 34 per cent for each year played. Shockingly, none of the players who participated in hockey for fewer than six years were found to have CTE.
Lead author Jesse Mez, who is the co-director of clinical research at the CTE Center, emphasized that players with longer careers not only had a higher likelihood of having CTE but also exhibited more severe forms of the disease. The study, which was published in the prestigious journal JAMA Network Open, found that over half of the players’ brains analyzed showed signs of CTE.
In a troubling revelation, it was discovered that a staggering 96 per cent of professional players, including 18 out of 19 NHL players, had CTE. Additionally, 46 per cent of college, juniors, and semi-professional players displayed CTE pathology, while around 10 per cent of youth and high school players were affected. Even among enforcers, 18 out of 22 were diagnosed with CTE, indicating that the risk extends beyond specific player roles.
CTE is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that shares symptoms with Alzheimer’s but is caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries, commonly seen in athletes of contact sports and military veterans. The NHL has previously refuted any link between CTE and hockey, but the recent findings have sparked further discussions within the hockey community.
One poignant example is the case of Bob Murdoch, a respected figure in the hockey world who was posthumously diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE, Lewy body dementia, mild Alzheimer’s disease, and ALS. His wife, Bev Murdoch, shared the heartbreaking journey of witnessing her husband’s decline and emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the risks associated with playing hockey.
Bev Murdoch’s decision to donate her husband’s brain for research purposes highlights the urgent need to understand the long-term impacts of hockey on players’ brain health. She commended the NHL Players Association for forming an advisory committee to address CTE and concussions, acknowledging the role of organizations in supporting affected families.
As more research emerges from the Boston University CTE Center, it is crucial for players, families, and medical professionals to be informed about the risks and symptoms of CTE. By increasing awareness and promoting player safety, we can strive to mitigate the devastating impact of neurodegenerative diseases in the hockey community.
