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Boston College researchers hope they’ll sort out the thriller of find out how to diagnose power traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) within the dwelling, as they recruit a whole lot of former soccer gamers for a brand new examine.
Former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is among the many first to join “The DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project-II.”
“As a former NFL player, I know I am at risk for CTE, but right now I am blessed to be feeling healthy,” mentioned Hasselbeck, a three-time Professional Bowler throughout his 18-season profession.
“As a former quarterback, I’m choosing to volunteer for DIAGNOSE CTE II to honor my teammates, especially those who blocked for me and took hits to the head, so I didn’t have to,” he added. “I encourage former college and pro football players aged 50 and over to join me in signing up for the study to help researchers learn how to diagnose and treat CTE.”
Proper now, CTE can solely be identified definitively after demise following an post-mortem.
Researchers within the examine will take a look at new illness biomarkers to assist docs diagnose the progressive mind illness power traumatic encephalopathy in dwelling sufferers.
Scientists are additionally attempting to discover ways to differentiate CTE from related illnesses like Alzheimer’s.
“This study will create unprecedented data sets needed to accurately diagnose CTE during life,” mentioned Michael Alosco, affiliate professor of neurology on the Boston College Chobanian & Avedisian College of Drugs.
“It will fill two missing links in the literature preventing us from developing definitive diagnostic criteria for CTE during life,” Alosco added. “First, we need longitudinal studies that include brain donation. Second, we need to better compare people at risk for CTE to other disease groups.”
Though this examine will solely examine male soccer gamers, researchers mentioned the findings will profit all teams in danger for CTE—together with female and male contact sports activities athletes and army veterans.
The examine will study new potential biomarkers utilizing blood and mind imaging to assist docs precisely diagnose CTE in dwelling sufferers.
Members will enroll in one of many 5 Alzheimer’s illness analysis facilities to finish neurological, cognitive and neuropsychiatric exams, multimodal mind imaging, tau PET imaging, and blood attracts.
The data will likely be analyzed to characterize the precise indicators, signs, and biomarkers of individuals in danger for CTE. Journey assist for individuals is supplied.
Chris Nowinski and the Concussion Legacy Basis will lead recruitment efforts. Robert Turner, an affiliate professor from Duke College, will assist with recruitment, specializing in understudied teams.
The DIAGNOSE CTE Analysis Challenge-II will recruit 350 males aged 50 and older, together with 225 former faculty {and professional} soccer gamers, 75 management individuals and 50 individuals with Alzheimer’s illness.
Former soccer gamers, in addition to males who don’t have any historical past of contact and collision sports activities, who’re fascinated about collaborating are inspired to join the Concussion Legacy Basis Analysis Registry at CLFResearch.org.
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Researchers attempting to diagnose CTE throughout life, recruit former soccer gamers (2025, Could 9)
retrieved 9 Could 2025
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