Objective Evidence of Traumatic Brain Injury Confirmed in Autopsies of Dead Athletes
As a Wisconsin truck accident injury lawyer, one of the most common injuries I see is traumatic brain injury. This recent study confirms what many of the leading expert in the field of traumatic brain injury had long expected, that brain trauma does cause structural abnormalities within the the brain that cannot be detected with current imaging technology.
Researchers and doctors at Boston University’s School of Medicine have confirmed objective evidence of traumatic brain injury in former football players that had repeated concussions. The condition, referred to as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, occurs after repeated episodes of brain trauma and can result in early-onset dementia.
Doctors can only perform their testing technique and examination after the death of the patient, looking at brain tissue under a microscope. So far, the doctors are six for six in finding abnormalities in the brains of ex-NFL players that have consented to having their brains examined after their deaths. Researchers reported that the brains of these football players in their 30 and 40’s resembled the brains of 80 year-old people with dementia. Prior to their death, all of the football players studied had suffered bouts of short-term memory difficulties, depression, headaches, and several other problems typically associated with mild traumatic brain injury.
Perhaps the most alarming information released, was that of an 18 year-old athlete that played several different sports and had several confirmed concussions. An examination of his brain also showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
As an advocate for victims of traumatic brain injury, it oftentimes becomes frustrating because current radiological technology usually cannot detect brain damage in the majority of traumatic brain injuries. This study is more evidence that the lack of objective evidence on current radiological studies does not mean the individuals were injured.
I currently serve as “Of Counsel” to the Brain Injury Law Group, a national law firm representing victims of traumatic brain injury. Visit my website for more information on Traumatic Brain Injury.
