Medical Report: Repeated head trauma increases risk of brain cell degeneration, study says

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Football is a violent sport. Over the last decade, the NFL has taken many steps to protect players, particularly when it comes to head trauma and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Dementia, Parkinson’s and other long-term effects of repeated head trauma have been studied extensively, and a new report from Massachusetts General Hospital has reinforced something we already know: Brain cells can degenerate and die after head trauma.

However, the drainage of these cells can take time, and this adds to the damage.

This is another reason why it is so important to limit head trauma and remove players from the field when it occurs.

Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough .

​​KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.