A new study has found that chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE, has been found in 110 out of 111 deceased NFL players whose brains were donated for research, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
The largest conducted study into the correlation of brain trauma in football and CTE, revealed CTE was diagnosed in a total of 87% of 202 former football players ranging from high school and college up to semipro leagues and the NFL.
According to USA Today, the study, conducted by researchers at Boston University and the VA Boston Healthcare System, also found the following:
"The most common cause of death (27%) among those with mild stages of CTE (stages 1-2) was suicide. McKee had said previously that Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau, who took his own life in 2012, had “at least Stage 2.”"
"A neurodegenerative-related cause of death -- including those symptoms that are most commonly attributed to dementia and Parkinson’s disease -- was the leading cause of death (47%) of former players studied who had more severe CTE pathologies (Stages 3-4)."
"Among 27 participants found to have a mild CTE pathology, 26 had behavioral or mood issues before their deaths. Of the 84 deceased players with more severe cases of CTE, 89% had behavioral or mood symptoms."
NFL spokesman, Brian McCarthy, told USA Today Sports,
"The medical and scientific communities will benefit from this publication and the NFL will continue to work with a wide range of experts to improve the health of current and former NFL athletes. As noted by the authors, there are still many unanswered questions relating to the cause, incidence and prevalence of long-term effects of head trauma such as CTE. The NFL is committed to supporting scientific research into CTE and advancing progress in the prevention and treatment of head injuries."
High profile players like Junior Seau, Frank Gifford and Ken Stabler were all diagnosed with CTE after their death.