Rugby and other sports 'linked to early onset dementia'

[klr]

In fact, Rugby (Union) may not be the worst affected sport ...

Rugby 'linked to early onset dementia'

A brain injuries expert has discovered what he believes to be the first confirmed case of early onset dementia caused by playing rugby.

Dr Willie Stewart said the discovery suggested "one or two" players competing in the Six Nations every year may go on to develop the condition.

The neuropathologist examined brain tissue for abnormal proteins associated with head injuries and dementia.

The former rugby player had higher levels than a retired amateur boxer.

The boxer had been diagnosed with dementia pugilistica - more commonly known as punch drunk syndrome - which is thought to affect up to 20% of boxers who retire after long careers.

Symptoms, which usually appear between 12 and 16 years after the boxer's career begins, can include memory, speech and personality problems, tremors and a lack of coordination.

The condition has been recognised for more than a century, and until recently had been thought to only affect boxers who suffered repeated concussive injuries through being punched in the face.

But Dr Stewart, a consultant at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, said: "What we are finding now is that it is not just in boxers. We are seeing it in other sports where athletes are exposed to head injury in high levels.

"Those sports include American football, ice hockey and also now I have to say I have seen a case, the same pathology, in somebody whose exposure was rugby."

American football

The rugby player was aged in his 50s and had early onset dementia. He had a number of abnormal proteins in a section of his brain which was comparable to a young man who had suffered a "moderate to severe" head injury in an assault.

Dr Stewart said the percentage of rugby players affected was likely to be far lower than sports such as boxing, American football and ice hockey, where competitors are more likely to suffer repeated head trauma and concussions.

But he told BBC Radio Scotland's Sport Nation programme: "I think on current evidence coming from American studies, from looking at American football, our historical evidence looking at boxers throughout the world, I think it would be foolish to think there will be no problem and that rugby is immune from brain damage.

...

continued: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-23545796

[John_fi_Skye]

I did play a bit of rugby at school. Is that what's wrong with me? I thought it was the whisky......

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Playing, or just watching?

[Svartalf]

watchers can't get early dementia from it, they don't have brains to damage in the first place.

[Cormac]

It is also associated with bacteria present in the average person's mouth.

[rainbow]

The real question is - does rugby cause brain damage, or does brain damage cause rugby?

[Svartalf]

Do kuru afflicted cannibals play rugby?

[laklak]

Gosh, troglodytic mesomorphs repeatedly bashing their heads together can result in drain bamage? Why, who would ever have thought.

[JimC]

It is also a possible issue for Aussie Rules football, which tends to get a bit physical at times...

[klr]

NFL and players reach '$765m concussion settlement'

The National Football League and former players who say it hid the dangers of concussion have reached a $765m (£490m) settlement, a judge says.

The NFL would pay the sum to fund concussion-related compensation, medical exams and research.

Federal Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia announced the deal after months of court-ordered mediation.

More than 4,500 former players had sued the league, alleging it concealed the risks of long-term brain damage.

...

continued: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23885571

[piscator]

The real question is - does rugby cause brain damage, or does brain damage cause rugby?

I think it's definitely pre hoc, ergo propter hoc.

[Cormac]

In other news, life causes all known diseases...



Rugby is the greatest team sport this world has yet invented.

Mixed martial arts is the greatest sport of all time.

You're all just miffed coz you couldn't play rugby.

[Tyrannical]

Do kuru afflicted cannibals play rugby?

That made me laugh

[JimC]

In other news, life causes all known diseases...



Rugby is the greatest team sport this world has yet invented.

Mixed martial arts is the greatest sport of all time.

You're all just miffed coz you couldn't play rugby.

Combine the two and you have Aussie Rules Football...

[Clinton Huxley]

In other news, life causes all known diseases...



Rugby is the greatest team sport this world has yet invented.

Mixed martial arts is the greatest sport of all time.

You're all just miffed coz you couldn't play rugby.

I hated playing rugby at school but it was good for the grey matter - at any given moment I had to work out the position on the field that the ball was least likely to come to.....and be there. It was almost exactly but not quite entirely unlike chess.