Study Links Soccer Heading to Brain Damage Resembling CTE

New research finds structural brain abnormalities in amateur soccer players, raising concerns about long-term cognitive effects of repeated head impacts.

• A study of over 400 athletes found that frequent soccer heading is associated with white matter abnormalities in the brain, particularly in the frontal lobe.
• The abnormalities are located in regions similar to those affected by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative condition linked to repeated head trauma.
• Researchers used advanced diffusion MRI technology to analyze microstructural changes in the brains of soccer players compared to non-collision athletes like runners.
• Participants who headed soccer balls frequently showed poorer verbal learning performance, even without a history of concussions or diagnosed traumatic brain injuries.
• The findings highlight the potential risks of repetitive head impacts in sports and aim to inform safer practices to protect long-term brain health.

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