Study Reveals NFL Players Face Elevated Risk of Neurodegenerative Diseases

A recent examination from Mass General Brigham, Boston University, and the Concussion & CTE Foundation reveals a stark reality: National Football League (NFL) players are four times more likely to succumb to neurodegenerative diseases compared to the general populace. This cohort study analyzed nearly 20,000 NFL players and, while the findings show that these athletes generally live longer than average, they exhibit significantly higher neurodegenerative mortality rates.

“This study presents the clearest population-level evidence of the increased neurodegenerative disease death rates among NFL players,” explains Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, a co-senior author and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. He emphasized the startling correlation between participation in the league and diseases like dementia and Parkinson's, which appeared at rates three to four times higher than expected.

The cohort study, examining health records of NFL players spanning from 1960 to 2019, focused on neurodegenerative conditions like dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s disease. It found that while players exhibited lower overall mortality, their rates of neurodegenerative deaths were alarmingly elevated: nearly quadrupled against general population figures. Specific figures showed all-cause dementia mortality rates were 3.8 times higher, while Parkinson's disease death rates soared to 3.88 times higher.

“A fourfold increase in dementia rates from a presumed environmental cause is immense — and brain bank studies indicate that CTE is the primary explanation,” noted Jesse Mez, a co-senior author and associate director at the Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

The data showed that younger players faced an even greater risk. Those who passed away before age 60 had over a 12-fold increase in neurodegenerative deaths compared to their peers, and participants with longer careers (over five seasons) showed nearly double the risk of neurodegenerative mortality compared to those with shorter stints in the league.

The study identified a concept termed the Selection Through Athletic Resilience Survivor (STARS) effect to rationalize the overall longer lifespans of former NFL players. This phenomenon suggests that traits often found in professional athletes, such as superior physical performance, tenacity, and better health literacy, may ironically contribute to longer lifespans despite the other health risks associated with their profession. Such characteristics may counterbalance other health shortcomings, pushing back against expected levels of neurodegenerative disease.

Intriguingly, the STARS effect proposes that the documented elevated rates of neurodegenerative diseases among NFL athletes may understate their true risk, as one might expect these players to fare better than the general population given their health advantages in many other areas. Notably, linemen, who typically present higher body masses and additional health risks, recorded lower dementia mortality rates compared to non-linemen.

Even with a higher life expectancy than average, the grim statistics regarding neurodegenerative diseases can't be overlooked. The study pointed out that NFL players encountered much lower death rates from cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and suicides. This pattern starkly contrasts with their increased risk of brain diseases, emphasizing the critical need for further understanding and action in managing the health of these athletes.

In light of these findings, it's recommended that former NFL players monitor their brain health proactively. Those experiencing symptoms or concerns about neurodegenerative diseases should seek evaluation from specialists well-versed in such conditions, as several comorbidities can mimic similar symptoms. Identifying and addressing modifiable risk factors can significantly improve brain health and quality of life. Various resources are available to support former players in navigating these health concerns, including initiatives from the NFL Players Association.

As the research continues to unfold, it’s clear that further inquiry into the long-term effects of contact sports, particularly in managing and understanding neurodegenerative diseases, becomes increasingly vital. The push for protective measures, along with ongoing health monitoring for NFL players, is not just an immediate concern—it’s an essential focus for preserving their long-term wellbeing.

Funding for this research came from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institute on Aging, and the Maloney/Carpenter Trauma-Related Neurodegenerative Disease Research Fund.