Neuroscience For Kids

NFL Gives to $1 Million to Study Brain Injuries
April 21, 2010

On April 20, 2010, Boston University School of Medicine announced that it will receive a $1 million gift from the National Football League (NFL). The gift will be used to support research at Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) where scientists study the long-term effects of head injuries suffered by athletes.

Researchers at the CSTE investigate how multiple blows to the head, such as those suffered by football players, can cause a brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This degenerative condition can cause emotional, cognitive and behavioral problems as players who have suffered multiple head injuries get older. The CSTE has three primary activities:

• Brain Bank: researchers study the brains of athletes who have died to understand how injuries to the head cause brain abnormalities.
• Brain Donation Registry: current and former athletes can sign up to donate their brains after they have died.
• Clinical Studies: researchers study genetic and environmental risk factors for brain injury, develop tests to diagnose brain injuries, and investigate new treatments for brain injury.

References and more information:

• Boston University Press Release
• Long-Term Effects of Concussions in Football Players - Neuroscience for Kids
• Survey Tackles Football Concussions - Neuroscience for Kids
• College Athletes are Unaware of Head Injury Symptoms - Neuroscience for Kids
• New Concussion Rules in the NFL - Neuroscience for Kids
• Multiple Concussions - Neuroscience for Kids
• Concussion in Sports
• Sports-Related Head Injury

Copyright © 1996-2010, Eric H. Chudler, University of Washington