Australian contact sports are causing a degenerative brain disease – even if the blows don’t cause concussion

The degenerative brain disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – associated with repeated head impacts – has been found in deceased Rugby League players, and other sports also are exhibiting cases where impacts affect players like AFL.

The Australian Sports Brain Bank– are researching these type of brain injuries in order to understand how best to avoid long term harm.

Image: Image: Shutterstock : Jefferson Bernardes

Produced By: Wendy John

Featured In Story: Associate Professor Michael Buckland, Neuropathologist Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney

First aired on The Wire, Monday 4 April 2022