Box office numbers for Concussion certainly have not paralleled those of other recently-released films, but many reviewers consider it to be a very important film. It tells the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the forensic neuropathologist who first discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked with repetitive head trauma.
Parents raising young athletes can protect their children better when they educate themselves about the risk of head injuries in certain sports. This socially-important movie provides an entertaining way to help further that goal.
A Recent Study Shows High Incidence of CTE in Tested NFL Players
Last September, Frontline ran a story about research performed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Boston University. The tests conducted on deceased players who had previously donated their brains for testing found CTE in the brain tissue of 131 out of 165 individuals. The former players engaged in football any time between high school and professional careers.
Since players are more likely to choose to donate their brains if they believe they suffered from the disease, the results may be skewed, but the numbers are considered to be consistent with past research. The link between repetitive brain injury and CTE appears to be a very real concern.
CTE Symptoms May Resemble Other Types of Dementia
CTE is a relatively new discovery and knowledge about this condition is in a state of flux. The symptoms of CTE, which currently seem similar to those of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, can display themselves long after a player sustains multiple traumas to the head. Still, parents of football players — or any children who have sustained multiple head injuries — should remain alert to the symptoms currently believed to indicate CTE. The symptoms include:
- Loss of memory
- Confusion
- Personality changes or erratic behavior
- Cognitive issues, such as the inability to pay attention or organize thoughts
- Struggles with balance or motor skills
Understand that no treatment or cure currently exists for CTE, so prevention of repeated head injuries is the only known way to avoid its long-term effects. Parents need to do as much as possible to closely monitor their children’s sports experiences and ensure they wear all required protective equipment and follow all safety rules. They also need to maintain a strong communication channel with their children to help make sure they know about those head injuries that are considered to be minor.
Parents cannot always monitor all the football experiences of their children, but they can and should take action to closely investigate the school’s safety practices to reduce the incidents of child injuries. Children with head injuries generally need to be removed from play, provided with proper medical attention and only returned to play when it is appropriate.
When parents believe their injured children are not getting the full attention they need, it is best to seek legal advice before a head injury becomes a disabling condition. Call a Charlotte injury lawyer with Brown Moore & Associates, PLLC at 800-948-0577 or use our convenient online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your concerns.
