Revealing CTE and its connection to the attack in New York

• Shayne Tamura left a recording about CTE before the attack in New York.
• CTE is linked to repeated head injuries in athletes.
• 1/3 of former NFL players suspect they have CTE.

27-year-old Shayne Tamura, who registered several people in New York on Monday, left a recording in which he spoke about his suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In the recording, he referred to former NFL player Terri Longa, who also suffered from this disease. Tamura, who did not play in the NFL but started in the school team, pointed out that the league provided insufficient information regarding injuries related to head trauma, aimed at obtaining benefits.

New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that a medical expert revealed the possibility of conducting an analysis of Tamura's brain for the presence of CTE. CTE is a neurodegenerative condition associated with repeated head injuries, which manifests with symptoms such as memory loss, concentration problems, mood swings, and suicidal thoughts. Diagnosing CTE can only occur post-mortem, during an autopsy.

The situation with Tamura highlights the growing concern regarding CTE among athletes, including in contact sports. Studies have shown that 1/3 of former NFL players believe they have this condition.

What is CTE?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a degenerative brain disease that develops as a result of repeated head injuries. Symptoms include changes in behavior, aggression, memory loss, and difficulties with planning. According to data from Boston University, 345 out of 376 studied former NFL players had a diagnosis of CTE.

Connection to professional sports

Research on CTE has revealed that many athletes prematurely end their careers. Many well-known players, such as Aaron Hernandez, were diagnosed with CTE post-mortem. The NFL has been linked to thousands of lawsuits from former players who claim that the league provided insufficient information about the risks to their health.

Research has shown that the risk of developing CTE increases each year spent in the sport. The number of reported cases has decreased by 25% over the last five seasons in the NFL.

Tags: Sport/American football