Study Finds CTE in Quarter of Deceased Former NFL Players
研究發現四分之一的已故前 NFL 球員患有慢性創傷性腦病變
更新於: 2026年8月26日 上午02:15
A recent study published in The BMJ has shed new light on the health risks facing former NFL players.
近期發表於《英國醫學期刊》(The BMJ) 的一項研究，對前 NFL 球員所面臨的健康風險有了新的見解。
By examining the brains of athletes who passed away between 2016 and 2021, researchers discovered that at least 24.5%—roughly one in four—suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
研究人員檢視了 2016 年至 2021 年間過世的運動員大腦，發現至少有 24.5%的運動員患有慢性創傷性腦病變 (CTE)。
Daniel Daneshvar describes this figure as a conservative estimate, noting that the true prevalence could potentially be much higher.
由於慢性創傷性腦病變 (CTE) 只能在死後進行確診，這項研究有助於縮小小型腦庫研究與更廣大過世球員群體之間的差距。
Because CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death, this study helps bridge the gap between small-sample brain bank research and the broader population of deceased players.
研究結果也揭示了慢性創傷性腦病變 (CTE) 與認知能力下降之間存在明顯的關聯；在患有此病症的人群中，有 61.3% 出現了失智症狀，而在最嚴重的病例中，此比例更超過 90%。
The findings also reveal a stark correlation between CTE and cognitive decline; among those with the condition, 61.3% showed symptoms of dementia, with that number rising to over 90% in the most severe cases.
專家將這種職業傷害比作接觸石綿 (Asbestos) 等重大健康風險，因為慢性創傷性腦病變 (CTE) 在一般大眾中的盛行率不到 1%。
While this study cannot track the health of living players, it has triggered urgent calls for increased player safety and further research into potential treatments for this life-altering condition.
