What is CTE and its symptoms? New study estimates 75% of NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had the disease

A new study conducted by Boston University’s School of Public Health had estimated that nearly 75% of NFL players who died between 2008 and 2023 had CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The study released on Wednesday, October 28, is one of the first efforts to research the prevalence of CTE among NFL players who have died.

The researchers published a similar study in August 2026. That study estimated that one in four NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 were also struggling with the disease. According to the lead author for the study, the estimate could help define the scale of the disease among NFL players and could inform present and future medical needs for them.

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What is CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy?

CTE is a neurodegenerative disease which is linked to a history of repetitive head injuries or impacts. The disease was first coined as “punch drunk”, according to the National Library of Medicine. The name was given due to its association with boxing. Due to this association CTE was first linked only to boxing.

However, it is prevalent among individuals with a past of military combat or contact sports, such as football, MMA. wrestling and rugby. It had also been seen among victims of domestic abuse. The disease is quite uncommon in the general population. The largest study conducted on the general population found only 6% had the disease.

CTE can only be diagnosed during an autopsy, meaning it can be diagnosed only after an individual has died. Several questions still remain about the disease. According to the CDC, it remains unclear if any environmental or genetic factors raise the risk of an individual getting it. It also remains unclear if the disease is linked only to severe concussion or also to milder injuries.

What could be symptoms of CTE?

According to Indiana University’s School of Medicine, the disease has symptoms similar to that of dementia. These can present as memory loss, anxiety, confusion and dizziness. Individuals suffering from the disease may also experience issues in sleeping, difficulty in controlling their impulses and suicidal tendencies.

The signs of CTE are wide ranging among individuals and may occur at different stages depending upon history of injuries, the location of the damage caused and even genetics, according to Ohio University. CTE is generally identified in four stages on the basis of severity.

According to an October 2019 study, athletes usually get the symptom about 8 to 4 years after they retire from their respective sports. They can see signs of behavioral change including anger, irritability, loss of empathy and isolation years after they experience head or brain injuries.

What is the new study?

The Boston University study analyzed the medical records of 2,362 deceased NFL players who played for an average of five years in the league. Evidence of CTE was seen in about 93.5% of 400 players whose brains had been donated for examination.

The authors have also cautioned that the findings of the study only apply to deceased NFL players and cannot accurately represent conditions of present players.