New brain scan a leap forward for CTE research

[Plankton]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/i...leap-cte-research-article-1.2636640?cid=bitly

The image is a splotchy rainbow of a PET-scan, showing abnormalities in the brain of a former NFL football player.

The unnamed player suffered head trauma in his career, and it shows. The scan was captured recently by New York City researchers who are racing to develop methods for detecting brain disease in living athletes and soldiers — a disease that currently can only be diagnosed through autopsy.

The brain scan, made possible with a new generation of radioactive pharmaceuticals, brings researchers a step closer to understanding chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, the devastating illness that afflicted Mike Webster, Junior Seau, and unknown numbers of athletes.

 

[Hoofbite]

What what the scans would look like for people of various trades. Like a guy that runs a jackhammer 8 hours a day.

Be interesting to see how occupational risks can leave an imprint on brains.

 

[DBOY3141]

So I wonder if this comes about and say before each year the player has to do a physical, if they show signs, do they make them medically retire? Some occupations like the military, you would be forced to retire due to health reasons.