(WILLOW, Alaska) – Iditarod legend DeeDee Jonrowe is sharing details for the first time about her struggles with concussions, hoping her story will motivate fellow Alaskans to seek help if they are struggling with the effects of brain injuries.

“Suffering a brain injury can be scary, isolating, and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be,” Jonrowe said in a new Public Service Announcement for the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) HelpLine, which is funded in part by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

In 2022, Jonrowe experienced a concussion after falling backward from a counter and hitting her head on the kitchen floor. As she recovered, she learned more about her persistent symptoms, which included blurred vision, headaches, and trouble with concentration. Jonrowe understood not only were these symptoms connected to her brain injury, but this was not her first concussion.

Jonrowe realized her crash into a tree during the 2014 Iditarod, coming down the notorious Dalzell Gorge, likely resulted in a concussion. She rejoined her team on the trail, but later withdrew from the race due to the headaches and fatigue caused by her brain injury.

“I can be hard-headed, and I blew off medical attention,” Jonrowe said. “I didn’t know exactly what was wrong and didn’t feel like I was able to explain it to anyone.”

According to a state-by-state analysis by the Centers for Disease Control, Alaska had the highest rate of deaths related to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from 2016-2018. Other studies have shown TBI survivors in rural areas are more likely to experience worse functional outcomes compared to their urban counterparts. Jonrowe said she does not want any Alaskan to feel lonely or lost like she did during her recovery process.

During Brain Injury Awareness Month in March, Jonrowe is encouraging anyone struggling with brain injury symptoms in Alaska to reach out to the Concussion Legacy Foundation HelpLine, a free service offering personalized recommendations for local providers, peer support connections, and resources and information about symptoms and treatments.

“Symptoms of concussions and TBIs are treatable and there are ways to feel better, with the appropriate care,” CLF CEO Dr. Chris Nowinski said. “We know finding resources on your own can be difficult. That’s why we created the CLF HelpLine. Nobody should have to navigate recovery on their own.”

To view the PSA featuring DeeDee Jonrowe, click here.

Concussion Legacy Foundation Media Project launches Irv Cross Fellowship in his honor

(Boston) – The family of Irv Cross is announcing today that Boston University CTE Center researchers diagnosed the former NFL cornerback and broadcasting legend with stage 4 (of 4) chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Cross died exactly two years ago today at the age of 81. His family is releasing the findings of his brain study through the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF), with whom Irv worked with to raise awareness of the need for brain donation in 2018, while also promoting the Flag Football Under 14 program, part of CLF’s Stop Hitting Kids in the Head Campaign.

“For the last five years of his life Irv stopped being able to do the things he loved and his problems with his balance, memory, and delusions, were very embarrassing and depressing for him,” said Liz Cross, Irv’s wife. “His life became a constant struggle, and he suspected it was from CTE. Now that we know for sure, Irv would want others to learn about the disease and the risks of playing tackle football, especially for children.”

CTE is caused in part by repeated traumatic brain injuries, which include concussions and nonconcussive impacts. Stage 4 CTE is the most severe stage of CTE and is usually associated with dementia. Cross was diagnosed with mild cognitive dementia in 2018, which he shared publicly, along with his decision to donate his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank. He is one of the 345 former NFL players now diagnosed with CTE by the Brain Bank team, out of only 376 studied.

“We are honored by Irv Cross’s decision to donate his brain to our research, as we are by all our 1,330 donors and their families,” said Dr. Ann McKee, chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System and director of the Boston University CTE Center and UNITE Brain Bank. “Each donation brings us closer to understanding how to prevent, diagnose, and effectively treat CTE.”

Cross was drafted in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL draft and was later selected for the Pro-Bowl twice during his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. After his NFL career, he became an analyst and commentator for CBS Sports, making him the first Black person to work as a fulltime analyst on national TV. He later became the first Black person to co-anchor a network sports program during his time on The NFL Today. In 2009, Cross achieved another milestone, as the first Black person to receive the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.

To honor Cross’ pioneering career in sports broadcasting, and dedication to our mission, the CLF Media Project is launching the Irv Cross Fellowship. The Fellowship aims to reduce the barriers that prevent young Black media members from entering the profession. The Fellowship will award $2,500 to an aspiring journalist under age 30 to help them advance their career. Award-winning sports media members J.A. Adande and A. Sherrod Blakely of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Sports Task Force will both serve on the selection committee for the award.

“Irv told me years ago that he felt very strongly sports broadcasters needed to report on concussions more accurately in their work, which is what the CLF Media Project teaches,” said Dr. Chris Nowinski, Concussion Legacy Foundation CEO. “We are honored Irv was such a vocal advocate for our cause during life, and through the Fellowship, we are proud to pay homage to his legacy for years to come.”

Qualified individuals can apply to the Irv Cross Fellowship at ConcussionFoundation.org/IrvCross.

Legendary Brazilian boxer’s brain taken to the Biobank for Aging Studies at University of São Paulo

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL. (November 30th 2022) – Eder Jofre, who died October 2, 2022, chose to donate his brain to studies on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a pathology formerly known as dementia pugilistica. The decision was honored by his family, who announced the donation at a press conference held on Thursday October, 20th at the office of neurologist, Dr. Renato Anghinah, who managed Jofre’s treatment. The studies will be performed by Dr. Roberta Diehl Rodriguez from the Biobank for Aging Studies at University of São Paulo, the only lab in Brazil equipped to perform this exam. The study is funded in part by the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

“Donating his brain to research to advance CTE studies is one of the best things a fighter can do for the combat sports family,” said Rose Gracie, co-founder of Fighting Foundation and director of the Gracie Concussion Challenge, in collaboration with the Concussion Legacy Foundation. “He led an incredible life and furthers it with this incredible legacy.”

Jofre’s determination to contribute to research was motivated by fellow boxer Muhammed Ali’s decision not to donate his brain when he died. “Eder was very upset with Ali’s decision. That’s when he was sure he would do it differently,” said Dr. Anghinah.

Jofre first began experiencing symptoms of CTE in 2010. The symptoms intensified over the years, suffering from mood swings, tremors, and limited mobility. CTE is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by repetitive head impacts. It has been diagnosed in nearly 1,000 contact sports athletes and military veterans around the world. It was first seen in boxing, which is why it was first named “punch drunk”.

In October 2018, Gracie advised the Concussion Legacy Foundation on its Global Brain Bank partnership launch with the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil. She continues to serve as a liaison to support development, recruitment, and media efforts for the CLF Global Brain Bank and the Biobank for Aging Studies in Brazil. In January 2019, Gracie and the Concussion Legacy Foundation launched the Gracie Concussion Challenge to accelerate research and awareness for brain injury and CTE in the combat sport community. Gracie continues this important work through CLF and Fighting Foundation.

About The Concussion Legacy Foundation

The Concussion Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States with chapters in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It was founded by Robert Cantu, MD, and Chris Nowinski, PhD to support athletes, veterans, and all affected by concussions and CTE, to promote smarter sports and safer athletes through education and innovation, and end CTE through prevention and research. CLF is a proud supporter and collaborator with the Boston University CTE Center.

About Fighting Foundation

Fighting Foundation, a charitable organization launched in 2021, focuses on the well being of boxing, MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, and other combat sports’ participants. Co-founders Rose Gracie and Carla Duran, along with Lawyer Erik Magraken and with the guidance of Neurologist Dr. Renato Anghinah, were driven to action after recognizing a noticeable void in the combat sports space. Providing education, research, resources, and treatment around the world to those that need it within the combat sports community.

(Boston) – Major League Baseball (MLB) is now the first professional sports league in the world to host the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF)’s Concussion Reporting Workshop PRO for their broadcast partners. MLB hosted the Workshop as part of a broadcaster meeting during the 2022 regular season. The Workshop is part of the CLF Media Project, the first and only concussion education program designed specifically for sports media members.

CLF presented to a group of radio and television play-by-play and color commentators from all 30 MLB teams, including prominent baseball broadcast voices Brian Anderson, Jason Benetti, Orel Hershiser, and Jon “Boog” Sciambi. During the session, CLF co-founder Dr. Chris Nowinski explained how sports media’s coverage of concussion can impact public awareness about the injury and the best practices for concussion reporting.

“We were honored by MLB’s invitation to present our Concussion Reporting Workshop and applaud them for taking this step,” said Nowinski. “Although concussions are rare in baseball, every concussion or possible concussion in a baseball game is an opportunity to educate the audience about a complex injury with evolving protocols. Dozens of influential baseball broadcast voices are now better equipped to inform viewers how to recognize and respond to a concussion, which can be life-saving information.”

CLF launched the Media Project in 2018 with the help of sports media veterans J.A. Adande, Bob Costas, Andrea Kremer, and Olivia Stomski, who now serve as advisors for the program.

The Media Project includes three parts: a Concussion Reporting Certification for sports media professionals, a Concussion Reporting Workshop U for sports journalism students, and the Concussion Reporting Workshop PRO for sports media outlets. The Workshop has been taught at 27 of the top journalism programs across the globe like Arizona State University, Northwestern University, Syracuse University, and the University of Missouri. Over 150 sports media professionals, including Anderson, Benetti, Costas, Kremer, and Pam Oliver are Concussion Reporting Certified.

Sports leagues and sports media outlets interested in offering a Concussion Reporting Workshop PRO to their staffs can learn more here.

The Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) successfully petitioned America’s top medical research agency based on CLF-led review of the evidence

(Boston) – The National Institute Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), is formally acknowledging publicly, for the first time, that the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is caused by repetitive traumatic brain injuries.

The nation’s top medical research agency agreed to update its official statement on causation after the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) sent a letter, cosigned by 41 of the world’s top experts on CTE and related areas of science, urging them to review the current evidence outlined in the 2022 article Applying the Bradford Hill Criteria for Causation to Repetitive Head Impacts and CTE, published in Frontiers in Neurology.

On October 5, Dr. Nsini Umoh, Program Director for Traumatic Brain Injury, responded that the NINDS official statement on CTE causation has been updated to now say “CTE is a delayed neurodegenerative disorder that was initially identified in postmortem brains and, research-to-date suggests, is caused in part by repeated traumatic brain injuries.”

“The National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke new statement on CTE causation is a landmark moment in the fight to end CTE,” said Dr. Chris Nowinski, study lead author and CLF founding CEO. “We thank all the scientists who built the evidence and advocated for this change as well as the families of the brain donors who died with CTE for their important role. The impact of this change will save lives.”

The announcement comes just days before the Concussion in Sport Group’s (CISG) 6th International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport in Amsterdam, where a meeting of doctors, organized by FIFA, the International Olympic Committee, World Rugby, and others, is expected to debate their own position on CTE causation. Their most recent statement claimed, “a cause and effect relationship between CTE and concussions or exposure to contact sports has not been established.”

The NINDS language on causation is aligned with that of the CDC fact sheet, an educational resource created by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the general public to provide a brief overview of the science at time of publication. This resource defines repeated traumatic brain injuries as “concussions, and repeated hits to the head, called subconcussive head impacts.”

The NIH concluding that CTE is caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries, like those suffered by contact sport athletes, military veterans, and victims of abuse, is expected to have significant public policy and medico-legal consequences.

Many international professional sports organizations that are part of the CISG are facing lawsuits from the families of former players diagnosed with CTE and former players exhibiting cognitive and behavioral symptoms that may be caused by CTE. Some sports organizations have defended those lawsuits by citing the CISG statement on CTE causation.

Dr. Robert Cantu, medical director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, has served as a coauthor of CISG statement to promote improved concussion care but has been on record disagreeing with their CTE statements. Dr. Cantu served as senior author on the paper that helped inspire NIH to change their statement on CTE causation. After Dr. Paul McCrory resigned as chair of the CISG in March due to allegations, now proven, of serial plagiarism, Dr. Cantu was invited to co-chair the scientific committee of the Amsterdam meeting.

(Boston) – Canada’s TSN (The Sports Network) hosted the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF)’s Concussion Reporting Workshop PRO for their football broadcast team in September 2022, becoming one of the first major sports outlets to offer the training. TSN hosted the Workshop for their on-air and production teams who cover the NFL and CFL. TSN is the second sports media organization in the world and first Canadian media organization to offer the Workshop PRO. The Workshop PRO is part of the CLF Media Project, the first and only concussion education program designed specifically for sports media members.

“We are always looking to augment our reporting on key issues in the world of sports, and the CLF’s Concussion Reporting Workshop PRO was a valuable resource for our football production teams,” said Ken Volden, Executive Producer, TSN. “Concussions are an extremely significant issue impacting many sports, and the workshop improved our ability to educate fans and keep them informed on the most up-to-date recommendations. We look forward to participating in additional workshops with CLF in the future.”

CLF presented to a group of TSN’s football play-by-play voices, game analysts, and production team members. During the hour-long session, CLF’s education programs manager Brandon Boyd explained the basics of concussion and outlined CLF’s concussion reporting recommendations.

“TSN is the leader in sports coverage in Canada,” said Tim Fleiszer, Executive Director of Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada. “TSN providing this training for their football broadcast team shows their commitment to accurate, informative concussion reporting. The millions of Canadians who tune in to TSN’s football coverage are now in a better position to learn critically important information about concussion and concussion management.”

CLF launched the Media Project in 2018 with the help of sports media veterans J.A. Adande, Bob Costas, Andrea Kremer, and Olivia Stomski, who now serve as advisors for the program.

The Media Project includes three parts: A Concussion Reporting Workshop PRO for sports media outlets such as TSN, a Concussion Reporting Workshop U for sports journalism students, and the Concussion Reporting Certification for sports media professionals. BT Sport hosted the first Workshop PRO sessions for their boxing, cricket, soccer, and rugby broadcast teams in March 2022. The Workshop U has been taught at 26 of the top journalism programs across the globe like Northwestern University, the University of Missouri, Syracuse University, and Arizona State University. Nearly 150 sports media professionals, including TSN’s Bob McKenzie and Dave Jamieson, are Concussion Reporting Certified.

Sports leagues and sports media outlets interested in offering a Concussion Reporting Workshop PRO to their staffs can learn more here and contact Brandon Boyd at [email protected]. Sports media professional interested in becoming Concussion Reporting Certified can take the certification quiz here.

To Whom it May Concern:

As scientists, physicians, researchers, and public health experts, we believe the relationship between repetitive head impacts (RHI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) should no longer be referred to as an ‘association’. Rather, we believe that the available evidence demands the relationship between RHI and CTE should only be described as causal.

We respectfully request your organization update all position papers and public-facing statements to reflect the current scientific understanding in an urgent effort to educate the public.

As you consider this request, we ask that you review a recently published analysis of the evidence for RHI causality in CTE using the Bradford Hill criteria. The Hill criteria were created specifically to provide a methodology for reviewing epidemiologic research to determine when it is appropriate to move from labeling an observed relationship as an association to causation.

The review, entitled Applying the Bradford Hill Criteria for Causation to Repetitive Head Impacts and CTE, was published Frontiers in Neurology on July 22. The evidence for causation has strengthened considerably in the last few years, specifically in strength of association, biological gradient, consistency, plausibility, and coherence.

The authors conclude that the evidence in favor of RHI as a causal pathway leading to CTE is compelling enough to move from “association” to “causation.” We agree with this conclusion, and we support creating policies to prevent CTE in the next generation of contact sport athletes and others exposed to repetitive head impacts.

We recognize that RHI may someday be found to not be the only risk factor or precipitant to CTE, as many diseases have multiple causes. However, it is time to publicly acknowledge that RHI is a causative factor which can lead to CTE.

In August, we petitioned the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to review this evidence and update their statement on causation. On October 5, 2022, NINDS updated their official statement on CTE to “CTE is a delayed neurodegenerative disorder that was initially identified in postmortem brains and, research-to-date suggests, is caused in part by repeated traumatic brain injuries.”

To many, this is not new information. The idea that boxing causes progressive neurodegeneration has been widely accepted for nearly a century. In 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a fact sheet, stating, “The research to-date suggests that CTE is caused in part by repeated traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, and repeated hits to the head, called subconcussive head impacts.”

Besides NINDS and CDC, organizations that now utilize or publicly support causation language include the NFL in the United States, the National Health Service, Football Association, and Professional Footballer’s Association in the United Kingdom, and the Australian Football League.

We have created an online dashboard listing organizations that recognize the role of RHI and rTBI in CTE causation, and we also list organizations that explicitly do not or have not made public statements. Please let us know if we do not have your organization listed appropriately.

We look forward to your response and are available individually or as a group to respond to any questions you may have.

Signed,

Mike Alosco, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology
Co-director, Alzheimer’s Disease Center Clinical Research Core
Principal Investigator, CTE Center
Boston University School of Medicine

Breton Asken, PhD, ATC
Assistant Professor
Department of Clinical and Health Technology
University of Florida
Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

Rhoda Au, PhD
Professor of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Neurology and Epidemiology
Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health

Kathleen Bachynski, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor of Public Health
Muhlenberg College

Kevin Bieniek, PhD
Director, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s & Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank
Neuropathology Core Leader, South Texas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Charles Bernick, MD, MPH
Clinical Professor of Neurology
University of Washington

Yelena Bogdanova, PhD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Boston University School of Medicine

Michael Buckland, MBBS, PhD, FRCPA, FFSc (RCPA)
Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney
Head of the Department of Neuropathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Founding & Executive Director, Australian Sports Brain Bank

Samantha Bureau, PhD
Director of Programs
Concussion Legacy Foundation

Robert Cantu, MD, MA, FACS, FAANS, FICS, FACSM
Clinical Professor of Neurology
Boston University School of Medicine

Stephen T. Casper, PhD
Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences
Clarkson University

David X. Cifu, MD
Associate Dean of Innovation and System Integration and Eminent Scholar
Herman J. Flax, MD Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Senior Consultant, Sheltering Arms Institute
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Senior TBI Specialist, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Principal Investigator, Long-term Impact of Military-relevant Brain Injury Consortium Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (LIMBIC-CENC)

John F. Crary, MD, PhD
Professor
Director, Neuropathology Brain Bank & Research Core
Director, Physician Scientist Track in Experimental Pathology
Department of Pathology
Nash Family Department of Neuroscience
Department of Artificial Intelligence & Human Health
Friedman Brain Institute
Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD, ScD
Joy Chambers-Grundy Professor of Brain Science
Director, Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience
Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences
University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)

Maurice Curtis, PhD
Professor of Neuroscience
Head of Department, Anatomy and Medical Imaging
Co-Director of the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank
The University of Auckland

Daniel Daneshvar, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Assistant Chair for Research, Department of PM&R
Harvard Medical School

Steven T. DeKosky, MD, FACP, FANA, FAAN
Deputy Director, McKnight Brain Institute
Aerts-Cosper Professor of Alzheimer’s Research
Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience
Associate Director, 1Florida ADRC
University of Florida

Marc Diamond, MD
Director, Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience
Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute
University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center

Ramon R. Diaz-Arrastia, MD, PhD
Director of Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Research Center
Associate Director for Clinical Research, Center for Neurodegeneration and Repair
John McCrea Dickson M.D. Presidential Professor
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Dennis W. Dickson, MD
Robert E. Jacoby Professor of Alzheimer’s Research
Neuropathology and Microscopy Laboratory
Mayo Clinic

David W. Dodick, MD
Professor Emeritus/Founder/Director of Sport Neurology & Concussion Program, Mayo Clinic Arizona
Chair, International Concussion Society
Chair, American Brain Foundation
Chief Science Officer, Atria Institute
Chair, Atria Academy of Science and Medicine
Affiliate Professor, University of Copenhagen
Adjunct Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Margaret Esiri, DM, FRCPath
Emeritus Professor of Neuropathology, Oxford University

Sir Richard Faull, MBCHB, DSc, KNZM, FRSNZ
University Distinguished Professor
Director, Centre for Brain Research
Founder and Director, Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank
The University of Auckland

Adam M. Finkel, ScD, CIH
Clinical Professor of Environmental Health Sciences
University of Michigan School of Public Health
Director of Health Standards, US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 1995-2000

Sam Gandy, MD, PhD
Mount Sinai Endowed Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Professor of Neurology and of Psychiatry
Director, Mount Sinai Center for Wellness and Cognitive Health
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Lee E. Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry Radiology, Neurology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Boston University School of Medicine & College of Engineering
Co-Leader, Biomarker Core, Boston University Alzheimer Disease and CTE Center

Michael J. Grey, PhD
Reader in Rehabilitation Neuroscience, University of East Anglia

Lea T. Grinberg, MD, PhD
John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation Endowed Professor
Professor in Residence – Departments of Neurology and Pathology
Co-leader, Memory and Aging Center, Neurodegenerative Disease Brain Bank
Global Brain Health Institute, Faculty and Member of the Executive Committee
Institute of Computational Health Sciences, Faculty, UCSF

Elisa Hill-Yardin, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Health and Biomedical Sciences
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Sidney R. Hinds II, MD, FAAN
COL (retired), United States Army
Assistant Professor, Neurology/Radiology
Uniformed Services University
Co-PI & Lead, External Collaborations,
Long-term Impact of Military-relevant Brain Injury Consortium-Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (LIMBIC-CENC)

Kenneth S. Kosik, MD
Hariman Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience
Co-Director, Neuroscience Research Institute
Santa Barbara, CA

Chester Mathis, PhD
Distinguished Professor of Radiology
University of Pittsburgh
UPMC Endowed Chair of PET Research

Ann McKee, MD
William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Pathology
Boston University School Medicine
Director, BU CTE Center
Chief, Neuropathology VA Boston

Jesse Mez, MD
Associate Professor of Neurology
Co-director, Alzheimer’s Disease Center Clinical Research Core
Boston University School of Medicine

Michael D. McClean, ScD
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement
Professor of Environmental Health
Boston University School of Public Health

Bruce Miller, MD
A.W. and Mary Margaret Clausen Distinguished Professor in Neurology
Director, Memory and Aging Center
Co-Director, Global Brain Health Institute
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

Helen Murray, PhD
Research Fellow, Centre for Brain Research
Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging
The University of Auckland

Christopher Nowinski, PhD
CEO, Concussion Legacy Foundation
Executive Committee, Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Alan Pearce, PhD
Research Manager, Australian Sports Brain Bank (Victoria)
Adjunct Associate Professor
School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport
La Trobe University

Gil Rabinovici, MD
Edward Fein & Pearl Landrith Distinguished Professor
Director, UCSF Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Departments of Neurology, Radiology and Biomedical Imaging
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

Philip Schatz, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Saint Joseph’s University

Julie Stamm, PhD, ATC
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Judith A. Steen, PhD
Director of the Neuroproteomics Laboratory | Associate Professor
Boston Children’s Hospital | Harvard Medical School

Thor D. Stein, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Co-Leader of the Neuropathology Core
Boston University Alzheimer Disease and CTE Center
Boston University School of Medicine

Robert Stern, PhD
Professor of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Anatomy & Neurobiology
Director of Clinical Research, BU CTE Center
Senior Investigator, BU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Boston University School of Medicine

Michael J. Stuart, MD
Professor, Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Mayo Clinic

Catherine Suter, PhD
Chief Scientist, Australia Sports Brain Bank
Department of Neuropathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney

Carmela Tartaglia, MD, FRCPC
Marion and Gerald Soloway Chair in Brain Injury and Concussion Research
Associate Professor, Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto
Co-director Memory Clinic – Toronto Western Hospital
Director Memory Clinical Trials Unit

Charles H. Tator, OC, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS
Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto
Founder, ThinkFirst Canada and Parachute Canada
Director, Canadian Concussion Centre

Neil Vasdev, PhD ACSF, FRSC (UK), FSNMMI
Canada Research Chair in Radiochemistry and Nuclear Medicine
Azrieli Endowed Chair in Brain and Behaviour
Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Associate Professor of Radiology, Harvard Medical School
Director, Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH)
Director & Chief Radiochemist, CAMH Brain Health Imaging Centre

Jennifer Weuve, MPH, ScD
Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology
Boston University School of Public Health

Adam White, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Sport & Coaching Sciences
Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work
Oxford Brookes University

Kristine Yaffe, MD
Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Epidemiology, Psychiatry
University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
Weill Institute for Neurosciences
Roy and Marie Scola Endowed Chair
Vice Chair of Research in Psychiatry

Concussion Legacy Foundation to launch Stop Hitting Kids in the Head campaign, new international chapter in Australia

(Sydney) – International experts in brain trauma research are calling for all global sports to eliminate repetitive head impacts under the age of 14 to prevent the neurodegenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and protect children from the worst outcomes of concussions. Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) co-founder and CEO Dr. Chris Nowinski will announce the Stop Hitting Kids in the Head campaign tonight during the CLF Australia launch event in Sydney alongside families of those impacted, and former professional athletes who are pushing to make sports safer.

“Working on the ‘Head Noise’ podcast, I learned without question that CTE is such a serious issue,” said James Graham, NRL legend and CLF Australia board member. “We need to have a conversation about at what age kids start tackling and become at risk for CTE.”

“Now that we have no doubt CTE is caused by repetitive head impacts in sports, it’s time to protect children,” said Dr. Chris Nowinski, CLF CEO and a board member of CLF Australia. “The idea that children playing sports are being exposed to a life-long degenerative brain disease is simply not acceptable anywhere in the world, especially when the solution is so simple: Stop Hitting Kids in the Head.”

The goal of the Stop Hitting Kids in the Head campaign is to eliminate repetitive head impacts in youth sports by 2026, especially focused on soccer, American football, Canadian football, Australian football, and rugby. The research is clear – not only do repetitive head impacts cause CTE but suffering a concussion in youth sports increases risk for mental health disorders and suicide.

“CTE is the only neurodegenerative disease we can almost entirely prevent,” said Dr. Michael Buckland, executive director of the Australian Sports Brain Bank, who will also be a CLF Australia board member. “We must now mobilise to make reforms to keep our athletes, especially our children, safe. I’ve seen how this disease can ruin lives and devastate families. It’s time for the global community to act to stop future suffering.”

CLF Australia is committed to accelerating brain bank and clinical research to better understand novel mental health disorders after concussion and learn how to diagnose CTE in the living by recruiting former contact sport athletes to pledge to donate their brain to the ASBB and join the CLF Research Registry. All athletes are encouraged to sign up at brainbank.org.au.

CLF Australia joins international chapters in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.

MEDIA AT THE SYNDEY LAUNCH EVENT:

There will be a livestream of the launch event tonight in Sydney. The livestream will begin at 4:00 p.m. and can be viewed at: https://slhd.zoom.us/j/62060582017

Speakers include: James Graham, Peter FitzSimons, Dr. Alan Pearce, Dr. Chris Nowinski, Dr. Michael Buckland, Jamie Shine, Natalie Foley, Hayley Folkes-Shaw, Kathy Strong, Enid Taylor and Jen Masters.

Concussion Legacy Foundation announces launch of new chapter in Australia to support patients and families, independent concussion and CTE research

(Melbourne) – Leading international concussion and CTE researchers are warning Australians today of an impending chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) crisis and urging parents, coaches, and sports organizations to take the effects of repetitive head trauma seriously. Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) co-founder and CEO Dr. Chris Nowinski will announce the launch of the newest international chapter of the organization, CLF Australia, tonight in Melbourne alongside families of those impacted, and former professional athletes who are pushing for change.

“I’m worried about what might happen to my brain as I get older, and I’m worried about my mates,” said Joey Didulica, a former Australian and Croatian national soccer team player. “It’s time to share the truth about brain disorders we may face from concussions and repeated head impacts, create solutions, and support those struggling.”

“I’m concerned about what is being said to the Australian public about the long-term effects of head knocks, especially CTE,” said Dr. Chris Nowinski, Concussion Legacy Foundation CEO and a board member of CLF Australia. “We’ve proven CTE is here in the Australian codes, we know it’s caused by repetitive head impacts, and now it’s time to act to save the lives of people we care about, from our sports heroes to our kids.”

Australian Sports Brain Bank founder and director Dr. Michael Buckland, Nowinski, and CLF Australia board member Dr. Alan Pearce coauthored a recent article in Frontiers in Neurology finding conclusively that CTE can be caused by repetitive head impacts.

“Australian families have suffered greatly to give us the evidence that shows beyond any reasonable doubt that CTE is caused by repetitive head impacts like those that occur in sporting codes,” said Buckland, who will also be a CLF Australia board member. “We must now mobilize to support families affected by CTE, as well as prevent CTE in athletes, especially children.”

CLF Australia will be under the leadership of Annitta Siliato, the sister of Paul Wheatley, a former AFL player who developed epilepsy after multiple concussions during his career and now struggles with memory impairment.

“Concussion in sports is so much bigger than you think, and the devastating impact it has on athletes and their entire families is very real.” said Siliato. “There are countless families suffering right now and we want them to know CLF Australia is here to support them.”

Symptoms of CTE include cognitive disorders like short-term memory loss, impaired judgment, and dementia. Among athletes confirmed to have died with CTE, symptoms like aggression, mood swings, depression, paranoia, impulse control problems, and substance abuse disorders are prevalent. CLF is launching the CLF HelpLine in Australia to support families battling concussion or CTE symptoms. The HelpLine provides personalized resources, treatment recommendations and peer support for patients and families effected by brain trauma.

CLF Australia is committed to accelerating brain bank and clinical research by recruiting former contact sport athletes to pledge to donate their brain to CTE research at the Australian Sports Brain Bank and join the CLF Research Registry so experts can better learn how to diagnose and treat the effects of brain trauma. All athletes are encouraged to sign up at brainbank.org.au.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY:

Media members are welcome to attend the CLF Australia launch event in Melbourne on Monday 5 September. Expert, athlete, and family presentations begin at 4:00 p.m. at RMIT University Swanston Academic Building 80. Cocktail reception to follow at The Oxford Scholar Hotel.

Additional speakers include: Dr. Alan Pearce, Jamie Shine, Joe Williams, and Anita Frawley.

If you’re interested in coordinating interviews before the event, please contact Julia Manning at [email protected]

Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada, CAMH Brain Health Imaging Centre, and Anthem Sports & Entertainment partner to encourage Veterans and CAF personnel to pledge to donate their brains, participate in research

(Toronto) The NHL’s second leading scorer, Jonathan Huberdeau, former astronaut Marc Garneau, All-Ivy hockey star, Kalley Armstrong, and Major General (retired) Denis Thompson, have joined 170 Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans in pledging to donate their brains to Project Enlist Canada for research on brain injuries.

“As an NHL player, I’m very aware of the impact of traumatic brain injuries, concussions and the link to other mental health issues,” said Jonathan Huberdeau, Calgary Flames forward. “I’m proud to support Canadian military veterans by pledging to donate my brain to Project Enlist and support research to improve the quality of life of all military personnel who so bravely and courageously served our country.”

Project Enlist is the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada (CLFC)’s program which aims to serve as a catalyst for research on traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in military Veterans to help researchers and clinicians learn how to better treat and diagnose the signature wound of war.

“Concussions ended my hockey career, but I have been able to recover. Other are not so lucky,” said Kalley Armstrong, former Harvard Hockey captain. “It is important all Canadians understand that mental health issues can result from brain injuries and research will lead to new treatments. I am proud to support Canadian military members in pledging my brain to Project Enlist Canada.”

To encourage other veterans to pledge, CLFC, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Brain Health Imaging Centre and Anthem Sports & Entertainment have created a Public Service Announcement for Project Enlist. In the PSA, and this feature video, Master Warrant Officer Brendan Hynes shares the powerful story of how suffering multiple traumatic brain injuries serving in the Canadian Forces impacted his life and caused suicidal ideation.

CAF members and Veterans can join Master Warrant Officer Hynes and pledge to donate their brains at projectenlist.ca.

CLFC recently forged a partnership with the CAMH Brain Health Imaging Centre to conduct research on brain tissue donated to CLFC. This partnership will significantly expand research on a number of brain injuries among Canada’s military personnel.

CLFC has also sent a Letter of Intent seeking a federal support to help Canada become the global leader in understanding and addressing the effects of traumatic brain injuries on military personnel and achieving gender equity in military brain research.

Additional Quotes

“Brain injuries appear to play a significant role in the mental health challenges of Canada’s military personnel. Project Enlist aims to better understand the relationship between the traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mental health. Our soldiers courageously put their lives on the line to protect us. Now, it is our turn to help them live their best lives.” – Tim Fleiszer, Executive Director of Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada

“We are excited about the unprecedented partnership between the CAMH Brain Health Imaging Centre and CLFC. We are already working together to access post-mortem brain tissue from professional athletes for imaging studies. We will now also carry out cutting-edge brain imaging studies in Canadians living with CTE to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies.” – Dr. Neil Vasdev, Director of the Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry & the Brain Health Imaging Centre at CAMH

“Even though I served in the military and played college football for several years, I didn’t know much until recently, about the risk of long-term effects from repetitive head impacts. I knew that getting a concussion required you to take some time off to recover but knew almost nothing about CTE and the symptoms one can experience years after the hits stop. More research is urgently required on brain injury, and I’m pleased to contribute to this research” – Marc Garneau, Member of Parliament

“Anthem Sports and Entertainment is proud to be able to use its media platforms to support the important efforts of the CLFC and CAMH,” says Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem Sports and Entertainment. “We stand alongside so many brave people who are affected by brain injuries; no matter the cause. We just knew Anthem had do its part to help share this message of courage, hope and education for such a critical issue.” – Len Asper, CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment

“I am all about the science. I have learned so much and encourage all military service members to educate themselves, pledge to donate their brains and seek assistance through the HelpLine, if they are suffering.” – Bruno Guevremont, Former paratrooper and diver

“The cumulative effects of mTBI are just beginning to be understood in sport. The similarity of sport to military service is striking, however, substantive research on the military members is nascent. Signing up for Project Enlist Canada will help close this knowledge gap.” – Denis Thompson, Maj Gen (retired), Canadian Armed Forces

“Despite my background in professional football and my service in Afghanistan, once I was diagnosed with PTSD, not a single one of the almost two dozen health caregivers asked me about my history of head injuries” – Ryan Carey, Canadian Veteran

About Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada

The Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada was founded in December of 2012 by four-time Grey Cup champion, Tim Fleiszer, to help solve the concussion crisis in Canada. Since that time, CLF Canada has operated prevention, education and awareness events across the country, reaching more than 25,000 Canadians in-person and hundreds of thousands of Canadians digitally. CLF Canada received its charitable status in 2014.

With chapters now in the United Kingdom, and the United States, Robert Cantu, MD, and Chris Nowinski, PhD, founded Concussion Legacy Foundation to support athletes, Veterans, and all affected by concussions and CTE; achieve smarter sports and safer athletes through education and innovation; and to End CTE through prevention and research in 2007.

About the CAMH Brain Health Imaging Centre

The CAMH Brain Health Imaging Centre research focuses on developing new imaging techniques to better understand various brain-based illnesses. The Centre is currently investigating the causes of several mental illness and injuries, including Alzheimer’s disease; traumatic brain injuries; and brain inflammation in mental illnesses. Several of the imaging techniques and methodologies developed at CAMH are in use worldwide, including CAMH-developed compounds used for first-in-human neuroimaging studies.

Dr. Neil Vasdev is the Director of the Brain Health Imaging Centre at CAMH. He is also the Director of the Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry and serves as the Chief Radiochemist at CAMH. He is the endowed Azrieli Chair in Brain and Behaviour, and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Radiochemistry and Nuclear Medicine, and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.
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