Brain Bank co-director Maurice Curtis said in a statement on Friday that stage two CTE had been noted in 33-year-old Guyton by a New Zealand-based pathologist and seconded by a specialist in Australia.His family had donated his brain to the University of Auckland’s “Brain Bank”.
What is CTE?
CTE stands for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a progressive neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head traumas, particularly in contact sports like football, boxing, and hockey. It is characterized by the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain, leading to cognitive decline, mood changes, and behavioral symptoms. Symptoms typically manifest years or decades after the repetitive brain injuries occur.
CTE has gained significant attention due to its association with professional athletes and concerns about the long-term impact of sports-related head injuries. Research suggests that individuals with a history of repetitive head trauma, including athletes and military veterans, are at increased risk of developing CTE. While the exact mechanisms underlying CTE are still being studied, raising awareness, implementing safety measures in sports, and promoting early detection and intervention are crucial in addressing this complex and debilitating condition.
Guyton had bouts of concussion
Guyton’s father, John, told Radio New Zealand those symptoms rang true with his son, who retired prematurely in 2018 after being plagued by bouts of concussion.
“The poor guy would spend hours in a small, dark cupboard because he couldn’t handle being in the light,” John Guyton said.
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“Some mornings he’d just sit in the bottom of his shower tray crying, trying to muster up the energy to get moving.”
Sports and head injury
The finding comes as a group of nearly 300 former rugby union players, including England World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery, are taking legal action over brain injuries.
The players allege that World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union and the RFU failed to establish reasonable measures to protect their health and safety.
Injuries from head blows are said to have caused other disorders such as motor neurone disease, early onset dementia, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
In a statement, New Zealand Rugby said it is taking measures to reduce the danger of head impacts.
“NZR is also supporting world-leading research to better understand the long-term impacts of participation in rugby including a focus on understanding any link between concussion and long-term brain health.”
(Inputs from AFP)