The former N.H.L star, Rick Martin died in March of a heart attack at
age 59. After he died, researchers found that Martin had chronic
traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to
repeated brain damage, after examination of his brain.
Martin’s brain donation follows a developing trend among athletes. More than 500 current and former U.S. athletes have decided to donate their brains to research after they die, in hopes to bring attention to the brain damage their sport causes to hopefully protect future athletes from progressive brain disease.
According to the researchers, Martin was involved in 14 fights in 14 seasons in junior leagues and the N.H.L. Although he did not wear a helmet, he sustained no known brain trauma outside of hockey. He was known to have only one concussion on the ice, which led to immediate convulsions. Since then, Martin wear a helmet on the ice.
Martin’s brain shows athletes a different story. Martin was involved in limited fights during his career, yet he was still at risk for CTE. But it is more likely that other players have more aggressive fights during their career, thus enduring repetitive brain trauma.
According to Boston University researchers, Martin was in the second stage of the disease. There are four stages of the disease; the fourth stage being the most severe. CTE symptoms may include memory loss, depression and a lack of impulse control.
Additionally, Martin’s behavior before death did not reflect any signs of CTE. On the other hand, other players do express symptoms of dementia, depression, and behavior issues later in life, so after they die, their families will donate their brains for research to help explain these changes.
Martin’s brain joins 96 other athlete brains at the VA Brain Bank. 70 brains have already been analyzed and more than 50 brains have shown signs of CTE.
Martin’s brain donation follows a developing trend among athletes. More than 500 current and former U.S. athletes have decided to donate their brains to research after they die, in hopes to bring attention to the brain damage their sport causes to hopefully protect future athletes from progressive brain disease.
According to the researchers, Martin was involved in 14 fights in 14 seasons in junior leagues and the N.H.L. Although he did not wear a helmet, he sustained no known brain trauma outside of hockey. He was known to have only one concussion on the ice, which led to immediate convulsions. Since then, Martin wear a helmet on the ice.
Martin’s brain shows athletes a different story. Martin was involved in limited fights during his career, yet he was still at risk for CTE. But it is more likely that other players have more aggressive fights during their career, thus enduring repetitive brain trauma.
According to Boston University researchers, Martin was in the second stage of the disease. There are four stages of the disease; the fourth stage being the most severe. CTE symptoms may include memory loss, depression and a lack of impulse control.
Additionally, Martin’s behavior before death did not reflect any signs of CTE. On the other hand, other players do express symptoms of dementia, depression, and behavior issues later in life, so after they die, their families will donate their brains for research to help explain these changes.
Martin’s brain joins 96 other athlete brains at the VA Brain Bank. 70 brains have already been analyzed and more than 50 brains have shown signs of CTE.
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