In “NFL Star McNeill Files Dementia Claim Against Former Employer, Insurer” ,we chronicled the harrowing story of the former NFL linebacker’s struggles with depression, memory loss, anger, and other symptoms related to his violent playing days. After Mr.McNeill’s dementia diagnosis, his attorney, Ronald Feenberg filed the first lawsuit based primarily on dementia. There are studies and analysis by doctors that support the idea or dismiss the idea that cognitive decline in former players is the result of cumulative head trauma. In Fred McNeill’s case, the evidence leading to diagnosis appears compelling.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Brain Damage
According to the Brain Injury Research Institute, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) characteristics begin with a buildup in certain areas of the brain threads and tangles of tau, an abnormal protein that progressively disrupts and erodes brain functions.
Dr. Bennet Omalu: Forensic Pathologist
Dr. Bennet Omalu (above) is a forensic pathologist and co-director of The Brain Injury Research Institute. He was the first doctor to characterize CTE in American football players. In an interview with CNN, Dr Omalu describes CTE and it’s possible symptoms:
“It manifests as dark tangles in the brain and spinal cord that may alter functioning in regions that control sexual impulses, emotion, even breathing. Omalu said that among players he has examined, CTE is associated with loss of cognitive functioning, loss of language, uncontrollable depression and suicidal tendencies.”
Other cognitive related symptoms have been also reported by former NFL players
Fred McNeill Living With CTE
Dr. Omalu stated that he “identified CTE in the brains of Mike Webster, Terry Long and Andre Waters, all deceased former NFL players. When he examined Fred McNeill, Dr. Omalu concluded:
“There is no question about it, Fred [McNeill] is suffering from CTE. . . He has all the symptoms I have observed in all the other former players. His clinical profile is almost a perfect reproduction.”
CTE a Link to Suicides?
As if the symptoms were not frightening enough to cause immediate alarm in the medical community and the fraternity of former and current NFL players, Dr. Omalu found:
“The first five cases of CTE I had (analyzed) attempted or committed suicide”
Dr. Omalu has found “CTE in the brains of 30 former athletes. He stated that he will soon publish a study linking CTE to suicides and violent behavior.
To learn more about J. Gary Gwilliam's book Getting A Winning Verdict In My Personal Life: A Trial Lawyer Finds His Soul , please
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