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Written by Lauren Ohnesorge
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Friday, 01 June 2007 04:07 |
A study of over 2,500 retired NFL players suggested
those who had at least three concussions during their football careers had
tripled their risk of clinical depression, compared to athletes who had
concussion free careers.
The lead author of the study, University of North
Carolina’s Kevin Guskiewicz said those who recalled one or two concussions were
one and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with depression. About half
the athletes participating in the study claimed to have had at least one
knock-out concussion. The NFL began a concussion management program in the
mid-1990s. An earlier study at UNC suggested retired athletes’ chronic pain may
contribute to depression as well. According to the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention, more than 300,000 athletes lose consciousness from concussions
every year in the United States.
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