The risk of developing symptoms related to various cognitive disorders are much higher among men who sustained repetitive, minor head injuries while playing football.  The symptoms and complications associated with any of these cognitive disorders can be devastating. Read more about the symptoms and causes behind these debilitating conditions by the Alzheimer’s Association below:

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

CTE is a progressive, degenerative disease which affects the brain of people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Potential signs of CTE are problems with thinking and memory, personality changes, and behavioral changes including aggression and depression. People may not experience potential signs of CTE until years or decades after brain injuries occur. A definitive diagnosis of CTE can only be made after death, when an autopsy can reveal whether the known brain changes of CTE are present. Today, there is no treatment and no cure for CTE. The only known way to prevent it is to avoid repeated head injuries.

Mild Cognitive Disease (MCI)

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) causes a slight but noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities, including memory and thinking skills. A person with MCI is at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The cognitive changes are serious enough to be noticed by the individuals experiencing them or to other people, but not severe enough to interfere with daily life or independent function.

No medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat mild cognitive impairment. Drugs approved to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease have not shown any lasting benefit in delaying or preventing progression of MCI to dementia.

Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform.

While symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, at least two of the following core mental functions must be significantly impaired to be considered dementia:

• Memory
• Communication and language
• Ability to focus and pay attention
• Reasoning and judgment
• Visual perception everyday activities

Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, and is also believed to be linked to external risk factors, including head trauma. This condition also worsens over time and has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available as research continues.

To read more general information about the increased risks associated with playing football, read our Serious Injuries from playing football.

If you are a retired football player who suffered a concussion while in the NFL, you may be entitled to financial compensation. You can participate in the NFL concussion settlement even if you are not suffering from memory loss or other concussion symptoms right now.

Our experienced team of attorneys can evaluate your case and advise you on whether you have basis to file a suit. We will be your advocate against those who have caused you harm or injury. To find out if you have a claim, please call Avram Blair & Associates P.C. at (800) 516-8073 or contact us online.