The research pays a particular focus on Black males who are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia compared to white men.
DURHAM, N.C. — As the nation gears up for Super Bowl LIX this Sunday in New Orleans, medical professionals and former NFL players are raising awareness about the long-term impact of the sport on brain health.
Researchers at Duke University are taking a holistic approach to brain health through the Sports Performance Initiative.
Dr. Harry Stafford shared the goal is to reach athletes at younger ages to educate them on signs and symptoms of concussions and other brain injuries along with teaching them about proper nutrition.
“Head injuries are important but there’s a lot we don’t know about what happens, when it starts and what’s the tipping point that’s going to cause an issue for them throughout their life,” he said. “Preventing the injury is the place we want to be.’
The sports medicine physician shared the long-term hope is the efforts will help reduce the likelihood the athletes will go on to develop diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia later in life.
