UCLA study shows signs of brain injury in living former NFL players

Image of a brain scan taken during a UCLA study on brain injuries in living former NFL players.

Researchers at UCLA have discovered a groundbreaking new development in the area of brain trauma. Brain scans performed on five former, but still living NFL players revealed clues to a specific type of football-related brain damage called CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Researchers at UCLA have discovered a groundbreaking new development in the area of brain trauma. Brain scans performed on five former, but still living NFL players revealed clues to a specific type of football-related brain damage called CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Previously only found during an autopsy, this is the first time its been discovered in living subjects.

Dr. Gary Small is a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. He's also the lead author of the study, published yesterday in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.