#9 Dr. Ann McKee: Are sports damaging our kids brains?

Broken Brains with Bruce Parkman

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What if the very sports we cherish are putting our children's brains at risk? Join us for an enlightening discussion with Dr. Ann McKee, a leading neurologist and neuropathologist whose groundbreaking research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has transformed our understanding of repetitive brain impacts. Dr. McKee details her remarkable journey from the football fields of Appleton, Wisconsin, to her pivotal discovery of CTE in world champion boxer Paul Pender. Her collaboration with Chris Nowinski and research on NFL players have revealed the profound mental health effects of repetitive head injuries, igniting her relentless advocacy for safer sports practices.
We also shine a spotlight on the urgent need for informed consent and safety measures in youth sports. Should contact sports be reserved for adults who can fully grasp and accept the associated risks? The episode discusses the potential benefits of reducing contact during practice sessions and employing technologies like accelerometers in helmets. We break down the mechanics of brain injuries, explaining how rapid acceleration-deceleration and rotational forces can lead to severe tissue damage and chronic neuroinflammation. By paying close attention to young athletes' complaints and employing early detection strategies, we can mitigate long-term consequences.
Finally, we underscore the alarming prevalence of CTE among young athletes and the pressing need to make sports safer. Dr. McKee's advocacy extends to raising awareness among parents and the broader community about the critical importance of reducing head impacts. Celebrating her recent win of the first annual Mac Award for RHI-related research, we also look forward to the future of the RHI Research Conference and its move to Washington, DC. Tune in to champion the cause of protecting the long-term well-being of our athletes and veterans through heightened awareness and better safety measures.
Learn more about Dr. Ann McKee and her work by clicking the link below!

https://www.bu.edu/cte/profile/ann-mckee/

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Chapter

1. #9 Dr. Ann McKee: Are sports damaging our kids brains? (00:00:00)

2. The Impact of Repetitive Head Injuries (00:00:12)

3. Preventing Contact in Youth Sports (00:16:32)

4. Youth Sports (00:20:16)

5. Preventing Traumatic Brain Injuries in Sports (00:29:43)

6. RHI Research Conference Award Ceremony (00:42:07)