Reference no: EM133261396

The underlying mechanisms between TBI and these neurodegenerative diseases remain unknown. One of the reasons why TBI has been considered to increase the risk of AD is that they share similar pathological features and a clinical course involving a dementing process. Two main pathological hallmarks of AD are the extracellular deposition of AB aggregates and hyperphosphorylation of a protein called tau. Over time. tau protein fibers accumulate forming neuro?brillary tangles {NFT s). These tangles are often detected after TBI in combat- experienced military veterans and professional sports players at high risk of repetitive head injury. such as American football players. boxers. and wrestlers. Study of more than 2.500 former NFL players by the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes at UNC found that cognitive impairment. dementia. and depression rose proportionately with the number of concussions they had sustained {Guskiewicz et al.. 2003, 2005. 2007). Those who had sustained 3 or more concussions were more likely to experience "signi?cant memory problems" and 5 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment. How might the NFL counter this data?

1. Before recommending drastic changes or additional rules for athletes, what type of evidence or experiments would you need to see linking concussions to CTE and depression?

2. If you were a scientist looking for evidence on how to demonstrate the composition of the NFTs. what experiments would you perform? Describe it.