More athletes pledge their brains to science

By Nadia Kounang, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 11:56 AM EDT, Thu April 21, 2016
Former pro football player Kevin Turner, shown here during a 1998 NFL game,<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/03/health/kevin-turner-cte-diagnosis/" target="_blank">had the most advanced stage of CTE</a> when he died in March at the age of 46. Dr. Ann McKee of Boston University and the Concussion Legacy Foundation said that Turner's CTE brought on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. <br /><br />CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma. Scientists believe repeated head trauma can cause CTE, a progressive degenerative disease of the brain. Symptoms include depression, aggression and disorientation, but scientists can definitively diagnose it only after death.
Former pro football player Kevin Turner, shown here during a 1998 NFL game, had the most advanced stage of CTE when he died in March at the age of 46. Dr. Ann McKee of Boston University and the Concussion Legacy Foundation said that Turner's CTE brought on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

CTE stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head trauma. Scientists believe repeated head trauma can cause CTE, a progressive degenerative disease of the brain. Symptoms include depression, aggression and disorientation, but scientists can definitively diagnose it only after death.
Getty Images
BMX star Dave Mirra, who was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot in February, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/24/health/dave-mirra-cte-bmx-biker/" target="_blank">was found to have CTE. </a>
BMX star Dave Mirra, who was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot in February, was found to have CTE.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/08/03/bubba.smith.obit/">Charles "Bubba" Smith</a>, a former football player and actor who died in 2011, was also diagnosed with CTE. Smith played for the Baltimore Colts, the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Oilers.
Charles "Bubba" Smith, a former football player and actor who died in 2011, was also diagnosed with CTE. Smith played for the Baltimore Colts, the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Oilers.
Tony Tomsic/Getty Images
Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Fred McNeill died in November 2015 due to complications from ALS. However, an autopsy confirmed that he suffered from CTE. What makes <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/04/health/fred-mcneill-cte-football-player/" target="_blank">McNeill's case</a> even more remarkable, though, is that he was potentially the first to be diagnosed while alive. Doctors used an experimental new technology to examine his brain.
Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Fred McNeill died in November 2015 due to complications from ALS. However, an autopsy confirmed that he suffered from CTE. What makes McNeill's case even more remarkable, though, is that he was potentially the first to be diagnosed while alive. Doctors used an experimental new technology to examine his brain.
Courtsy McNeill Family
Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, a former NFL MVP who died in July 2015, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/03/health/ken-stabler-cte/" target="_blank">suffered from CTE,</a> researchers at Boston University said.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, a former NFL MVP who died in July 2015, suffered from CTE, researchers at Boston University said.
Robert Riger/Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend before killing himself in December 2012. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/29/health/jovan-belcher-cte/" target="_blank">Pathology reports</a> show he probably had CTE.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend before killing himself in December 2012. Pathology reports show he probably had CTE.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Hall of Fame offensive lineman Mike Webster was the first former NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE. After his retirement, Webster suffered from amnesia, dementia, depression, and bone and muscle pain.
Hall of Fame offensive lineman Mike Webster was the first former NFL player to be diagnosed with CTE. After his retirement, Webster suffered from amnesia, dementia, depression, and bone and muscle pain.
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
The death of 36-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Justin Strzelczyk put the link between football and CTE in the national spotlight. Strzelczyk was <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/sports/football/15brain.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">killed in a 2004 car crash</a> crash after a 40-mile high-speed chase with police in New York.
The death of 36-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Justin Strzelczyk put the link between football and CTE in the national spotlight. Strzelczyk was killed in a 2004 car crash crash after a 40-mile high-speed chase with police in New York.
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Evidence of CTE was found in the brain of football player Lew Carpenter after his death in 2010 at the age of 78.
Evidence of CTE was found in the brain of football player Lew Carpenter after his death in 2010 at the age of 78.
Henry Barr Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images
Pro Football Hall of Famer Louis Creekmur, who played for the Detroit Lions from 1950 to 1959, suffered decades of cognitive decline before his death.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Louis Creekmur, who played for the Detroit Lions from 1950 to 1959, suffered decades of cognitive decline before his death.
Bob D'Olivo/Source Interlink Media/Getty Images
Linebacker John Grimsley of the Houston Oilers died of an accidental gunshot wound to the chest in 2008. Analysis of his brain tissue confirmed damage to the neurofibrillary tangles that had begun to affect his behavior and memory.
Linebacker John Grimsley of the Houston Oilers died of an accidental gunshot wound to the chest in 2008. Analysis of his brain tissue confirmed damage to the neurofibrillary tangles that had begun to affect his behavior and memory.
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Chris Henry played five seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals before dying at the age of 26. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/07/02/brain.damage.henry/index.html" target="_blank">He died after falling from the bed of a moving pickup</a> during a fight with his fiancée. His young age prompted concern over how quickly athletes start to suffer from CTE.
Chris Henry played five seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals before dying at the age of 26. He died after falling from the bed of a moving pickup during a fight with his fiancée. His young age prompted concern over how quickly athletes start to suffer from CTE.
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Offensive lineman Terry Long of the Pittsburgh Steelers committed suicide by drinking antifreeze. Although the antifreeze caused swelling of the brain, football-related brain injuries were a contributing factor to his death.
Offensive lineman Terry Long of the Pittsburgh Steelers committed suicide by drinking antifreeze. Although the antifreeze caused swelling of the brain, football-related brain injuries were a contributing factor to his death.
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey suffered from dementia for years before dying at the age of 69.
Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey suffered from dementia for years before dying at the age of 69.
Richard Stagg/Getty Images
Ollie Matson, who played 14 NFL seasons starting in the 1950s, suffered from dementia until his death in 2011.
Ollie Matson, who played 14 NFL seasons starting in the 1950s, suffered from dementia until his death in 2011.
SN Archive/Getty
Andre Waters spent most of his 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before his suicide at age 44.
Andre Waters spent most of his 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before his suicide at age 44.
George Gojkovich/Getty Images
Tom McHale of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, right, died in 2008 <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/26/athlete.brains/index.html">of an apparent drug overdose</a> at the age of 45.
Tom McHale of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, right, died in 2008 of an apparent drug overdose at the age of 45.
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Junior Seau <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/10/health/seau-brain-disease">took his own life</a> in 2012 at the age of 43. The question of CTE came up immediately after his death; scientists at the National Institutes of Health confirmed the diagnosis in January 2013.
Junior Seau took his own life in 2012 at the age of 43. The question of CTE came up immediately after his death; scientists at the National Institutes of Health confirmed the diagnosis in January 2013.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Pro wrestler Chris Benoit was found dead at his suburban Atlanta home along with his wife, Nancy, and son in an apparent murder-suicide. Testing found that the damage to his brain was similar to that of an elderly Alzheimer's patient.
Pro wrestler Chris Benoit was found dead at his suburban Atlanta home along with his wife, Nancy, and son in an apparent murder-suicide. Testing found that the damage to his brain was similar to that of an elderly Alzheimer's patient.
Darryl Dyck/Edmonton Sun/AP
Reggie Fleming, who played for six NHL teams, was the first hockey player to be diagnosed with CTE.
Reggie Fleming, who played for six NHL teams, was the first hockey player to be diagnosed with CTE.
New York Rangers/AP
Hockey player Bob Probert was found to have CTE after dying of heart failure at the age of 45.
Hockey player Bob Probert was found to have CTE after dying of heart failure at the age of 45.
B Bennett/Getty Images
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/15/health/baseball-ryan-freel-cte-suicide/">Ryan Freel </a>became the first Major League Baseball player to be diagnosed with CTE nearly a year after he committed suicide at age 36.
Ryan Freel became the first Major League Baseball player to be diagnosed with CTE nearly a year after he committed suicide at age 36.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Athletes and CTE

Story highlights

Nancy Hogheads-Makar and Phil Villapiano say they will donate their brains to science

Brains of more than 90% of former football players have been found to have CTE

CNN  — 

Three-time Olympic gold-medal swimmer Nancy Hogshead-Makar and former Oakland Raider linebacker Phil Villapiano announced on Wednesday that they will be donating their brains to science.

They are part of a growing number of professional athletes concerned about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE, a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated hits to the head.

A devastating disease

cte explainer sanjay gupta orig mg_00005826.jpg
cte explainer sanjay gupta orig mg_00005826.jpg

Related article NFL acknowledges CTE link with football. Now what?

CTE can result in Alzheimer’s-like symptoms such as aggression, memory loss and mood swings. It can also potentially lead to suicide. The only way to definitively diagnose the disease is after death. Scientists are trying to find a way to identify CTE in the living and develop a treatment.

Hogshead-Makar and Villapiano join Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Eric Winston, soccer player Brandi Chastain, NASCAR and racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. in promising their brains to the Department of Veterans Affairs-Boston University CLF Brain bank. Their announcement was part of the VA’s Brain Trust, an event bringing together researchers, policy makers, athletes, clinicians, and private industry leaders together to tackle the issues of brain trauma.

Dr. Ann McKee, who helps lead the work at the brain bank, has found the disease in 200 people, ranging from high school to professional football players, boxers, and veterans. “It’s much more common than we want to realize,” said McKee. McKee has documented the disease in the brains of more than 90% of former professional football players. San Diego Charger Junior Seau and the Chicago Bears’ Dave Duerson were diagnosed with CTE. Earlier this year, it was found that both former Minnesota Vikings Fred McNeill and NFL Hall of Famer Ken Stabler also had the disease.

Leaving a legacy for future athletes

Phil Villapiano, shown in 1977, played for the Oakland Raiders.
Phil Villapiano, shown in 1977, played for the Oakland Raiders.
NFL/AP

Villapiano was teammates with Stabler on the Raiders in the early 1980s and was shocked to hear of his teammate’s diagnosis.

After hearing the news, Villapiano said he immediately called Stabler’s girlfriend and asked how he could donate his brain.

He knew his head had taken some hits in his career.

Olympic swimmer Nancy Hogshead-Makar promise her brain to science.
Olympic swimmer Nancy Hogshead-Makar promise her brain to science.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for the Women's Sports Foundation

“When you make the perfect tackle, it’s like hitting the perfect drive. If you hit a guy with your helmet right in the ear hole, it will ‘whop!’” It’s such a great sound,” he said. “How stupid is that? I loved it though.”

But it’s hard to watch his son play in college now. “I don’t tell him I’m scared for him.”

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    Hogshead-Makar won three Olympic golds and a silver medal in the the 1984 Olympic Games, making her the most decorated swimmer of the 1984 games.

    While CTE has not been documented in a swimmer, Hogshead-Makar said that she was donating her brain in hopes of advancing the research around the disease and to make sports safer for all children. “We don’t want it to just be about football and men’s basketball. This is a youth sport movement,” she said.