The Screening Cognitive Outcomes after Repetitive Head Impact Exposure in Sport (Scores) project, run by UEA, aims to screen former footballers’ brain health for evidence of dementia that may appear long before any other symptoms, such as memory problems, become apparent.
It will begin in the eastern region but will be rolled out nationally later this year and retired footballers, whether men or women, aged over 50 are being sought to take part.
“For many years, families and campaigning charities such as Headway have been demanding research into the long-term effects of repeatedly heading footballs,” said Catherine Maddy, Director of Communications at Headway – the brain injury association.
“We welcome the work done by UEA but its is vital that this research is accompanied by other studies which focus on the relative risks of heading lightweight modern footballs."
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