The International NeuroTrauma Society (INTS) had a successful Symposium this year, which was hosted in Cambridge from 1st-5th September 2024. The current Chair of INTS is our own Director, Peter Hutchinson, which allowed the Brain Injury HRC the unique opportunity to attend.
INTS runs international Symposia every 2 years. They are a catalyst for neurotrauma research and education. They allow leading researchers from across the globe to meet, present, and discuss innovations and ideas.
Wednesday 4th September, was the Sport and Head Injury public session. Members of the public with a lived experience or special interest in brain injury were invited to attend to hear 4 speakers, the most moving of which was Dawn Astle’s, founder of the Jeff Astle Foundation.
The International NeuroTrauma Society (INTS) had a successful Symposium this year, which was hosted in Cambridge from 1st-5th September 2024. The current Chair of INTS is our own Director, Peter Hutchinson, which allowed the Brain Injury HRC the unique opportunity to attend.
INTS runs international Symposia every 2 years. They are a catalyst for neurotrauma research and education. They allow leading researchers from across the globe to meet, present, and discuss innovations and ideas.
Wednesday 4th September, was the Sport and Head Injury public session. Members of the public with a lived experience or special interest in brain injury were invited to attend to hear 4 speakers, the most moving of which was Dawn Astle’s, founder of the Jeff Astle Foundation.
Dawn’s Story
Dawn Astle, proud daughter of former Notts County and England centre forward Jeff Astle, spoke in detail about her father’s life, career, and how the sport he loved eventually led to his devastating decline. In his prime, Astle was ‘The King’ to West Brom fans. In his last years, his dementia led to him forgetting not only his fans and his career but also his family and who he was. It was inspiring to hear how Dawn and her family have turned such a distressing experience into a lasting legacy, striving to improve the lives of all footballers and their families.
In 2014, Jeff was the first British professional footballer confirmed to have died from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), over 10 years after his death. CTE is a disease caused by repeated damage to the brain. Historically thought to be unique to athletes who play contact sports, there is now global recognition that footballers are an at-risk group due to the impact of heading the ball.
The Impact
The work of the Jeff Astle Foundation, along with the loving devotion of West Brom supporters, has forced the Professional Footballers’ Association to recognise the impact that the game can have on its players, and the importance of ensuring support is available to athletes and their families. This has led to the phasing out of heading in age groups Under 12, and a commitment to limit header training in Under 18, Adult Amateur and Professional football.
A large study in Glasgow found that professional players were 3.5 times more likely to suffer neurodegenerative disease than other people.
Click here to watch the interview with Willie Stewart.
More research is needed to ensure the brains of all football players are protected, but the Jeff Astle Foundation has played an instrumental role in raising awareness of acquired brain injury for all players.