Jan 29, 2009 12:00 pm US/Eastern
Athletes Beware Of Concussion-Caused Dementia
BOSTON (CBS) ―
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Willie Baun suffered two concussions as a young football player that sparked a disease called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
WBZ
New research suggests there are long-term dangers of a common sports injury among young athletes – concussions, repports CBS station WBZ-TV.
One young football player is helping researchers understand the dangerous effects of concussions.
Willie Baun is an avid pool player and was great at community football until he was in 7th grade when he was forced to hang his helmet.
"If I did continue I may not be here right now," he said.
Willie took a hard hit he say's he'll never forget.
"The kid was helmet to helmet with me while I was covering the ball, and that gave me the first concussion," he described.
But the headaches subsided and he told his dad -- the coach -- he was OK. But three weeks later came hit No. 2.
"I dropped down to a second grade level, and I didn't know my parents, none of my friends," Willie said.
He had suffered was severe head trauma that in some cases could have lasting results, which is exactly what Dr. Robert Stern and his colleagues at Boston University Medical School released in a new study.
They found a repeated concussion related disease called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in an NFL player and now in 18-year-old Willie.
"Even at a young age, we've been able to detect the very earliest stages of progressive dementia that would then continue and continue through his life," Stern said.
Stern says it's a study that should not scare but rather prompt parents to prepare for the signs and symptoms.
In his spare time, Willie speaks on behalf of the Brain Injury Association, warning parents and young people about the dangers of a concussion
"It does start small, and then it will exponentially get worse," Willie said.
Willie, now a high school senior, says he's back on his game, but it's not football. He's sticking to non-contact, non-concussion athletics.
"I've tried golf, and I'm not a big fan of that, but I'm doing tennis now," he said.
Stern says Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is the only fully preventable cause of dementia.
Now that they've found it in an 18-year-old athlete doctors want parents and young people to take head trauma seriously.
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