Ollie Matson, who played in the National Football League, in 1952 and from 1954 to 1966, was diagnosed posthumously with Stage IV CTE.

In addition, the BU CSTE obtained permission to release the brain images from an anonymous Marine veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, who suffered multiple concussions in combat and in sports. He died in his 20s with Stage I CTE.

The VA CSTE Brain Bank, led by the recruiting efforts of former professional wrestler Chris Nowinski, now contains more than 135 brains, of which approximately 80% have shown evidence of CTE.

More than 600 living athletes have committed to donate their brain to the BU CSTE after death and are being followed longitudinally as part of the Longitudinal Examination to Gather Evidence of Neurodegenerative Disease (LEGEND) study. Participants in the LEGEND study take part in yearly telephone interviews as well as yearly online questionnaires. They also have the opportunity to provide a saliva sample for genetic testing. Both those with and without a history of concussions can participate in the LEGEND study.

“We appreciate the generosity and support of the athletes and their families involved in our research. This pathological research is a critical step as we continue to make advances toward our ultimate goal of an effective treatment for CTE,” said Nowinski, a co-author of the report and co-director of the CSTE.