Are former NFL players at higher risk for brain decline? new study aims to find out
NCT ID NCT04708613
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares brain health in 300 former professional football players (ages 29-59) to a similar group of men who did not play football. Participants will undergo cognitive tests, balance and eye-movement exams, sleep assessments, and high-resolution MRI scans. The goal is to measure how common cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration are in former players, and to identify early signs of brain decline.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
What this could lead to
If successful, this study could clarify how common brain health problems are in former football players and help guide future prevention or monitoring strategies.
What could go wrong
This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It cannot prove cause and effect, and results may not apply to all athletes or the general public.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurosurgery
RECRUITINGPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
Contact
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Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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