[penguinsfan7]

I have been reading about many NFL players who are now suffering from dementia and are struggling mentally because of playing through concussions while they played. Now I never played through concussions and was getting hit hard while I had concussions, but there were times when I was suffering from PCS and i would get very light hits to the head. Most people wouldnt even consider them worrisome. I know I shouldn't be thinking about this, but its hard to whenever you are still somewhat struggling with it over a year later. I feel like these guys in the NFL definitely have it worst then me because they probably suffered severe concussions and were getting hit a lot harder then me, but as everyone says, a concussion is a concussion. Any thoughts.

[GlassHead]

Don't really understand what your question is about, but I have some articles for you that might answer the questions you have concerning this subject:

http://www.brainline.org/content/201...halopathy.html (CTE)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0718171401.htm (neurodegeneration)

http://www.minnpost.com/healthblog/2...earch_suggests (sub-concussive blows)

-GlassHead

[EsthersDoll]

Glasshead - these are really great articles. I ask that you please sticky them to the top of the forum.

[Mark in Idaho]

PenguinsFan,

The important idea for you to consider is this. Your brain has already shown that it is easily susceptible to impacts. This would suggest that future impacts, even non-concussive impacts will negatively effect your brain.

I was told this with emphasis back in 1971 by my neurologist. Even after trying to avoid head impacts by not playing contact sports, I have still suffered head impacts accidentally.

My point is that life will likely cause accidental head impacts. We need to avoid those from sports so that we have as much tolerance for life's little bumps as possible.

Until there is a solution to mitigate the tau protein tangles and beta-amyloid plaques, we need to not put our brains at further risk.

I do not worry about what the future has for me. I have observed my decline over 40 years and see it related to additional impacts, not the gradual deterioration noted in sports. If you can prevent any further impacts, you likely can follow the same pattern of deterioration.

As the saying goes:
A fool does not learn from his own mistakes.
A smart person learns from his own mistakes.
A wise person learns from others mistakes.

You have an opportunity to not only learn from others mistakes but also your own mistakes. So, you can make smart and wise decisions regarding your future.

Even if you experience spontaneous decline in your 40's, 50's or 60's, no one can tell you when it will happen. So, go live your life but protect your brain.