To help research, the former British international who now suffers from dementia will make his brain available to scientists to better act against concussions in rugby.
- Steve Thompson was diagnosed with dementia praecox in November 2020.
- Steve Thompson will make himself available to scientists from the Concussion Legacy Project, a foundation that works to prevent the dangers of concussions.
The question of the safety of rugby players is becoming more and more present as studies reveal the consequences for their health of repeated shocks to the head. Recently, research has shown that practicing this sport can leave lifelong sequelae, such as back and joint pain. But it is around the brain that concern grows. Former English hooker Steve Thompson pays the price. Retired from the professional world since 2011, the former international of the XV de la Rose, now 43 years old, suffers from dementia. To make his case useful, he decided to bequeath his brain to science.
For future generations
Donating his brain to science means that Steve Thompson will make himself available to scientists from the Concussion Legacy Project, a foundation that works to prevent the dangers of concussions. The latter will carry out numerous tests in order to better understand the impact of shocks to the head. The goal is to set an example for future generations and find ways to prevent the problem of concussion management. “I donate my brain so that the children of the people I love don’t have to go through what I went through.he told the BBC. It’s up to my generation to step up so researchers can develop better treatments and ways to make gambling safer.”
Specifically, Steve Thompson wants to advance research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This degenerative brain disease is triggered by head trauma. Recurrent among former rugby players, this condition is very disabling. It plays in particular on the memory. During an interview with the Guardian, Steve Thompson admitted to having no memory of the World Cup won in 2003 with England. “Knowing what I know now, I wish I never turned pro”, he blurted out.
dementia praecox
The idea of this donation to science appeared after the former player, who spent in France by the Brive club, was diagnosed with early dementia in November 2020. A shock which led him, with nearly around 100 former players to take legal action against World Rugby, England and Welsh Rugby, which they accuse of mishandling concussions.
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