Experts have raised concerns about the heightened risk of dementia and motor neurone disease among rugby players, following the recent diagnosis of former England captain Lewis Moody with motor neurone disease. Moody, aged 47, expressed the difficulty of coming to terms with the diagnosis, which was initially prompted by weakness in his shoulder during gym training. Despite undergoing physiotherapy, subsequent scans confirmed nerve damage in his brain and spinal cord due to MND.
Motor Neurone Disease, as reported by the MND Association, carries a high mortality rate, with one-third of patients succumbing within a year and over half within two years post-diagnosis. This debilitating condition presents challenges in swallowing and breathing, with available treatments only capable of slowing its progression.
Moody shared his emotional journey following the diagnosis, noting the paradox of feeling physically unaffected despite the underlying condition causing minor symptoms like muscle wasting in his hand and shoulder. Tragically, former rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow have also lost their lives to MND in recent times.
A 2022 study by researchers at the University of Glasgow revealed alarming statistics regarding the increased vulnerability of former international rugby players to neurodegenerative diseases. These players are at significantly higher risk of developing dementia and MND compared to the general population, with risks of over 2.67 times for dementia, over three times for Parkinson’s, and over 15 times for MND.
The research team highlighted the potential role of head impacts sustained during rugby in the onset of dementia and MND. Dr. Susan Kohlhaas, Executive Director of Research and Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK, emphasized the heightened risk of neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia and MND, for individuals exposed to brain injuries through contact sports like rugby. Traumatic brain injuries from such sports activities can lead to disruptions in brain function, ranging from concussions to severe cases with fatal outcomes.
Further research into traumatic brain injuries is crucial to understanding the underlying mechanisms that contribute to changes in the brain and the subsequent risks of dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK is actively funding projects aimed at unraveling the connections between head impacts in sports and changes in the brain, which could provide valuable insights into mitigating dementia risk factors.