CHICAGO (AP) – A key feature of a proposed settlement of a head-injury lawsuit against the NCAA is the creation of a $70 million fund to pay for medical evaluations of current and former college players in several sports. The provision raises some sticky medical questions. Here are some of them:
WHAT WILL THE EVALUATIONS BE LOOKING FOR?
Players who believe they have suffered sports-related concussions will be checked for conditions including post-concussion syndrome and a devastating incurable brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, that has been diagnosed in several former NFL players who committed suicide. Both conditions can involve headaches, memory and behavior problems, but CTE is more severe and most feared by athletes. Most experts agree CTE can’t be diagnosed until after death, and there is no specific treatment, although some symptoms can be managed with medicine or psychotherapy. Post-concussion syndrome symptoms also can be managed, but diagnosis can be subjective. Special scans can sometimes pick up signs, but some imaging scans may be normal.
CAN DOCTORS DETERMINE THAT SPECIFIC HEAD BLOWS CAUSED LINGERING CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS?
Testing won’t answer that question, posing a dilemma for players who may want to file lawsuits seeking to definitely link symptoms with NCAA play.