FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2026
PR Newswire
LONDON, July 12, 2026
FORMER ELITE SOCCER PLAYERS SHOWEVIDENCE OF BRAIN HEALTH CHANGES IN MID-LIFEKey TakeawaysNew research provides insights into brain health among former elite professional soccer players during midlife. Former players reported high levels of depression, anxiety, and subjective difficulties with thinking and decision-making. Researchers found brain differences that warrant further study. The findings highlight the need for long-term monitoring and further research into the effects of repetitive head impacts in sports.Additional studies presented at AAIC 2026 link greater heading exposure and longer soccer careers with biomarkers of neural injury, tau accumulation and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) risk.LONDON, July 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study of former elite soccer players provides important insights into brain health and player-reported neurological symptoms compared to people without a history of repetitive head impacts, according to the first and largest study of its kind in retired professional soccer players, presented today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference® (AAIC®) 2026 in London and online.
