The scientific controversy over head injuries in sport

<p>At a Senate committee last year, the NRL and Football Australia acknowledged the link between head injuries in contact sports and the neurodegenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)<strong>.</strong></p><p>But a core member of the NRL’s concussion research group is also one of the most outspoken critics of the link between repeated head injury and CTE, calling it an “invented disease … conjured out of thin air”.</p><p>His views corroborate the Australian NRL’s multimillion-dollar research program into former elite-level rugby league players, which to date has concluded there is no link between concussion and depression or other cognitive problems.</p><p>So how does the NRL justify advancing a position that most scientists don’t agree with? </p><p>Today, journalist and contributor to<em> The Saturday Paper</em> Wendy Carlisle, on the brain epidemic killing ex-athletes and why the science is still being contested.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Socials: </strong>Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/7ampodcast">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a></p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Journalist and contributor to T<em>he Saturday Paper,</em> Wendy Carlisle.</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>