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Experts discover trigger for deadly motor neurone disease...

and the reason may even hit 'healthy' young men READ MORE: Scientists develop test that may detect dementia nine years earlier By Emily Stearn, Health Reporter For Mailonline Published: 05:31 EDT, 18 July 2024 | Updated: 05:42 EDT, 18 July 2024 e-mail View comments Fresh concerns have been raised over the safety of contact sports after experts uncovered evidence that young rugby players who suffered head injuries were at risk of deadly motor neurone disease. In two trials, British and US scientists also linked sports-related concussions with dementia and Parkinson-like problems, including tremours and movement difficulty in later life. The UK experts discovered found players who had been concussed had higher levels of proteins in their blood that may make them more prone to developing the diseases.



The findings come after the death of Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow, 41, after a four-and-a-half-year battle with motor neurone disease. The rare and incurable condition affects the brain and nerves, robbing sufferers of their ability to move, to eat and eventually breathe. British scientists discovered that players who had had five or more concussions over their careers had higher levels of certain proteins in their blood, linked to conditions including Alzheimer's and even motor neurone disease.

It comes as Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow (pictured) died last month at the age of just 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle wi.

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