For the first time in New Zealand, a professional rugby player has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Billy Guyton, who represented the New Zealand Maoris, played for the Blues in Super Rugby and had spells with the Hurricanes and Crusaders, died in May aged 33.
Guyton’s brain was donated to the University of Auckland Brain Bank. On Monday, his family received a summary of the results, the first of which detailed “changes consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.” Associate Professor Michael Buckland, founder and director of the Australian Sports Brain Bank, confirmed the diagnosis as stage 2 CTE, which falls between the mild (stage 1) and severe (stage 4) spectrum of this degenerative disease.
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Professor Maurice Curtis, co-director of the Auckland Brain Bank, told the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation: “The diagnosis of CTE in a young person is significant because it shows that the brain is affected by head impacts early in life.”
The only known cause of CTE is traumatic brain injury, whether caused by a single catastrophic event (such as a car accident) or by repeated blows to the brain over several years (such as sports collisions). Length of time in the sport is most closely related to CTE, but Guyton suffered multiple concussions and decided to retire in 2018 due to symptoms he developed at age 28.
A summary of the report seen by the Guardian also describes the condition of septum pellucidum, a cleft in the middle of the brain associated with traumatic brain injury, and age-related tau deposits, although these often fail to diagnose CTE. Related, but irregular in young brains.
“We share the family’s concerns about his diagnosis,” New Zealand Rugby said. “Every time the rugby community loses a member, especially one as young and talented as Billy, it hurts deeply. NZR is concerned that repeated head impacts while playing rugby may lead to neurodegenerative diseases later in life. “
Although science is moving closer to in vivo diagnostic methods, CTE can currently only be diagnosed after death. Dozens of former professional rugby players, including England World Cup winner Steve Thompson, Wales international Alex Popham and All Blacks player Carl Heyman, have been diagnosed with suspected CTE.
They join hundreds of other former players in taking action against the governing bodies of World Rugby, Rugby Football Union and Wales Rugby Union, claiming they were neither given proper care during the game nor informed of their links. Repeated head injuries and CTE.
Guyton never played professional rugby in England or Wales, so his family is temporarily ineligible to play. New Zealand reported that Guyton suspected of committing suicide. His death was referred to the coroner at the time.
“Everyone concerned about collision sports must acknowledge that over the next few decades we will witness many more athletes die prematurely from neurodegenerative diseases,” said Richard of Ryland Garth, which represents the athletes in the lawsuit. Richard Boardman said.
“More people will be found to have CTE after death. There is an urgent need for these sports to limit the number of contacts players have during an 11-month, 30-plus game season. Playing elite rugby is as dangerous to the brain as ever.”
