Former MMA fighter Julie Kedzie has pledged her brain for post-mortem research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated blows to the head and concussion. Learn more about her commitment and the efforts to improve brain health in MMA.
| Key Points |
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| Julie Kedzie, a retired MMA fighter, has pledged her brain for post-mortem research on CTE. |
| CTE is a brain condition linked to repeated blows to the head and concussion. |
| The Concussion Legacy Foundation has seen an increase in brain donations from athletes across various contact sports. |
| There is a lack of research on the long-term effects of repeated head trauma in MMA fighters, especially female athletes. |
| The UFC’s Performance Institute is taking steps to address brain health in fighters, including the development of a return-to-play protocol for concussions. |
| The UFC has collaborated with the Cleveland Clinic on the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study. |
| The UFC aims to implement regular cognitive testing and MRI scans to detect signs of cognitive decline in fighters. |
| Julie Kedzie supports efforts to protect athletes in MMA and improve the safety of the sport. |
Julie Kedzie, a retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, has pledged her brain for post-mortem research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated blows to the head and concussion. Kedzie, who has suffered from depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and lack of sleep since retiring in 2013, hopes that her brain can contribute valuable data to advance the understanding of CTE. She believes that if she can continue pushing in the field of MMA and advancing the cause of women, it will be worth it.
CTE, which can only be diagnosed post-mortem, gradually worsens over time and leads to dementia. The Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) has seen an increase in brain donations from athletes across various contact sports, including MMA, as awareness of the risks involved grows. However, there is still a lack of research on the long-term effects of repeated head trauma in MMA fighters, especially female athletes.
Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-founder of the CLF, states that most professional MMA fighters studied have had CTE, but the full extent of the condition’s impact is yet to be seen. Kedzie, who has worked for the all-women’s MMA organization Invicta FC since 2013, wants to give back to the women in the sport by contributing to research on female athletes’ brains.
The UFC’s Performance Institute (PI) in Las Vegas is taking steps to address the issue of brain health in MMA fighters. The PI has developed a five-stage return-to-play protocol for concussions and has made it accessible to all fighters. Dr. Duncan French, senior vice president at the PI, emphasizes the UFC’s responsibility to educate and raise awareness among fighters at all levels.
The UFC has also collaborated with the Cleveland Clinic on the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study, which focuses on neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Charles Bernick, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic, believes that combat sports are playing catch-up compared to other sports in terms of tracking brain damage over a fighter’s career. The hope is that the study’s findings can inform policy changes and help participants understand their individual risks.
The UFC aims to drive change and improve the sport by advancing policy and protocol. Lawrence Epstein, chief operating officer of the UFC, expresses the organization’s commitment to implementing regular cognitive testing and MRI scans for fighters to detect any signs of cognitive decline. The goal is to protect fighters and prevent them from experiencing cognitive deficits.
Julie Kedzie shares the sentiment and wants to see the sport she loves become better and safer. She believes that athletes in MMA need to be protected, as the physical toll of the sport can lead to long-term consequences.
Key Points:
- Julie Kedzie, a retired MMA fighter, has pledged her brain for post-mortem research on CTE.
- CTE is a brain condition linked to repeated blows to the head and concussion.
- The Concussion Legacy Foundation has seen an increase in brain donations from athletes across various contact sports.
- There is a lack of research on the long-term effects of repeated head trauma in MMA fighters, especially female athletes.
- The UFC’s Performance Institute is taking steps to address brain health in fighters, including the development of a return-to-play protocol for concussions.
- The UFC has collaborated with the Cleveland Clinic on the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study.
- The UFC aims to implement regular cognitive testing and MRI scans to detect signs of cognitive decline in fighters.
- Julie Kedzie supports efforts to protect athletes in MMA and improve the safety of the sport.
