US EditionFrequent Soccer Heading Linked to Alterations Within the Folds of the Brain
Researchers found that amateur soccer players with over 3,000 headers annually showed disrupted brain microstructure linked to poorer cognition, highlighting risks of repeated head impacts.
- The Neurology study released Sept 17 found more frequent heading linked to brain-fold alterations in 352 amateur soccer players, with support from the Dana Foundation and NINDS.
- Concerns stretching back to Jeff Astle's death in 2002 prompted researchers to test whether repetitive impacts might offset sports' cognitive benefits, with authors cautioning the study shows association, not causation.
- Neuroimaging showed that the highest headers exposure groups had greater orbitofrontal microstructure disruption linked to poorer cognitive performance, researchers said.
- Authors cautioned that the study shows association and urged more research, with Lipton stating, `Our findings suggest that this layer of white matter in the folds of the brain is vulnerable to repeated trauma from heading and may be an important place to detect brain injury.`
- A key limitation was reliance on athletes surveyed to estimate headers over one year, and the study, supported by the Dana Foundation David Mahoney Neuroimaging Program and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, found worsening microstructure with more headers.
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18 Articles
Soccer heading linked to microstructural injury, lower cognitive performance
Soccer players with more frequent repetitive head injuries from heading the ball had significantly greater microstructural disruption in their juxtacortical white matter at sulci depths, according to data published in Neurology. These injuries also were associated with poorer performance on verbal learning and memory performance testing, Michael L. Lipton, MD, PhD, professor of radiology,
Cherokee Tribune Ledger News
Your Alaska LinkColumbia study reveals how soccer headers may alter the brain
This is your brain on headers.
Frequent soccer heading linked to alterations within the folds of the brain
In amateur soccer players, more frequent heading, or using the head to control or pass the ball, is linked to alterations within the folds of the brain, according to a study published on September 17, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Ju-young = The more often amateur soccer players handle or pass the ball with their head, the more wrinkles in their brain...
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