Glasgow Times

Glasgow doctor to lead

INVESTIGAT­ION SET TO LOOK AT BRAIN INJURIES

- By NIALL CHRISTIE

ADOCTOR from Glasgow is to lead a new investigat­ion into brain injuries related to heading in football.

Dr William Stewart, consultant neuropatho­logist at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and honorary professor at the University of Glasgow, has been chosen to lead a research study for The Football Associatio­n (FA) and Profession­al Footballer’s Associatio­n(PFA).

This is the latest move from The FA and PFA in their research and developmen­t into the longterm effects of participat­ing in football.

The move follows the Evening Times reporting last week that the Celtic FC Foundation was launching a series of projects, including one to focus on dementia.

It is an illness suffered by Lisbon Lion captain Billy McNeill and Hoops hero Jim Brogan.

Martin Glenn, FA Chief Executive, said: “This new research will be one the most comprehens­ive studies ever commission­ed into the long-term health of former footballer­s.

“Dementia can have a devastatin­g effect and, as the governing body of English football, we felt compelled to commission a significan­t new study in order to fully understand if there are any potential risks associated with playing the game.”

The choice of Dr Stewart as the lead researcher for the project comes after the organisati­on put the study out to tender.

Dr Stewart was one of the founding members of the FA’s Expert Panel on Concussion before stepping down to apply for this new role.

Due to begin in January, the study will look to answer the question: “’Is the incidence of degenerati­ve neurocogni­tive disease more common in ex-profession­al footballer­s than in the normal population?”

Titled ‘Football’s Influence on Lifelong Health and Dementia Risk’ and incorporat­ing the Hampden Sports Clinic, the study will look at the outcomes of around 15,000 ex-profession­al footballer­s.

Dr Stewart said: “In the past decade there have been growing concerns around perceived increased risk of dementia through participat­ion in contact sports, however, research data to support and quantify this risk have been lacking.

 ??  ?? Celtic legend Billy McNeill has been suffering from dementia for the past seven years
Celtic legend Billy McNeill has been suffering from dementia for the past seven years
 ??  ?? Dr William Stewart will lead the research study for the FA
Dr William Stewart will lead the research study for the FA

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