First Female Athlete Diagnosed With CTE: Footballer’s Tragic Death at 28

In a groundbreaking discovery, Heather Anderson, a professional female athlete, has become the first woman to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease commonly found in male athletes. Anderson, who played Australian Rules football and rugby, tragically died by suicide at the age of 28 last year. The diagnosis of CTE can only be confirmed postmortem. According to the study on Anderson, individuals with CTE commonly experience mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, irritability, impulsivity, drug and alcohol use, suicidal thoughts, and ultimately suicide itself. The disease is believed to be caused by repeated head trauma, including concussions. Anderson had suffered several injuries throughout her career and retired in 2017.

Anderson’s father expressed his reaction to the CTE diagnosis, stating that it was both surprising and expected. The family had donated her brain for research, and now her father is contemplating the implications for female athletes everywhere. The authors of the study share a similar sentiment, stating that while Anderson is the first female athlete diagnosed with CTE, she will not be the last. They emphasize the need for further study on female athletes involved in contact sports, believing that this discovery is just the beginning and that more CTE cases will emerge among women. (Read more CTE stories.)