**Dementia Warning Raised as Study Finds Concerning Signs Among Former Rugby Players**
A new scientific study has found that retired rugby players may be at a greater risk of developing dementia later in life, highlighting ongoing concerns about the long-term effects of repeated head injuries in contact sports.
Researchers from Imperial College London, University College London, and the UK Dementia Research Institute examined 200 former players—both men and women—who reported significant head impacts during their careers. The study found that these participants displayed higher levels of the protein p-tau217 in their blood, a biomarker that has been commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. By comparison, only 33 members of the general public with no history of head injuries were included as controls.
The findings indicated that 17.6 percent of the ex-players had elevated p-tau217 levels overall, with 23 percent showing significantly increased concentrations of the protein. MRI scans further revealed a marked reduction in brain volume in certain regions among the player group, compared to their non-athlete counterparts.
Notably, none of the individuals involved in the study had been diagnosed with dementia at the time. However, the researchers pointed to these observable changes—such as reduced brain volume and increased presence of p-tau217—as clear warning signs. The study, which is set to continue for several more years, will aim to establish whether these early indicators presage cognitive difficulties or full-blown dementia as the former players age.
Dr Jacqui Hanley, who leads research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, commented on the results: “While none of the rugby players in this study have developed young-onset dementia yet, the presence of elevated p-tau217 protein and smaller brain volumes are changes frequently linked to dementia-related diseases like Alzheimer’s.”
She also highlighted certain limitations inherent in the study, such as its reliance on participants self-reporting concussion and head injury histories. “It’s too early to say with certainty whether these particular players will develop dementia, or if the physical brain changes observed will definitely translate to memory or thinking problems down the line,” Dr Hanley added. Nevertheless, she noted that as the research progresses, it should provide valuable insight into how brain markers and blood proteins may evolve and potentially impact cognitive health in former athletes.
This latest study arrives amid mounting scrutiny of safety practices in contact sports. Previous high-profile research—such as the FIELD study focused on professional football—found that former footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases compared to the general population.
The issue has become a flashpoint for legal action, with ongoing cases in rugby union, rugby league, and football. Former players have alleged that governing bodies failed to sufficiently protect them from repeated brain trauma during their careers, sparking calls for stricter regulations and more effective protective measures in sport.
Health campaigns and advocacy groups are also urging increased awareness and more comprehensive research, as the full impact of concussion and repeated sub-concussive blows remains an urgent area of inquiry. The current study’s use of the p-tau217 biomarker may ultimately prove significant, offering a potential tool for early detection and intervention.
As further updates from this ongoing research are awaited, the rugby community is left grappling with pressing questions about player safety, responsibility, and the future of the sport itself. In the meantime, calls for more rigorous head injury protocols and better long-term support for veterans of high-contact sports continue to grow.