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State of the Concussion Debate: From Sceptical to Alarmist Claims

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Abstract

Current discussions about concussion in sport are based on a crucial epistemological question: whether or not we should believe that repetitive mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) causes Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This epistemological question is essential to understanding the ethics at stake in treating these cases: indeed, certain moral obligations turn on whether or not we believe that mTBI causes CTE. After discussing the main schools of thought, namely the CTE-sceptic position (which does not admit a causal relation between mTBI and CTE) and the CTE-orthodox position (as defended by those who see a causal association between mTBI and CTE), this article examines the concussion debate in sport and asks if its current articulation helps to answer whether or not we should call for responsive, ethical action(s).

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Notes

  1. According to them, “the detection of pathological change in the brains of former athletes does not necessarily support a causal relationship with their sporting careers or history of head impacts” [18].

  2. It must be added; CTE-alarmists are also concerned by short-term cognitive deficits and physical disability of concussion, including fatalities, particularly second impact-syndrome in youth athletes.

References

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Acknowledgements

Fondation Brocher for its hospitality. ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), Project ID: CE140100012.

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  1. Ethics, Policy & Public Engagement (EPE), ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), Faculty of Arts, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    Frédéric Gilbert

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  1. Frédéric Gilbert
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Correspondence to Frédéric Gilbert.

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Gilbert, F. State of the Concussion Debate: From Sceptical to Alarmist Claims. Neuroethics 8, 47–53 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12152-014-9219-y

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