Former NHL Player Donates Brain to Boston University

Derek Boogaard, a twenty-eight year old former NHL player, died unexpectedly on May 13. There were no outward signs of trauma to his body when he was found in his Minneapolis apartment. Some suspect that a concussion he sustained five months prior may have played a role in his death.

Following Boogaard’s earlier request, his family donated his brain to the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopthy. There, Boogaard’s brain will undergo examination for signs of degenerative disease, a disease frequently found in individuals who suffer repeated hits to the head.

Researchers from the BU center approached Boogaard last year after the death of Bob Probert, another former NHL player who died unexpectedly. Probert’s brain had signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. CTE is associated with both behavioral and cognitive problems.

Other athletes diagnosed with CTE postmortem are Reggie Fleming, a NHL player who played prior to helmets becoming mandatory, and Dave Duerson, a NFL star who committed suicide.

Many hope that Bogaard’s donation will bring answers as to his cause of death, and perhaps give scientists more insight into CTE.

See Boogaard’s Brain Donated to Boston University, The Associated Press, May 15, 2011.