Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat concussions

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by bdcravens on Wednesday February 07, 2024 @11:37PM (#39298210)

Perhaps, but many sports (such as football and American football) are far too popular to end anytime soon.

Additionally, it may be given as a precaution after a first concussion (car wreck, for example), even if that person is unlikely to be "banged on the head everyday"

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by toomuchtodo on Thursday February 08, 2024 @12:09AM (#39298458)

https://www.nfl.com/news/op-ed-flag-football-can-t-be-ignore...

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39081597

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by jbluepolarbear on Thursday February 08, 2024 @03:04AM (#39299500)

Sorry, no one is gonna prefer to watch flag football over full contact tackling. This is an absurd article. And the fact that the Olympics are holding a flag football event is a joke.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by stavros on Thursday February 08, 2024 @03:34AM (#39299674)

That's what the Romans said when they tried to go from fighting to the death to fighting until someone yielded.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by mrguyorama on Thursday February 08, 2024 @01:32PM (#39305659)

Roman gladiatorial combat rarely went to the death. Fighters were valuable media personalities, much like pro athletes today, supposedly including product endorsements and billboard advertising! Battles and fighters were focused on spectacle. It was basically just the WWE

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by importantbrian on Thursday February 08, 2024 @02:15PM (#39306222)

Really, no one? Flag participation is already higher for 6 to 12-year-olds than tackle. Lots of girls participate in flag. I suspect they'll be interested in watching the sport they grew up playing. It might never be more popular than tackle, but to say no one will prefer watching it is silly.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by anonzzzies on Thursday February 08, 2024 @02:39AM (#39299365)

Any stats on this? Sports (that cause these injuries) are a choice/entertainment and people should pay for playing (like you should pay if you are obese, smoke or drink), but how much of this are actual accidents (cars, normal bike riding, work, army)?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by krisoft on Thursday February 08, 2024 @04:05AM (#39299869)

> people should pay for playing

I’m sorry, what? There are two ways I can interpret what you wrote. “Should pay” as in the people who play sports should buy their own concussion medicine. Which is okay I guess? But nobody talked about financing.

Which makes me think you mean “should pay” as in people who choose to partake in sports should suffer harm (as in pay the metaphorical “price”). Is that how you mean it? Because that sounds extremely cruel and twisted morality. There is nothing “should” about that. That makes it sound as if these people deserve the harm even if we could prevent it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by anonzzzies on Thursday February 08, 2024 @05:10AM (#39300262)

No that's not how I mean it, sorry. I mean if you put yourself in danger, society shouldn't necessarily pay. Sports is healthy if it's not a sport that endangers your body and that should be rewarded; sports that are proven to give you multiple injuries (concussions etc) are not very different from bad addictions. It's your choice/responsibility, not 'ours'.

But no I definitely didn't mean the tail end. Sorry if you read that into it; I would never say that.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by krisoft on Thursday February 08, 2024 @07:01AM (#39300956)

Thank you for the clarification, and I'm sorry for misunderstanding it.

In that case I agree with you.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by lupusreal on Thursday February 08, 2024 @06:03AM (#39300578)

You don't have to end the sport, just opt not to play it yourself. The GP's suggestion is valid; if you're getting hit in the head a lit you should stop doing that.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Novel drug could protect brains from damage after repeat ... by importantbrian on Thursday February 08, 2024 @02:06PM (#39306104)

While American Football won't end anytime soon -- depending on your definition of soon. It's worth noting that youth participation rates are falling dramatically, and there are big regional differences. It will take a while, but football will eventually end up as a niche regional sport. Unless a drug like this or some revolutionary piece of safety equipment came along. Then I could see the sport staying on top long term.

[ Parent | on HN ]