Extensive study links concussions to depression

NEW ORLEANS (May 31, 2007) -- A study of more than 2,500 retired NFL players found that those who had at least three concussions during their careers had triple the risk of clinical depression as those who had no concussions.

Those who recalled one or two concussions were 1½ times more likely to be diagnosed with depression, said Kevin Guskiewicz, research director of the University of North Carolina's Center for the Study of Retired Athletes.

"The findings of this study are not simply relevant to 50-, 55-year-old, 60-year-old retired athletes," but to those currently playing, said Guskiewicz, lead author of the study published in "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise," the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Repeated concussions might be even more dangerous for children, said Dr.

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