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Study proves lifestyle is not linked to dementia toll | Prof calls for reduction or ban on repetitive impacts

- LYNN LOVE

LIFESTYLE factors such as boozing and obesity are not to blame for footballers developing dementia at a higher rate, Scots experts have discovered.

The study released by Glasgow University appears to support those who believe there is a link between heading a football and elevated levels of the degenerative brain disease among former players.

Led by neuropathologist Professor Willie Stewart, the latest findings from the FIELD study shed more light on the potential reasons why footballers experience higher risk of dementia.

The research, published in JAMA Network Open, draws on data from the electronic health records of 11,984 former professional players and 35,952 matched population controls in Scotland.

Researchers compared key dementia risk factors across the two groups including smoking, depression, alcohol-related disorders, diabetes, hypertension, hearing loss and obesity.

Overall the study team found the rates of these general health and lifestyle dementia risk factors were typically similar or lower - among former players, compared with their counterparts.