Amid Brett Favre’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, neurologist discusses how concussions impact risk

Football fable Brett Favre, 54, announced connected Tuesday that helium has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The NFL Hall of Famer referenced the diagnosis portion speaking astatine a legislature proceeding connected national payment reform, during which helium mentioned his concern successful a institution making a "breakthrough concussion drug."

Favre, who spent 16 of his 20 NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers, has openly discussed experiencing "thousands" of concussions implicit the people of his shot career.

NFL LEGEND BRETT FAVRE ANNOUNCES HE HAS PARKINSON'S DISEASE

What is Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s illness (PD) is simply a neurodegenerative upset that affects movement, starring to tremors, stiffness, dilatory gait, equilibrium issues and different symptoms. 

Former NFL backmost Brett Favre testifies earlier the House Ways and Means Committee astatine the Longworth House Office Building connected Sept. 24, 2024 successful Washington, D.C.  (Getty Images)

Non-motor symptoms tin see depression, anxiety, hallucinations, apathy, sleep disorders, nonaccomplishment of smell, digestive issues and orthostatic hypotension (a abrupt driblet successful humor unit erstwhile lasting up), according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Nearly 1 cardinal radical are surviving with the illness successful the U.S., and a projected 1.2 cardinal volition person received diagnoses by 2030.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE RISK IS LINKED TO GUT HEALTH, RESEARCHERS SAY

There is nary 1 known origin of Parkinson's disease, but determination are factors that could summation risk. For astir cases of the disease, the origin is unknown. 

A idiosyncratic who is diagnosed without origin has what is called idiopathic Parkinson's disease, according to Healthline. 

Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers looks connected from the sideline during a crippled against the Cleveland Browns astatine Cleveland Municipal Stadium connected Nov. 19, 1995, successful Cleveland, Ohio.  (Getty Images)

The hazard increases with age, but astir 4% of patients are diagnosed earlier turning 50. 

Men are astatine a higher risk, and are 1.5 times much apt to beryllium diagnosed than women, per the Foundation. 

While determination is nary cure for PD, patients tin sometimes negociate their symptoms with medications, country and lifestyle changes.

THE EFFECTS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE ON THE BRAIN AND COMMON WAYS THOSE IMPACTED SUBDUE SYMPTOMS

The main medication utilized to relieve Parkinson's symptoms is levodopa, which helps to replenish dopamine successful the brain, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Some radical are besides prescribed dopamine agonists, enzyme inhibitors, amantadine and anticholinergic drugs, the root stated.

Symptoms oregon progression of the illness tin beryllium worse for athletes who person experienced concussions oregon different caput injuries, a neurologist confirmed. (iStock)

A healthy diet, exercise, massage therapy and physical, occupational and code therapies tin besides assistance with symptoms related to Parkinson's disease.

While Parkinson’s is not straight fatal, complications of the illness are rated arsenic the 14th origin of decease successful the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The concussion connection

Dr. Joey Gee, a neurologist with Providence Mission Hospital successful Mission Viejo, California, said it is well-established that galore neurological disorders — predominantly neurodegenerative disorders — tin worsen oregon make arsenic a effect of galore caput traumas and injuries implicit time. 

"This tin see everything from Alzheimer's illness to Lou Gehrig's disease, but a batch of accent has been connected the improvement of Parkinson's disease," Gee told Fox News Digital. 

"We cognize that persistent trauma to the encephalon tin origin inflammatory changes and vascular disturbances."

"We cognize that persistent trauma to the brain tin origin inflammatory changes and vascular disturbances."

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In narration to Parkinson's disease, it tin origin a disruption of an inflammatory macromolecule called alpha-synuclein, helium said. 

In radical with Parkinson’s, that macromolecule forms into clumps successful the spinal fluid called Lewy bodies, which is simply a marker of the disease.

Many neurological disorders tin worsen oregon make arsenic a effect of galore caput traumas and injuries implicit time, a neurologist said. (Getty Images)

"And past you whitethorn spot aboriginal signs oregon symptoms related to Parkinson's disease," the neurologist noted.

Symptoms oregon progression of the illness tin beryllium worse for athletes who person experienced concussions oregon different caput injuries, Gee confirmed.

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"A fig of scientific reports amusement that patients who person acquired Parkinson's-related features from trauma whitethorn contiguous earlier and whitethorn person much important symptoms than those with Parkinson's illness who did not person a caput injury," helium told Fox News Digital. 

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"So determination is simply a important imaginable for earlier improvement successful symptoms and inflammation of the brain."

Fox News Digital reached retired to Favre’s representatives for comment.

Fox News’ Ryan Morik and Ashlyn Messier contributed reporting.