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04/02 01:00 CDT Coroner says New Zealand rugby player who died by suspected
suicide had brain abnormality CTE
Coroner says New Zealand rugby player who died by suspected suicide had brain
abnormality CTE
By STEVE McMORRAN
AP Sports Writer
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) --- A New Zealand professional rugby player who
died by suspected suicide last year had advanced chronic traumatic
encephalopathy (CTE), a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions,
according to a post-mortem examination.
The diagnosis was announced Thursday by Coroner Ian Telford, who is conducting
a preliminary hearing into the death of Shane Christie who died in August aged
39.
CTE is a disease which causes progressive damage to brain tissue and has been
known to cause mood swings, impulsive behavior and depression, among other
symptoms. It can only be diagnosed after death.
Christie was a former New Zealand Maori representative who believed he was
suffering from CTE and campaigned for greater understanding of the condition
after the death of his friend and fellow rugby professional Billy Guyton, also
by suspected suicide.
The abnormality has also been linked to deaths in the National Football League
and in other contact sports such as hockey and soccer.
Friends and family of Christie said he wanted his diagnosis made public to
raise awareness of CTE for players suffering its symptoms.
Christie who played Super Rugby for the Crusaders and Highlanders retired from
rugby in 2018, suffering the effects of repeated concussions.
The coroner said pathologist Dr. Clinton Turner had confirmed "the diagnosis of
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which he characterizes as ?high
stage'." Turner works at the University of Auckland "brain bank" to which
Guyton and Christie had donated their brains.
The coroner said the diagnosis was the pathologist's opinion and that the cause
of Christie's death would be determined by the coronial process.
The chief executive of New Zealand Rugby, Steve Lancaster told New Zealand
media his organization recognizes "an association between repeated head impacts
and CTE and takes this issue seriously."
"New Zealand Rugby acknowledges the CTE pathology results for Shane Christie
confirmed by The Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank. We also acknowledge
and respect the role of the coroner to determine the nature of any inquiry they
may hold examining the cause and circumstances of Shane's passing," Lancaster
said.
"We share the concerns about the potential long-term effects of repeated head
knocks in rugby and support the need for ongoing research into this."
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
