Brain Imaging Study Finds Soccer Heading Causes Damage to Brain Area Key for Cognitive Function

A breakthrough brain imaging study conducted by researchers at Columbia University has identified specific regions in the brain's cerebral cortex—that are located just behind the forehead—that suffer the most damage from repeated impacts caused by heading a soccer ball. The researchers found that this damage correlates with cognitive deficits, particularly in learning and memory skills, among soccer players who frequently head the ball.

This study, published in JAMA Network Open, focused on amateur adult soccer players from New York City. The team employed a novel imaging technique called diffusion MRI, which examines cellular microstructures and the interface between white and gray matter of the brain's outer surface (cerebral cortex). The cortex's interface is important because differences in density and movement between white and gray matter create shear forces during impacts, making this transition zone particularly vulnerable to injury.

Using this technique, the researchers analyzed the brains of 352 soccer players with varying degrees of heading exposure over the past year, alongside 77 age-matched athletes in non-collision sports. Their assessments showed that players who reported more than 1,000 headers annually exhibited microstructural changes, particularly in the orbitofrontal region at the front of the brain. These players also performed slightly worse on cognitive tests measuring learning and memory.

The findings suggest that repetitive heading impacts induce subtle but significant changes in the brain’s microstructure. These alterations appear to mediate the cognitive decline observed in frequent headers. The study’s lead author, Dr. Michael Lipton, emphasizes that these microstructural changes are likely a cause of the cognitive impairments.

Additionally, a related study in the journal Neurology used a different imaging approach to find similar damage in the same brain region, reinforcing the conclusion that heading-related impacts specifically affect this area.

The research also hints at the potential link between these microstructural changes and the development of neurodegenerative conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is characterized by brain deterioration often seen in athletes with a history of repeated head impacts. Although the abnormalities were identified in healthy players, it remains unclear whether these changes result in long-term disease.

Furthermore, the study opens avenues for developing diagnostic tools to detect early brain injury from heading and for investigating protective strategies, such as cardiovascular health interventions, that might mitigate impact-related brain damage.

This research highlights the importance of understanding the neurological impacts of soccer heading, especially as it relates to cognitive health and potential neurodegeneration in athletes. Further studies are needed to explore long-term consequences and preventive measures.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-soccer-brain-area-critical-cognition.html