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Part One: The connection between rugby and dementia
The Herald has uncovered a spate of dementia cases among rugby legends, raising the ugly possibility that head injuries suffered during their playing days have contributed to the disease.
Neil Wolfe, dementia sufferer and All Black, at his home in New Plymouth. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The Herald has uncovered a spate of dementia cases among rugby legends, raising the ugly possibility that head injuries suffered during their playing days have contributed to the disease.
READ:
• Rugby and dementia: The full story
• Head blows behind illness, say families
• Team of '64 'revered in the province'
• Your views: Should high school rugby games be 'touch' instead of tackle?
• Whose job it is to look after them?
WATCH:
• Rugby Players' Association Head Rob Nichol
• Michael Collins - Dementia cases 'terribly sad'
• The Vent: We'll hear a lot more dementia cases
Top UK neurologists and other medical experts are increasingly seeing persuasive evidence of a link between rugby and dementia.
READ:
• Ex-Lion adamant on dementia link
• Best of mates bonded by sad decline
ACC says it's "quite likely" there will be treatment claims in the future for concussion-caused chronic conditions like dementia.
READ:
• ACC bracing for claims
• Concussion leads to increased risk of suicide
• Midweek fixture with Dylan Cleaver: This is not an anti-rugby story
WATCH:
• Former team doctor Donald MacLeod on the long-term effects of playing rugby
New Zealand Rugby says the issue of concussion and potential related long-term health consequences remains complicated with no definitive answers.
READ:
• NZ Rugby keeping focus on today's players
• Rugby boss Steve Tew on dementia: 'It is an incredibly sensitive topic'
WATCH:
• Interview with NZ Rugby Union CEO on head injuries
We associate dementia with ageing but there are times this debilitating condition hits hard and hits early.
READ:
• Frustrating lapses warned loved ones all was not well
• Possible links between head-knocks and dementia 'of interest'
WATCH:
• Impact on family
Ilona Maher is comfortably rugby's most followed personality across all social media.