First New Zealand Rugby Player Diagnosed with CTE: A Significant Revelation

Billy Guyton, a former professional rugby union player, passed away in 2023 at the age of 33. He has made history in New Zealand as the first person to be officially diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to multiple head injuries.

According to CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand (RNZ), Billy Guyton died from a suspected suicide last year. Following his passing, his family decided to donate his brain to Auckland's Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank. It was through this donation that the diagnosis of CTE was confirmed.

Rugby Union - England v Wales RBS Six Nations Championship 2008 - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 2/2/08 Steve Borthwick of England battles Alun Wyn Jones (L) and Alix Popham of Wales Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul Harding

Steve Borthwick from England faces off against Alun Wyn Jones and Alix Popham from Wales during the Rugby Union match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium in London, England on February 2, 2008.

Paul Harding/Action Images/Reuters

Related article

In their 20s, they represented their country in sports. However, in their 40s, they developed early onset dementia as a result of playing this physical sport.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) can only be definitively diagnosed after death through an autopsy. It is characterized by an abnormal buildup of a protein called Tau in the brain, which can damage neuropathways and lead to various clinical symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, impaired judgement, aggression, depression, anxiety, impulse control issues, and sometimes suicidal behavior.

The Auckland Brain Bank shared with CNN that Professor Maurice Curtis, the co-director, has been assisting Billy Guyton's family in understanding the results of a post-mortem examination of his brain. Normally, the details of a donor's pathology are not disclosed, but the family has given permission to discuss it in this particular case.

John, Guyton's father, shared with RNZ that his son's passing was the result of numerous "cries for help" over the years.

A few days after Billy's death, John came to the realization that his son had CTE. While watching a documentary on the subject with his wife, he had a moment of clarity and remarked, "That's Billy. That's what he had."

Related article

These young female athletes died by suicide. They all had head injuries in common

“If I can work it out based on a documentary, what the hell were all those specialists Billy saw missing?”

After playing for three Super Rugby franchises, the highest level of rugby in New Zealand and Australia, Guyton retired from the sport in 2018 at the age of 28. He shared with the Nelson Weekly that he made the decision to retire due to experiencing symptoms of concussion. CNN has reached out to New Zealand Rugby for their response.

John Guyton, Guyton's father, revealed to RNZ the struggles his son faced due to his concussion symptoms. He mentioned that Guyton would often spend extended periods of time in a small, dark closet because he was unable to tolerate light. There were also instances where Guyton would sit in the bottom of the shower, feeling overwhelmed and trying to gather the strength to start his day.

"Ever wonder what that guy was thinking?"

Associate Professor Michael Buckland, who established the Australian Sports Brain Bank, verified the diagnosis of CTE and identified it as stage 2 of the disease in terms of severity.

Stage 2 of the disease is when Tau protein collects in the furrows of the cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain. According to the Auckland Brain Bank, at Stage 4, the protein spreads across different brain regions.

Professor Curtis mentioned that there are only a few things that can be changed to lower the risk of this disease, and one of them is concussions and head injuries.

Guyton's diagnosis brings more attention to the increasing head injury problem in the sport of rugby.

Players worldwide are struggling to cope with the effects of head injuries they have suffered during their time playing rugby.

In the UK, around 450 current and former rugby players are involved in lawsuits against World Rugby, the RFU, WRU, Rugby Football League Limited, International Rugby League Limited, and British Amateur Rugby League Association.

According to the players' lawyers, they claim that they were not adequately protected from permanent injuries resulting from repeated head injuries and concussions sustained during their rugby careers.

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Glasgow, Boston University, and the University of Sydney examined the post-mortem brain examinations of 31 former amateur and elite rugby union players. In 68% of the brains that were donated for research purposes, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) was found.

It is important to note that there may be a potential bias in these findings. This is because the brains that were donated for examination were likely submitted by relatives who had noticed symptoms of CTE in their family members when they were alive.

CNN’s Amy Woodyatt contributed to this report.

Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, here are ways to help.

If you are in the US and experiencing thoughts of suicide, you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (800-273-TALK) for confidential and free support. The lifeline is available 24/7, every day of the week.

If you need crisis support in Spanish, you can call 888-628-9454.

If you are in the LGBTQ community and need someone to talk to about suicide prevention, you can contact TrevorLifeline at 866-488-7386.

Befrienders Worldwide can help connect you to the closest emotional support center based on your location.

Editor's P/S:

Billy Guyton's diagnosis with CTE is a tragic reminder of the devastating effects that concussions and head injuries can have on athletes. The fact that he was only 33 years old when he died highlights the urgent need for more research and education on this issue. It is essential that we take steps to protect our athletes from these injuries, both on and off the field.

Guyton's story also sheds light on the importance of mental health awareness. Concussions can have a significant impact on an individual's mental well-being, and it is important to provide support for those who are struggling with the effects of these injuries. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a concussion, please seek medical attention immediately. rugby players. This research emphasizes the importance of mandatory concussion protocols and player safety initiatives to reduce the risk of head injuries and the subsequent development of CTE.