CTE: Brain disease diagnosed in female athlete for first time – BBC News

Australian scientists say they have made the world's first diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in a professional female athlete.

CTE causes an increased risk of mental illness and has also been linked to dementia, but can only be diagnosed post-mortem. Scientists believe it is caused by repeated head knocks and concussions, with a study by 13 academic institutions last year finding "conclusive evidence".