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Female footballers may be in more danger of suffering from dementia than men as top neuroscientist calls for more women to take part in new study on the disease

Related Topics: University of East Anglia

Female footballers could be at a higher risk of dementia than their male counterparts, say university experts.

Neuroscientist Dr Michael Grey is leading a project which is monitoring retired players for early signs of the disease. So far, 35 male ex-professionals have signed up, including former Norwich City pair Iwan Roberts and Jeremy Goss and former Crystal Palace striker Mark Bright.

Dr Grey, from the University of East Anglia, is now seeking former amateur and professional women players — and believes that they may be at a greater risk.

Female footballers could be at a higher risk of dementia than their male counterparts
Neuroscientist Dr Michael Grey,u00a0from the University of East Anglia, is leading a project which is monitoring retired players for early signs of the disease

Neuroscientist Dr Michael Grey, from the University of East Anglia, is leading a project which is monitoring retired players for early signs of the disease

‘We know that there is greater risk of dementia in former professional footballers, and we think this is related to repetitive heading of the ball,’ he said.