NEWCASTLE-based neurological experts Dr Andrew Gardner and Professor Chris Levi will join forces with researchers from Harvard Medical School in a new study into head injuries caused by rugby league and other collision sports.
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The NRL announced on Wednesday it had formed a partnership with the University of Newcastle and the Spaulding Research Institute at Harvard Medical School and would provide initial funding of $250,000 for the Retired Professional Rugby League Players Brain Health Study.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg was hopeful that hundreds of former players would take part in the research.
"This research will give experts better insight than ever before into head injuries," Greenberg said.
"And it'll allow us as a game to transform that research into real world practices and policies.
"I expect that this research will continue for decades.
"We're committed to playing the long game here.
"What happens on the field is only part of the puzzle.
"We'll continue to evolve our on-field practices and off-field research to make our game as safe as possible."
Dr Gardner, from the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle, will be the principle researcher.
"This financial support will allow us to build on the evidence we have accumulated with this research program to date, and enable us to significantly increase the number of retired professional players we recruit to the program each year," he said.
"It will not only allow us to identify problems and immediately refer former players for treatment, but it will also enable us to see former players periodically so we can examine brain health over time.
"That sort of robust and comprehensive data set will be invaluable."
Professor Levi, who runs the Sports Concussion Clinic at John Hunter Hospital, said the research would help player safety evolve.
"There is a pressing need for a deeper scientific understanding of the reported association between concussion and longer-term brain and mental health outcomes," he said.
"Key questions to be answered include what level of exposure imparts risk and can potentially vulnerable individuals be identified and thereby exposure avoided."
The NRL, and individual clubs, have for years relied on the expertise of Gardner and Levi to help deal with concussion-related issues.
Six months ago, the inherent risks of rugby league were highlighted when two deceased ex-players - one of whom was Canterbury legend Steve Folkes - were diagnosed with degenerative brain conditions after undergoing autopsies. Folkes was found to have CTE - a brain disease linked with repetitive head trauma.
Former Knights winger James McManus launched a landmark lawsuit against the club in 2017, claiming he suffered brain damage and was forced to retire prematurely after being allowed to play and train while concussed.