The number of young people who play American football decreased from 2008 to 2016 according to the Aspen Institute, a research center.
据阿斯彭研究所的数据显示，从2008年到2016年，玩美式橄榄球的年轻人数量有所减少。
There are many reasons for this decrease.
造成人数下降的原因有很多。
But some parents, such as businessman Mark Cuban, will not let their children play the sport because of concerns about brain injuries.
例如商人马克·库班（Mark Cuban）等父母不允许孩子玩这一运动，他们担心孩子会脑部受伤。
A recent study seems to support some of these concerns.
最近一项研究似乎证实了这些担忧。
It gives more evidence that too much American football is seriously damaging the brains of players.
该研究列举更多的证据表明，过于频繁的美式橄榄球运动会严重损害球员的大脑。
Scientists at the Brain Bank are studying a kind of brain injury known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
大脑银行的科学家正在研究一种名为“慢性创伤性脑病”的脑损伤。
The Brain Bank is a center at Boston University in Massachusetts where brains and other tissue are stored and studied.
大脑银行是马萨诸塞州波士顿大学的研究中心，该中心主要研究储存的大脑和其他组织。
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is caused by collisions that push the brain around inside the skull.
慢性创伤性脑病（CTE）是由导致大脑在颅骨内震荡的碰撞所引起的。
In a recent study, the scientists at the Brain Bank found high levels of CTE in dead football players.
在最近的一项研究中，大脑银行的科学家发现一位离世的橄榄球运动员患有严重的CTE。
The scientists studied the brains of 202 former players.
科学家对202名退役球员的大脑进行了研究。
These athletes, who had donated their brains for research, played at high school, college or professional levels.
这些运动员曾在高中、大学或专业球队里玩橄榄球。
The scientists found CTE in 177 of the 202 brains.
研究显示，在202个大脑中，有177个患有CTE。
The scientists found especially high rates of CTE in the brains of former National Football League, or NFL, players.
科学家发现，国家橄榄球联盟（NFL）退役球员患CTE的风险特别高。
Out of the 111 former NFL players studied, 110 showed signs of CTE.
在接受调查的111名国家橄榄球联盟退役球员中，有110人出现了CTE的迹象。
Many of those found to have CTE suffered from behavioral or mood problems during their lifetimes. Many also suffered from dementia, too.
很有患有CTE的人一生中会饱受行为或情绪问题的困扰。还有许多人患上痴呆症。
Amy McKee is one of the lead researchers at the Brain Bank.
艾米·麦基（Amy McKee）是大脑银行的首席研究人员之一。
She said CTE can affect even the brains of young people.
她说CTE甚至可以影响年轻人的大脑。
“We can see spaces near the hippocampus, which is a part of the brain that’s important for learning and for memory,and we can see that there has been shrinkage there as well.
“大家可以看到海马体附近的区域，海马体是大脑中负责学习和记忆的重要部分，我们可以看到那里也出现收缩。
To see this in such a young individual is quite startling.”
在年轻人身上看到这一点相当令人吃惊。
McKee says helmets can give some protection from CTE. But, she explains that the risks are still great.
麦基指出，虽然头盔可以提供一些防护。但是，风险仍然很高。
“They will never be the solution for CTE…They may make it less likely, but it is always going to be a risk once you have head contact,” she said.
她说：“它们（头盔）不是解决CTE的根本途径……他们只是让患CTE的可能性降低，但是一旦出现头部撞击还是会有风险的。”
McKee and her team are now looking for ways to diagnose CTE before a player dies.
麦基和团队正在寻找一种方法，在球员死亡前诊断出CTE。
They are also looking for drugs that might treat it.
他们也在寻找治疗这一症状的药物。
I’m John Russell.
约翰·罗塞尔为您播报。
【词汇解析】
1.according to 通过
He and his father, according to local gossip, haven't been in touch for years.
当地风传，他和父亲已多年未联系了。
2.research center 研究中心
He also has established an environmental high school and a research center.
他还创办了一所环境中学以及一个研究中心。
3.concern about 担心
The Prime Minister swept aside concern about the rising cost of mortgages.
首相对按揭费用上涨的忧虑置之不理。
4.known as 被称为
China has always been known as a land of propriety and righteousness.
中国从来以礼义之邦著称。
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