The case participant is a 63-year-old male former Australian rules footballer, who played from the age of eight to retirement in his early 30s, including more than 200 professional games. He suffered several concussion injuries during his career (exact number unknown) including a period when he suffered three concussions in 4 weeks. He did not report any significant or ongoing cognitive or behavioral symptoms at the time of sustaining the concussion or at retirement. Following retirement from football, the participant worked in a coaching role. There was no history of exposure to other head impacts, no alcohol or drug abuse, and no family history of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other dementia.
In his mid-50s, the participant had a stroke, which presented with features including non-fluent dysphasia and facial droop. An MR brain scan noted a 10-mm left thalamic infarct. Resulting short-term memory impairment necessitated a change to a less demanding occupation and he remains employed as a factory worker. His family reported gradual deterioration in his short-term memory post-stroke and recent behavioral change. His presentation was complicated by severe deafness and reluctance to use a hearing aid. Neurological examination was normal other than a loss of sense of smell.