Dr. Ira Casson Briefed at Congressional Hearing on NFL Head Injuries

Dr. Ira Casson (nytimes.com)

Dr. Ira Casson, New York neurologist and former co-chairman of NFL’s panel on head injuries, is being questioned by the U.S. Congress for denying the connection between brain disease and football head injuries.

“There is not enough valid, reliable or objective scientific evidence at present to determine whether or not repeat head impacts in professional football result in long-term brain damage,” Dr. Casson said.

During the Congressional Hearing on Monday, California Representative Linda Sanchez reitterated the obvious connection between head injuries and football collisions that occur too frequently on the field, using the example that tobacco companies denied the correlation between smoking and lung disease.

“I find it really ridiculous that he’s saying that concussions don’t cause long-term cognitive problems,” Sanchez said. “I think most people you ask on the street would figure that repeated blows to the head aren’t good for you.”

“It seems to me that the NFL has literally been dragging its feet on this issue until the past few years.” Sanchez said, later asking: “Why did it take 15 years?”

Dr. Casson resigned as co-chairman of NFL panel on head injuries, and explained that not enough studies are being done in order to find reasons for brain disease, such as performance-enhancing drugs among athletes.

“Some have suggested that scientific evidence regarding the question at hand is conclusive and that there is no need for further research,” Casson said in his prepared testimony. “I strongly disagree with that position.”

According to Vitals.com, Dr. Ira Casson is one America’s Leading Experts on Brain Concussions and a Patients’ Choice doctor based on his 4 star overall rating.

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