More Concussions Linked to Worse Brain Health in Recent College Grads

Study finds former athletes with 3+ concussions show signs of cognitive, mental health decline 5 years after graduation.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study published in the journal Neurology has found that former college athletes who experienced three or more concussions during their playing days showed signs of worse brain health, including higher levels of anxiety, depression, distress, and sleep issues, compared to those with fewer or no concussions. The effects were observed in tests conducted about 5 years after the athletes had graduated from college.

Why it matters

Concussions are a major concern for young athletes, and this study suggests the long-term impacts can emerge relatively soon after college, highlighting the importance of proper concussion management and monitoring the brain health of former players, even years later.

The details

The study tracked over 3,900 former college athletes across 20 different sports. Of those, 77% reported no concussions, while 213 athletes said they had experienced three or more concussions. The researchers found that those with three or more concussions scored worse on cognitive and psychological tests conducted within 5 years of graduation, compared to those with fewer or no concussions. Even athletes with just one or two concussions showed slightly worse outcomes than those with no history of concussion.

  • The study was published on March 11, 2026.
  • The brain health tests were conducted about 5 years after the former athletes had graduated from college.

The players

Steven Broglio

The senior researcher on the study and director of the University of Michigan Concussion Center in Ann Arbor.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While the effect sizes of our findings are quite small, the study participants are still young adults in their 20s, so we don't know if or how these effects might change throughout their lives.”

— Steven Broglio, Director, University of Michigan Concussion Center (American Academy of Neurology)

What’s next

Researchers plan to continue following the former athletes to see if the cognitive and mental health impacts become more or less pronounced over time.

The takeaway

This study underscores the importance of closely monitoring the long-term brain health of former college athletes, especially those with a history of multiple concussions, and providing early interventions to mitigate any potential lasting effects.