"Concussion" Opens In Theaters, Puts Brain Injuries In Spotlight
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Will Smith movie "Concussion" opens in theaters today.
One expert is hoping the film raises awareness of what we know, and don't know, about the effects of repeated brain injuries.
The film tells the story of the discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in NFL players.
Doctor Thomas Watanabe, the clinical director of the Drucker Brain Injury Center at MossRehab, hasn't seen the movie yet.
But he hopes it will illustrate the dangers of repeated head injuries- especially those that DON'T cause concussions- and the varied ways individuals respond.
"It is sub-concussive, or, blows to the head that don't lead to concussions, that seem to be the geratest risk factor for CTE. So concussion protocols are good. But they may not have the impact on preventing CTE that some people might think," Dr. Watanabe explains.
Watanabe says he hopes the film will make athletes of all ages more aware of the risks of repeated head injuries.
