The number of young people who play American football decreased from 2008 to 2016 according to the Aspen Institute, a research center. 

據(jù)阿斯彭研究所的數(shù)據(jù)顯示，從2008年到2016年，玩美式橄欖球的年輕人數(shù)量有所減少。 

There are many reasons for this decrease. 

造成人數(shù)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. 

例如商人馬克·庫(kù)班（Mark Cuban）等父母不允許孩子玩這一運(yùn)動(dòng)，他們擔(dān)心孩子會(huì)腦部受傷。 

A recent study seems to support some of these concerns. 

最近一項(xiàng)研究似乎證實(shí)了這些擔(dān)憂。

It gives more evidence that too much American football is seriously damaging the brains of players. 

該研究列舉更多的證據(jù)表明，過于頻繁的美式橄欖球運(yùn)動(dòng)會(huì)嚴(yán)重?fù)p害球員的大腦。

Scientists at the Brain Bank are studying a kind of brain injury known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. 

大腦銀行的科學(xué)家正在研究一種名為“慢性創(chuàng)傷性腦病”的腦損傷。 

The Brain Bank is a center at Boston University in Massachusetts where brains and other tissue are stored and studied. 

大腦銀行是馬薩諸塞州波士頓大學(xué)的研究中心，該中心主要研究?jī)?chǔ)存的大腦和其他組織。 

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is caused by collisions that push the brain around inside the skull. 

慢性創(chuàng)傷性腦?。–TE）是由導(dǎo)致大腦在顱骨內(nèi)震蕩的碰撞所引起的。 

In a recent study, the scientists at the Brain Bank found high levels of CTE in dead football players. 

在最近的一項(xiàng)研究中，大腦銀行的科學(xué)家發(fā)現(xiàn)一位離世的橄欖球運(yùn)動(dòng)員患有嚴(yán)重的CTE。 

The scientists studied the brains of 202 former players. 

科學(xué)家對(duì)202名退役球員的大腦進(jìn)行了研究。

These athletes, who had donated their brains for research, played at high school, college or professional levels. 

這些運(yùn)動(dòng)員曾在高中、大學(xué)或?qū)I(yè)球隊(duì)里玩橄欖球。

The scientists found CTE in 177 of the 202 brains. 

研究顯示，在202個(gè)大腦中，有177個(gè)患有CTE。

The scientists found especially high rates of CTE in the brains of former National Football League, or NFL, players. 

科學(xué)家發(fā)現(xiàn)，國(guó)家橄欖球聯(lián)盟（NFL）退役球員患CTE的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)特別高。

Out of the 111 former NFL players studied, 110 showed signs of CTE. 

在接受調(diào)查的111名國(guó)家橄欖球聯(lián)盟退役球員中，有110人出現(xiàn)了CTE的跡象。

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的人一生中會(huì)飽受行為或情緒問題的困擾。還有許多人患上癡呆癥。 

Amy McKee is one of the lead researchers at the Brain Bank. 

艾米·麥基（Amy McKee）是大腦銀行的首席研究人員之一。

She said CTE can affect even the brains of young people. 

她說CTE甚至可以影響年輕人的大腦。 

“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. 

“大家可以看到海馬體附近的區(qū)域，海馬體是大腦中負(fù)責(zé)學(xué)習(xí)和記憶的重要部分，我們可以看到那里也出現(xiàn)收縮。

To see this in such a young individual is quite startling.” 

在年輕人身上看到這一點(diǎn)相當(dāng)令人吃驚。

McKee says helmets can give some protection from CTE. But, she explains that the risks are still great. 

麥基指出，雖然頭盔可以提供一些防護(hù)。但是，風(fēng)險(xiǎn)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. 

她說：“它們（頭盔）不是解決CTE的根本途徑……他們只是讓患CTE的可能性降低，但是一旦出現(xiàn)頭部撞擊還是會(huì)有風(fēng)險(xiǎn)的?！?/p>

McKee and her team are now looking for ways to diagnose CTE before a player dies. 

麥基和團(tuán)隊(duì)正在尋找一種方法，在球員死亡前診斷出CTE。

They are also looking for drugs that might treat it. 

他們也在尋找治療這一癥狀的藥物。

I’m John Russell. 

約翰·羅塞爾為您播報(bào)。

【詞匯解析】

1.according to 通過

He and his father, according to local gossip, haven't been in touch for years.
當(dāng)?shù)仫L(fēng)傳，他和父親已多年未聯(lián)系了。

2.research center 研究中心

He also has established an environmental high school and a research center.
他還創(chuàng)辦了一所環(huán)境中學(xué)以及一個(gè)研究中心。

3.concern about 擔(dān)心

The Prime Minister swept aside concern about the rising cost of mortgages.
首相對(duì)按揭費(fèi)用上漲的憂慮置之不理。

4.known as 被稱為

China has always been known as a land of propriety and righteousness.
中國(guó)從來以禮義之邦著稱。