Former England rugby captain and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner Phil Vickery has announced that he will donate his brain to science after his death. He said that he hopes it will help researchers understand the long-term effects of repeated head injuries in sport in a better way. The decision comes after Vickery was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease caused due to repeated blows to the head. Phil Vickery Pledges To Donate His Brain Vickery's announcement has reignited conversations about the lasting neurological impact athletes face, particularly as hundreds of former rugby players continue to seek better support for concussion-related illnesses. CTE can only be diagnosed after death by examining brain tissue. By donating his brain, he hopes researchers can gain valuable insights into how repeated head trauma affects the brain, which can, in turn, help improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Speaking about his decision, Vickery questioned, "Is that gonna make someone stand up? I don't know. What a horrible thing to say. But what does it have to take?" Describing what life with suspected brain injury feels like, he said, "Brain injuries are with you all the time, 24/7, 365 days a year... it weighs heavy, and it grinds at you all the time. It won't beat me. I keep going."Also read: Impact Of Electronic Gadgets On Brain Health And The Role Of Ayurveda Phil Vickery's Diagnosis And The Rugby Concussion Lawsuit Vickery revealed that he received a diagnosis of probable CTE around two years ago. He is among more than 1,000 former rugby union and rugby league players involved in a legal case against governing bodies, including World Rugby, England's Rugby Football Union (RFU), the Welsh Rugby Union, and the Rugby Football League. Several former players involved in the case have reported serious neurological conditions, including dementia, memory loss, depression, and suspected CTE. The lawsuit alleges that the organisations failed to adequately protect players from repeated head injuries and concussion during their careers.Also read: Alzheimer's Sleep Loss May Be Reversible; Study Sparks Hope For New Treatments What Is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)? CTE is a progressive neurodegenerative disease believed to result from repeated head impacts over many years. It has been identified in athletes from contact sports such as rugby, American football, boxing, ice hockey, and soccer, as well as military veterans. Researchers believe repeated trauma leads to abnormal accumulation of a protein called tau inside the brain. Over time, this damages brain cells and affects normal brain function. One of the biggest challenges is that CTE cannot currently be diagnosed with certainty in living people. Doctors can only suspect the condition based on symptoms and clinical history. A definitive diagnosis requires examination of brain tissue after death.Also read: Scientists Say Changes In Brain In Your 40s & 50s May Influence Dementia Risk Symptoms Of CTE Symptoms usually appear years after repeated head injuries and may worsen over time. They can include: Memory lossDifficulty concentratingConfusionMood swingsDepressionAnxietyImpulsive behaviourAggressionProblems with judgementBalance and movement difficultiesDespite everything, Vickery says he still loves rugby. He said, "The sport's amazing... I would do it all again... I also sit here knowing there are lots of people out there... suffering because of the sport... Let's just help people."