The brain of former University of Colorado and NFL linebacker Drew Wahlroos, who killed himself earlier this month, has been donated to Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center.
Wahlroos, 37, died Sept. 2 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said Tuesday that Wahlroos’ brain has been donated to Boston University, where researchers have conducted extensive studies on traumatic brain injuries in football players.
It wasn’t known whether Wahlroos’ family requested the donation, or if Wahlroos left instructions before his death.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, has been linked to memory loss, depression, aggression and suicidal behavior, and a recent study by Boston University found that 99 percent of players who donated their brains for research were found to have evidence of CTE.
Maria Ober, Boston University School of Medicine’s assistant dean of communications, said all brains that are donated undergo a complete neuropathological examination to test for CTE and other neurodegnerative diseases.
Wahlroos is the second well-known Buff to die by suicide in the last year, after former running back Rashaan Salaam killed himself in December.
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