WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A New Zealand professional rugby player who died by suspected suicide last year had advanced chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain abnormality linked to repeated concussions, according to a post-mortem examination.The diagnosis was announced Thursday by Coroner Ian Telford, who is conducting a preliminary hearing into the death of Shane Christie who died in August aged 39.CTE is a disease which causes progressive damage to brain tissue and has been known to cause mood swings, impulsive behavior and depression, among other symptoms. It can only be diagnosed after death.Christie was a former New Zealand Maori representative who believed he was suffering from CTE and campaigned for greater understanding of the condition after the death of his friend and fellow rugby professional Billy Guyton, also by suspected suicide. The abnormality has also been linked to deaths in the National Football League and in other sports such as hockey and soccer.Friends and family of Christie said he wanted his diagnosis made public to raise awareness of CTE for players suffering its symptoms.Christie, who played Super Rugby for the Crusaders and Highlanders in New Zealand, retired from rugby in 2018 after suffering the effects of repeated concussions.The coroner said pathologist Dr. Clinton Turner had confirmed “the diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which he characterizes as ‘high stage’.” Turner works at the University of Auckland “brain bank” to which Guyton and Christie h …
