The FA is conducting a 10-year prospective, closely-monitored research study, currently in its second full year and funded jointly with The PFA, on the effect of playing football on brain structure and function.

The research project commenced in season 2001-02 when over 30 elite players selected from ten academies, aged 18-19, were identified by their coaches as potentially having long careers in football. The selection was also position-specific, focusing on 10 defenders, 10 midfielders and 10 attackers in positions which require frequent heading of the ball. After receiving a full briefing and giving their consent, the players underwent thorough pre-research screening, including medical and neurological assessments and analysis of past medical history.

The research protocol involves players being in years one, five and ten years of the research programme by a specialist group of consultant neurological surgeon(s), clinical psychologists and consultant radiologists, conducting MRI scans of their brain structure, neurological assessments and psycho-motor tests.

FA Head of Medicine and Exercise Science Alan Hodson said: "Research of this scope, thoroughness and quality into the effects of a football career on the brain has not been undertaken before in association football. Only through a well-aimed prospective study can we accumulate data that can be accurately analysed. We are confident that this programme will provide a clear picture of how playing football, and in particular heading the ball, impacts both the structure and functioning of the brain."

Previous research into this area has tended to be retrospective with limited sample pools, and subject to extraneous variables that are difficult to assess, such as ball weight and water absorption as well as evolving heading and coaching techniques.