Reports: BU doctors request to study Seau's brain

BOSTON (WHDH) -- The concerns about long-term effects of concussions have been reignited because of Junior Seau’s death.

There is no official link between depression and concussions, but it is something that doctors at Boston University Medical Center are hoping to study.

The Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, according to Sports Illustrated, has requested the chance to study Junior Seau’s brain.

The center has reportedly been working with the NFL, focusing on potential links between repeated blows to the head and how they affect professional football players in the post-retirement years.

Just one year ago, former NFL player Dave Duerson committed suicide after shooting himself in the chest. He instructed his brain to be donated to Boston University for study.

The report to study Seau’s brain comes on the same day more than 100 former NFL players filed a federal lawsuit, charging the league didn’t properly protect its players from concussion.

The NFL said any allegations that the league sought to mislead players is without merit.

“It’s not like it was. If you even mention a headache -- they’re taking your helmet. They’re not joking around anymore about concussions,” said Trevor Scott, a Patriots player.