Iconic BMX biker Dave Mirra had CTE

FILE - In a Friday, June 24, 2005 file photo, X-Games athlete Dave Mirra poses in the half-pipe at his training facility in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

TORONTO (AP) — Doctors have reportedly concluded that BMX rider Dave Mirra, who took his own life in February, suffered from the brain disease CTE.

ESPN reports a neuropathologist at the University of Toronto and two others have confirmed the diagnosis. CTE is short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has been tied to repeated brain trauma and associated with symptoms such as memory loss, depression and progressive dementia.

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Mirra died at age 41 on Feb. 4 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Mirra was one of the most decorated athletes in X Games history, winning 14 gold medals and 24 overall.

He also hosted MTV's "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" and lent his name to two video games.


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