Dr. Maroon received an athletic scholarship to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where as an undergraduate, he was named a Scholastic All-American in football. Dr. Maroon has successfully maintained his personal athletic interests through participation in 9 marathons and more than 72 Olympic-distance triathlon events. However, his greatest athletic accomplishment is his participation in 8 Ironman triathlons (Hawaii – 1993, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2013; Canada – 1995; New Zealand – 1997; Germany – 2000), where he usually finishes in the top 10 of his age group. Recently, in July 2012 and 2013, he finished second and third, respectively, in his age group in the Muncie, Indiana half Ironman triathlon. In October 2013 he completed his 5th World Championship Ironman in Kona, Hawaii.Dr. Maroon Interviewed by retired NFL player Jason Kelce about Chuck Noll Foundation Research
Jason Kelce and Dr. Maroon
Dr. Joseph Maroon, neurosurgeon and one of the founding members of the Chuck Noll Foundation was interviewed by retired NFL player, Jason Kelce. Specifically they discussed concussions, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other topics of concussion prevention and treatments. They also discussed in detail the study being conducted by Dr. Pravat Mandal in the Department of Neurosurgery and Radiology being conducted at UPMC.
This study involves the use of brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy to evaluate possible glutathione deficiency (a powerful antioxidant used to protect the brain) in the brain, compared to possible cognitive, behavioral and mood disturbances.
The Study is being sponsored by the Chuck Noll foundation and currently is enlisting former NFL players, Navy seals and other combat warriors with a history of repetitive head injury.
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Feb 17, 2025 Dr. Joseph Maroon has been at the forefront of investigating the causes, testing and treatment for traumatic head injury. The Chuck Noll Foundation recently announce it has issued a large grant ($300 K) for the study of former NFL players and Navy SEALs, to determine the possible brain benefits of attempting to increase the brain antioxidant, Glutathione. University of Pittsburgh and lead researcher, Dr Pravat Mandel, will be leading the study.
Dr. Maroon will be an advisor to Dr. Pravat Mandal. For the last three years, Drs. Maroon and Mandell have been collaborating on brain research of Glutathione, and specifically its ability to repair the brain and other tissues from oxidative damage. Cellular oxidative stress is believed to be the universal root cause of chronic disease, degenerative conditions and reduced human longevity. Dr. Pravat has shown, using a non-invasive MRI, that Glutathione is significantly reduced in brain conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury. (See image below)
As the first neurosurgical consultant in the NFL over 40 years ago, Dr. Maroon has worked to identify and treat brain injury in contact athletes, military and other sources of traumatic injury to the brain. With the support of the Chuck Noll Foundation, founded by the Pittsburgh Steelers Organization, in 2017, Dr. Maroon and the other experts participating in this study, hope to further understand traumatic head injury and perhaps reduce the brain damage and symptoms associated with this condition.
Go to this link – Dr. Joseph Maroon Discusses Oxidative Stress and The Benefits of Glutathione, to better understand the potential of this research.