Should chess players leave their brains?

The headline in the NY Times reads: Athletes to Leave Brains to Concussion Study
What does the psychic warfare of chess do to the brain? How does it change the brain when one is "Hit with a shot?" For that matter, how does playing chess at a young age on a high level alter the brain? I recall thinking after reading, "Shady side: The life and crimes of Norman Tweed Whitaker, chessmaster" by John Hilbert, that Whitaker must have been adversely affected by the loss he suffered in his match with Jackson Showalter, as his behavior seemed to change afterwards. The same could be said about Tony Miles when he lost his preeminent position among the English GM's.