by What is CTE?
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is a progressive degenerative brain disease found in athletes and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including concussions or subconcussive hits to the head. CTE is characterized by an buildup of tau protein in the form of neurofibrillary tangles within the brain. Tau protein is a normal protein that promotes healthy neuron function that in CTE begins to misfold and form toxic clumps.
Diagnosis can only occur post-mortem through examination of brain tissue. During life a diagnosis of CTE is not possible through current tests like MRI or CT scans. Symptoms often appear years or even decades after the trauma and includes mood and behavioral issues, cognitive deficits, and eventually progressive dementia.
Risk Factors for Developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Contact Sports Increase Risk
Participation in contact sports like American football, ice hockey, wrestling, boxing and others that frequently involve blows to the head is a main risk factor for CTE. Research has found evidence of CTE in the brains of athletes from high school through professional levels.
The risk seems to increase depending on number of years played, position played, and number of documented concussions. However, subconcussive hits that do not cause diagnosed concussions may also contribute since they are even more frequent than diagnosed concussions in contact sports.
Military Personnel Also at Risk
Serving in the military, especially in combat roles, has also been linked to an increased risk of CTE. Military personnel are at risk of blast-related brain injuries from explosions even if not directly sustaining a traumatic brain injury. The repeated exposure to blasts has been proposed as a risk factor for later developing CTE.
Genetics May Also Play a Role
There is emerging research looking at if genetics could affect someone’s risk and presentation of CTE. Studies have found that apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene variants, specifically the e4 allele, may increase both risk for CTE and accelerate its progression once present. This gene is also linked to increased Alzheimer’s disease risk and severity. Other gene variants are still under investigation as potential CTE risk factors.
Symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Mood and Behavioral Abnormalities
Changes in mood and behavior are often some of the earliest signs of CTE. This includes explosive angry outbursts, aggression, impulse control issues, depression and suicidality. Some of the behavioral symptoms resemble those of chronic traumatic stress and can result in problems like domestic violence or trouble with the law.
Cognitive Decline and Dementia
As CTE progresses cognitive deficits begin to appear in areas like attention, concentration, memory, and executive function. Eventually full-blown dementia resembling that of Alzheimer’s disease can develop along with symptoms like confusion, impaired judgment, and problems with planning and organization.
Movement Disorders
In later stages of severe CTE, movement problems may emerge like parkinsonism appearing as tremors or abnormal rigidity. In some cases full-blown amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can occur with CTE.
Diagnosing CTE
Can Only be Diagnosed Post-Mortem
As of now there is no consensus criteria or validated biomarker that allows accurate diagnosis of CTE during life. The only sure way is through post-mortem brain examination where neuropathologists look for tau protein abnormalities, TDP-43 inclusions, and atrophy patterns characteristic of CTE.
Experimental Techniques Emerging
Newer medical imaging techniques along with fluid biomarkers continue to be researched that may someday help support a clinical diagnosis of probable CTE, but none are validated yet. Experimental positron emission tomography (PET) scans using newer tracer compounds show promise in visualizing tau pathology in living individuals. Spinal fluid and plasma biomarkers for tau and other CTE-related brain changes are also in development.
Treatment and Prevention
No Cure, But Mitigating Risks
Currently there is no cure or treatment that stops or reverses CTE. However, strategies are aimed at preventing further brain trauma to minimize symptoms or slow progression once suspected CTE is present. This includes avoiding contact sports with risk of head impacts, addressing concussions promptly, and implementing safety rules changes in high-risk activities. Some therapies may help manage mood and behavioral symptoms but none alter the underlying neurodegeneration.
Future Directions
As more is learned about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy there is hope that improved diagnostic criteria, validated biomarkers and early detection will enable clinical trials to test preventative or neuroprotective therapies. Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise and cognitive stimulation may help preserve brain health and resilience against neurodegeneration. Ultimately a therapy that targets tau or other disease processes could potentially modify disease course, but remains a long term goal. Continued research giving greater understanding of CTE holds promise for advancing management in the years ahead.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
