November 10, 2024
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: The Hidden Danger of Repetitive Brain Injuries

What is CTE?

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma, including athletes with repetitive head injury. CTE has been discovered in football players and boxers but can affect anyone exposed to repetitive brain trauma, such as military veterans.

Symptoms of CTE

CTE symptoms may not appear until years or even decades after the last brain injury or end of active athletic involvement. However, researchers have found CTE in individuals as young as 17 years old. Early symptoms of CTE include confusion, impaired judgment, anxiety, depression and suicidality as well as symptoms related to memory and behavior. As CTE progresses, symptoms worsen and can include aggressive behavior, progressive dementia, speech and gait abnormalities.

CTE and Its Link to Repeated Head Impacts

CTE results from repeated head impacts that cause damage to brain tissue and structures over time. While a single concussion or isolated head impact is generally not linked to CTE on its own, repeated concussive and subconcussive impacts can start a degenerative process in the brain that is unique to CTE. Studies of athletes in contact sports such as football and boxing involving repetitive head impacts have found high rates of CTE even years after retirement from their sport.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Athletes

Many studies have focused on the link between CTE and athletes in contact sports with repetitive impacts. Autopsy studies of former NFL players have found extremely high rates of CTE, even in players without a history of concussion. CTE has also been discovered in college and high school football athletes as well as other contact sports like wrestling, soccer, hockey and rugby. Younger athletes may be even more susceptible to CTE due to the increased window of exposure to head impacts during critical periods of brain development.

CTE in Other at-Risk Populations
While CTE rates are highest among contact sport athletes, the disease is not limited to sports. Military veterans exposed to blast injuries also have high CTE rates. CTE has been reported in individuals with a history of domestic violence, epileptic seizures or experiencing physical abuse as children. Occupational exposure to repetitive head impacts in construction or other industrial fields may also increase CTE risk over time. Further research is needed but these findings indicate CTE can develop from repetitive head trauma in many settings, not just sports.

Diagnosing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

CTE cannot be definitively diagnosed until after death since diagnosis requires analysis of brain tissue. During life, doctors use patients’ symptoms and history to identify possible CTE, but brain scans and biological markers are not yet accurate for diagnosis. At autopsy, CTE is diagnosed by the presence of tau protein clusters and neurodegeneration in specific areas of the brain. Early signs include tau buildup around small blood vessels deep in brain areas like the cortex. Later stage CTE shows tau deposits in brain regions involved in functions like memory and behavior.

Searching for Treatments and Prevention Strategies

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat CTE’s progression or symptoms. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy. Preventing head impacts is the best strategy for lowering CTE risk. Rules changes in contact sports aim to reduce head impacts, and equipment evolve to better protect the head. Studies evaluate if limiting certain activities during development or earlier retirement can lower CTE risk. Emerging biomarkers may one day help track disease progression. Neuroprotective compounds are researched as potential future CTE treatments. Continued research is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy rates in at-risk populations highlight the terrible toll of repetitive brain trauma. While more research is needed, CTE increasingly represents a serious public health concern. Efforts must continue toward developing accurate diagnosis, means of tracking progression, and effective therapies. However, preventing exposure to repetitive brain trauma through equipment innovation and activity modification remains the best hope for lowering CTE risk long-term until medical breakthroughs occur. Heightened awareness of CTE’s risks can empower individuals, families and society to make informed choices to protect brain health.

*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it

About Author - Money Singh

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, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.  LinkedIn Profile

About Author - Money Singh

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, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.  LinkedIn Profile

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