(Head Injuries – Medical Legal, n.d.)
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative brain disease that is thought to be caused by repeated blows to the head (McKee et al., 2013). It commonly occurs in athletes who play contact sports, like football, hockey, and boxing (Montenigro et al., 2013). But is not limited to athletes who play contact sports, it has also been shown to occur with individuals who have been in accidents military service members.
The main characterization of CTE is the build-up of TAU protein throughout the brain which neuron cell death. Note: Neurons are what are commonly referred to as brain cells, which carry electrical messages throughout the brain. Below is an image of a brain with a severe case of CTE. The left image is a healthy brain while the right image is an advanced case of CTE.(Goldstein et al., 2015) The brain on the right has a significant number of less healthy brain cells, than the left. One thing that you can notice is that there is a lot of significantly less white matter.
(@neurochallenged, n.d.)
The reason for the effect is due to the TAU. TAU is located in the neuronal cell axon. These axons are insulted myelin, which is basically fat, that appears white, in the brain, which is where the name white matter comes from. So when these cells are damaged due to someone hitting their head, TAU protein is released in the brain showing that the axon is broken. This leads to a loss of white matter.
Symptoms of CTE
The symptoms of CTE vary case by case and by severity. The most common are cognitive problems resulting in memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Behavioral changes, including increased aggression, impulsivity, and mood swings. Including depression.headaches, dizziness, and balance problems (Goldstein et al., 2015).
The Hidden Toll
CTE is a silent menace because its symptoms can take years to appear (Montenigro et al., 2013). This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose and often leads to misdiagnosis. In fact, the only way to definitively diagnose CTE is through an autopsy of the brain (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Risk Factors
The primary risk factor for developing CTE is a history of repetitive head trauma or concussions (McKee et al., 2013). This means that athletes who play contact sports, and have suffered from multiple concussions during their career are at an increased risk of developing CTE. (Montenigro et al., 2013).
Treatment
Currently, there is no cure for CTE (Concussion Foundation, 2023), there is only treatment foucsed on mangaginging the symtons of linked to CTE and improving quality of life (Mayo Clinic, 2023). The treatments include medications to address specific symptoms such as mood swings, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment. Therapy which can pordvde suport for the inidvuls and loved ones, and lifestyle changes which may involve modifications to diet, exercise, and sleep.
Education
The Concussion Foundation (2023) states that preventing CTE calls for increasing education and awareness. It is imperative to raise awareness of the dangers of recurrent head trauma among players, coaches, and parents in order to encourage safe practices and spot possible injuries early. Increasing people's knowledge of CTE symptoms can also aid in their prompt treatment seeking. Implementing concussion precautions can also considerably lower the chance of acquiring CTE.
References
Goldstein, L. E., McKee, A. C., Cantu, H. C., Nowinski, C. J., Stern, R. A., et al. (2015). Recommendations for the classification and staging of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Neuropathology, 35(1), 309-314.
Head Injuries – Medical Legal. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2023, from https://medicallegal.co.za/elementor-425/
Mayo Clinic. (2023, October 4). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Retrieved from [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20370921]
McKee, A. C., Cantu, H. C., Nowinski, C. J., Stern, R. A., Vitale, V., et al. (2013). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in sports. J Neurosurg, 118(5), 1059-1097.
Montenigro, P. H., Baugh, C. M., Daneshvar, D. H., Mez, J., Keene, C. D., et al. (2013). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE): a review. Neuropathology, 33(1), 1-12.
@neurochallenged. (n.d.). Know Your Brain: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). @Neurochallenged. https://neuroscientificallychallenged.com/posts/know-your-brain-chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy-cte Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board