Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), << ehn sehf uh LOP uh thee, >> is a brain condition that results from repeated head injuries. People with CTE often show disturbances in behavior and personality. They may exhibit apathy, aggression, depression, irritability, impulsiveness, suicidal behavior, memory loss, and difficulty thinking. CTE was first observed among boxers and known as dementia pugilistica. Medical researchers have found that CTE also occurs in association with other sports and activities. They include football, hockey, soccer, and professional wrestling. Increased awareness of CTE has led to a push for additional caution in dealing with concussions and other head injuries among youth, high school, college, and professional athletes.
Repeated concussions can lead to CTE. CTE may also result from milder kinds of repeated brain trauma. They include head trauma common in military combat, physical abuse, and repetitive head-banging behaviors.
CTE causes progressive brain shrinkage and loss of nerve cells. The damage occurs in areas that influence the ability to think clearly, make wise choices, plan, organize information, and store memories. The condition can lead to forgetfulness, mood changes, depression, and changes in behavior. As CTE progresses, people may also develop dementia and difficulties walking or talking. Under a microscope, brains with CTE show dense accumulations of tangled protein filaments within cells. The tangles are composed of an abnormal protein called tau. Similar tangles are seen in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (see Alzheimer’s disease ).
A person may be exposed to repetitive brain injury early in life, yet the symptoms of CTE may not show up until decades later. There is no single test used to identify people with CTE. Medical researchers are working to find better ways to diagnose and treat CTE.
See also Concussion ; Dementia .
