CTE

What is the definition of in American Football?

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE, is a progressive and degenerative brain disease prominently linked to contact sports such as American football and boxing. In recent years, CTE has gained increased attention due to its potential association with repeated concussions or subconcussive head impacts sustained by athletes during their careers. The disease is thought to result in the deterioration of brain matter, causing emotional, cognitive, and physical issues in affected individuals.

The symptoms of CTE often include difficulty with thinking and emotions, as well as physical problems and behavioral changes. At present, the disease can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem through the examination of brain tissue. Researchers are actively studying CTE to better understand its prevalence, risk factors, and potential strategies for prevention and treatment. The ongoing conversation around CTE and its potential impact on player safety in contact sports underscores the importance of raising awareness and finding ways to mitigate the risk of developing this debilitating brain disease.

Key Takeaways

• CTE is a degenerative brain disease associated with contact sports, including American football.
• Symptoms include cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral issues.
• CTE can currently only be diagnosed post-mortem, and its prevalence and risk factors are still being investigated.

Understanding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

The Basics

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease thought to be associated with a history of repetitive head impacts, such as those sustained through contact sports or military combat. Over time, repetitive brain trauma leads to a buildup of a protein called tau, which can cause neurological symptoms. It is important to note that CTE can progress even after the cessation of head impacts.

Relation to Football

In American football, players are regularly exposed to repeated hits to the head, increasing their risk for CTE. The high-impact nature of professional football, particularly in tackle football, has been directly attributed to an alarming number of former NFL players being diagnosed with this progressive form of cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, the use of helmets can help mitigate some of the risks associated with head injuries.

Prevalence and Potential Risks

The prevalence of CTE is not limited to NFL players; it can also affect athletes from a range of sports and even military veterans. Boxers, for instance, are especially susceptible to the disease due to the repeated blows to the head that are inherent to the sport. Symptoms of CTE can include headaches, memory loss, and cognitive decline, with the potential to eventually lead to dementia and death.

Medical Investigations and Findings

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive head impacts and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often observed in professional American football players. Symptoms of CTE include memory loss, cognitive impairment, depression, mood swings, and even suicidal thoughts. Aggression, impulsivity, and behavioral changes can also occur.

Diagnosing CTE involves a detailed patient history and neurological examinations. Currently, a definitive diagnosis can only be made after an autopsy. Researchers at Boston University have found that the presence of abnormal tau protein in the brain, which causes degeneration of nerve cells, is a key indicator of CTE.

Effects and Long-Term Consequences

CTE can lead to severe consequences, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions. Deterioration of the frontal cortex, which plays a vital role in cognitive functions, is common in patients with the disease. In advanced stages, CTE can cause atrophy in the brain and present symptoms similar to frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as motor neuron disease.

Players who have suffered multiple concussions or repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries are at higher risk of developing CTE. Post-mortem examinations of the brains of deceased NFL players, such as Mike Webster and Demaryius Thomas, have revealed the presence of CTE.

Ongoing Studies and Research

One organization heavily involved in CTE research is the Concussion Legacy Foundation, working in collaboration with Boston University’s CTE Center. Leading neurologist Ann McKee has played a significant role in advancing our understanding of the disease.

Current research is focused on finding ways to diagnose CTE in living patients. Techniques such as PET scans and the identification of blood biomarkers are being explored to detect the presence of tau proteins.

Genetics may also play a role in CTE susceptibility, with some individuals being more prone to developing the condition following head traumas. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) are among the agencies supporting research on the genetic factors involved in CTE.

In recent studies, researchers have found that 91.7% of former NFL players and 87% of deceased football players had CTE. As the evidence linking football to CTE mounts, awareness for proper concussion management, recovery time, and minimizing repetitive head impacts has grown. Former NFL player Chris Borland, for example, made the decision to retire early due to concerns over the long-term effects of head trauma.

Overall, ongoing research and investigations are essential for understanding and addressing the prevalence of CTE in football and other contact sports.