Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive degenerative brain disease that has been recently linked to repeated head trauma, such as that found in contact sports like football and boxing. CTE is characterized by the accumulation of tau, a protein that normally is found in the cells of the nervous system, in brain tissue. As CTE progresses, an individual’s brain function gradually becomes impaired.

Symptoms of CTE often appear in people older than 40, some as long as 15 to 20 years after a head injury. Common symptoms include memory loss, mood swings, impulse control problems, and aggression. CTE can eventually lead to dementia and death.

Medical researchers are attempting to better understand the pathophysiology of CTE and to find the link between the repeated head trauma and neurodegenerative changes that lead to CTE. While it was initially thought that CTE was caused by a single big hit to the head, recent research has found that repeated, lesser impacts may be more closely linked to the development of CTE.

As CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem, there are currently no tests to diagnose CTE in living patients.

A diagnosis of CTE can only be made with a definitive postmortem exam. Treatment of CTE is focused on the relief of symptoms, and the aim is to help individuals lead a functional life despite the challenges posed by the condition.

In recent years, public awareness of CTE has been increasingly raised due to the prevalence of CTE among retired professional football players and other athletes who suffered repeated brain injuries during their playing days. Thankfully, research efforts are continuing to grow, and it is hoped that increased awareness and further study will help in the prevention and treatment of CTE.

TannerMD