A brain disorder that is usually caused by repeated head injuries is called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). It often causes degeneration (death of the brain’s nerve cells) that worsens over time. The only way to confirm this condition is after death, during the autopsy of the brain.
This condition occurs quite rarely, and experts do not fully understand it. Usually, CTE does not appear after a single head injury, and it is linked with frequent head injuries that often happen in contact sports or military combat. Furthermore, healthcare professionals think that CTE is linked with a head trauma before the previous one is completely healed.
Healthcare specialists continue to study how multiple head injuries cause CTE and other factors that may contribute to it. This condition was found in people who played U.S. football, boxing, and other contact sports. However, military members who were exposed to explosives may also develop this condition. The most common CTE symptoms include thinking and behavioral problems and emotional distress. Physicians think that previous symptoms occur years to decades after head trauma.
Usually, this condition cannot be diagnosed during life, except in people with high-risk exposures. While experts develop specific biomarkers for CTE, none have been validated yet. When a person experiences CTE symptoms, physicians may diagnose traumatic encephalopathy syndrome.
It is quite difficult to say how often it happens and what exactly causes it. Unfortunately, CTE cannot be cured.
Symptoms
However, there are no specific symptoms that can be linked with CTE. Multiple symptoms that are thought to be caused by CTE may also occur due to other health conditions. Cognitive, behavioral, mood, and motor changes are symptoms noticed in people with confirmed CTE at autopsy.
Cognitive Impairment
- Memory loss
- Thinking problems
- Difficulties with planning, organization, and carrying out tasks
Behavioral Changes
- Aggression
- Impulsive behavior
Mood Disorders
- Substance misuse
- Suicidal thoughts or even behavior
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Apathy
Motor Symptoms
- Walking and balance problems
- Parkinsonism that leads to shaking, reduced movement, and speech problems
- Motor neuron disease (a condition that destroys specific cells responsible for walking, speaking, swallowing, and breathing)
Healthcare providers believe that this condition appears over the years or decades after multiple head traumas. They think that chronic traumatic encephalopathy may happen in 2 forms. In younger adults, the first form of CTE may cause behavioral problems and mental disorders. Possible symptoms may include impulsive behavior, aggression, depression, and anxiety.
The second form of this disease causes symptoms later in life (approximately after 60 years old). For example, thinking problems and memory loss.
In addition, a complete list of signs that indicate CTE at autopsy is still not known.
It is advised to see a doctor right away if any of the following symptoms occur. These include suicidal thoughts, head injuries, memory problems, or personality or mood changes.
Causes
Probably, repeated head trauma is the primary cause of CTE. People who play football in the U.S., ice hockey, and military members are more prone to having multiple head traumas that may lead to CTE. However, repeated head traumas may also occur in other sports, as well as physical abuse.
Concussions that occur during head injuries may lead to memory problems, headaches, and other symptoms. In any case, not everyone who experiences recurrent concussions develops CTE. Recent studies showed that multiple concussions do not increase the risk of developing CTE.
In addition, researchers have found a protein buildup (called tau) around the blood vessels in people with CTE. Accumulation of these proteins is also found in people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia types as well. Experts believe that CTE causes atrophy due to damage to the nerve cells that conduct electrical impulses.
Sometimes, people with CTE may notice symptoms of other neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or frontotemporal lobar degeneration (also called frontotemporal dementia).
The only risk factor thought to elevate the risk of CTE is multiple traumatic brain injuries, but it is not certain because healthcare providers are still learning about the risk factors.
How to Prevent Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy?
The only way to reduce the risk or prevent CTE is to avoid recurrent concussions, because it is thought to increase the risk of developing it. Current recommendations to prevent CTE are to avoid mild traumatic brain injuries, especially if you have not fully recovered after a previous one.
Diagnosis
While it is not possible to confirm this disease during life, physicians have developed some clinical criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES). This is a disorder associated with CTE. In most cases, CTE is suspected in people with repeated brain traumas. However, CTE diagnosis requires evidence of brain tissue degeneration and tau deposits. Unfortunately, these changes can be noticed only during autopsy after death.
Nowadays, researchers try to find tests that can be used to diagnose CTE during life. In any case, the hope is to use neuropsychological and brain imaging tests, including specialized MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans and biomarkers, to diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Treatment
There are no treatments available for CTE. This brain condition is progressive (worsens over time). However, experts continue studying possible treatments for this disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of a person with CTE?
The life expectancy for those who suffer from CTE fluctuates because it depends on multiple factors. For example:
- Age – The average age of death for people with this condition is 65 years.
- Existing health problems – The risk of developing other health problems increases with aging. For example, older adults are more likely to develop other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- Substance misuse
- Accidental death or suicide – People with CTE are more likely to have suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Can CTE be diagnosed in a living person?
There are no tests that can diagnose this condition during life. It is usually identified during an autopsy after death.
What are the symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy?
- Depression
- Speech and balance problems
- Trouble learning new things
- Decreased driving ability
- Loss of motivation
- Sleeping disturbances (insomnia)
- Aggression
This article does not contain all possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy symptoms. If you experience any of the previous symptoms or others that cause concerns, immediately visit a healthcare provider.
