Introduction
In the 1920s, CTE was first investigated in boxers as "punch-drunk syndrome." Chief medical examiner Harrison Stanford Martland described the condition's hallmark tremors, sluggish mobility, disorientation, and speech issues in a Journal of the American Medical Association paper.
A 1949 study titled "Punch-drunk syndromes: the chronic traumatic encephalopathy of boxers" was written by British neurologist Macdonald Critchley. When CTE was initially identified, it was thought only to afflict boxers and not other sportsmen who had sustained significant head trauma. The term chronic traumatic encephalopathy became most commonly used as information about the neuropathological and clinical effects of moderate head trauma increased, indicating that this pattern of neurodegeneration was not exclusive to boxers. The National Institutes of Health in the United States officially recognized in October 2022 that recurrent head trauma was a cause of chronic brain injury (CTE).
What Is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?
The brain condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is most likely brought on by recurrent head trauma. It results in degeneration or the death of brain nerve cells. CTE deteriorates with time. A conclusive diagnosis of CTE can only be made after a post-mortem brain autopsy.
CTE is an uncommon illness with little current knowledge. There does not seem to be a single brain injury that causes CTE. It has to do with recurrent head trauma, which frequently happens in combat or contact sports. Second impact syndrome, in which a second head injury occurs before the symptoms of the first head injury have completely healed, has been linked to the development of CTE. It severely impairs a person's capacity for thought, reasoning, and world navigation. This is in contrast to Alzheimer's disease, which mainly affects memory.
What Are the Causes of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy(CTE)?
Multiple factors contribute to the development of CTE. Among these are:
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Recurrent Traumatic Head Injury: These hits do not have to cause someone to lose consciousness, sometimes referred to as "knocked out." Rather, repetitive head blows have cumulative effects over time. That may lead to the development of CTE.
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Accumulation of Damaged Proteins in the Brain: Proteins are intricate molecules that the body employs for many purposes. Tau (a protein named after a Greek letter) is a crucial component of the brain. Another important factor in the development of CTE is the tau protein. The structure of proteins is essential to their function. Similar to how a lock requires a key with the proper form, the cells can only use a protein if it has the proper shape. On the other hand, if a protein is changed, it will not function properly and may even spread to other parts of the brain. Currently, CTE is diagnosed by looking for a particular pattern in the brain that indicates a changed form of the tau protein.
What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?
Depending on the extent and location of the brain injury, different CTE symptoms exist. The cliché of a punch-drunk boxer with slurred speech and cognitive impairment represents a more advanced stage. Simple symptoms like mood swings, trouble concentrating, and memory loss might be early indicators. As the illness worsens, more obvious symptoms appear, such as:
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Issues with organizing, deciding, and planning are signs of executive dysfunction.
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Behavior changes include increased impulsivity, aggressiveness, and social disengagement.
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Mood disorders like emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and depression.
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Sleep disorders include difficulties falling and staying asleep.
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An irregular gait characterized by balance and coordination issues.
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Symptoms of Parkinsonism include stiffness, tremors, and slowness of movement.
How Is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Diagnosed?
A person cannot be definitively diagnosed with CTE while they are still living. The only method to accomplish that is to look under a microscope at samples of a dead person's brain, which can only be done during an autopsy. Experts may not be able to diagnose CTE before death. However, they can still establish a presumptive diagnosis based on the symptoms and the neurological and physical examination results. In addition, they will go over the history of past head traumas and suggest specific laboratory and imaging testing. The most popular tests are unable to identify CTE. Rather, they exclude other circumstances. Among them are:
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CT scans (computed tomography).
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MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
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PET scans (positron emission tomography).
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Examination of cerebrospinal fluid obtained by lumbar puncture or spinal tap.
What Are the Treatment and Management Strategies for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?
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Treatment: CTE has no known treatment. Certain symptoms may be treated, and these treatments differ based on the symptoms, medical history, and other factors. One may also include a variety of lifestyle practices that support overall brain health.
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Management: There is still hope, even though there is no treatment for CTE. A multifaceted strategy can assist in symptom management and enhance the impacted individuals' quality of life. This might consist of:
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Medication: Medications for sleep disorders, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants may provide some help.
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Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can assist people with CTE in learning coping strategies for handling emotional and cognitive issues.
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Lifestyle Changes: A balanced diet, consistent exercise, and proper sleep hygiene can all help to maintain the general health and well-being of the brain.
How to Prevent Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?
The greatest strategy to lower the risk of CTE is to minimize the amount of head traumas encountered. Furthermore, there are easy ways to lessen the likelihood of suffering a concussion, a condition in which a hit to the head can result in noticeable symptoms:
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Play It Safe: When participating in contact sports like ice hockey or American football, use the proper protective gear. The chance of suffering a concussion can be decreased by wearing a helmet and other safety equipment. It is also critical to play responsibly and avoid circumstances that might lead to an accident or put one in danger.
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Play No Games When Injured: Brushing it off and pretending to be alright is easy. A concussion can occur without unconsciousness, although it might be hazardous to take another blow after one has already occurred.
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When Riding on Wheels, Always Wear a Helmet: Helmets are necessary for everyone who enjoys sports like skating, rollerblading, cycling, and related activities. They have a significant impact on reducing the risk of concussions.
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Put on the Seat Belt: For those who are not athletes, car accidents are a common source of concussions. If one already has a concussion, wearing a seatbelt can lessen its severity or lower the risk of getting one.
Conclusion
The study of CTE is an intricate and developing area. Promoting cooperation among scientists, physicians, athletes' groups, and public health organizations may enhance understanding of this debilitating illness. By conducting more research, developing preventative measures, and enhancing management techniques, one can significantly reduce the danger of CTE and preserve the brains of individuals most at risk.
