Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurological condition linked to repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries, primarily observed in athletes and military personnel. Symptoms include memory loss, behavioral changes, and dementia, often misattributed to aging or other diseases. Recent research aims to diagnose CTE in living individuals by detecting tau protein levels, which could enhance screening for at-risk populations.

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What is CTE?
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What Is CTE?
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Explained
The condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was formerly believed to exist primarily
among boxers, and was referred to as dementia pugilistica. It is a progressive degenerative disease which
afflicts the brain of people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries, such as
athletes who take part in contact sports, members of the military and others. The term encephalopathy
derives from Ancient Greek en- "in," kephale "head," and patheia "suffering." Chronic traumatic
encephalopathy is a condition of brain damage which persists over a period of years or decades and which is
the result of traumatic impacts to the cranium.
The brain of an individual who suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy gradually deteriorates and will
over time end up losing mass. Certain areas of the brain are particularly liable to atrophy, though other areas
are prone to becoming enlarged. Another aspect of CTE is that some areas of the brain experience an
accumulation of tau protein, a substance which serves to stabilize cellular structure in the neurons but which
may become defective and subsequently may cause major interference with the function of the neurons.
Symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
The symptoms of CTE can be debilitating and may have life-changing effects for both the individual and for
his or her family. Some of the most common include loss of memory, difficulty controlling impulsive or erratic
behavior, impaired judgment, behavioral disturbances including aggression and depression, difficult with
balance, and a gradual onset of dementia. An individual with CTE may mistakenly ascribe the symptoms to
the normal process of aging, or might receive a wrong diagnosis due to the fact that many of the symptoms
are similar to other conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. CTE has been diagnosed in several
notable cases which received widespread media attention, including the suicide deaths of NFL player Junior
Seau, and professional wrestler Chris Benoit who committed suicide after murdering his wife and son.
Diagnosing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Brain Injury Research Institute doctors Bennet I. Omalu, M.D. and Julian Bailes, M.D. were the first to
diagnose CTE in a professional football player in 2002. The condition has so far only been diagnosable through
Between 2001-2005, children and youth ages 5-18 years old accounted for 2.4
million sports-related emergency department (ED) visits annually, of which 6%
(135,000) involved a concussion.

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Phone: the post-mortem examination of the brain of an individual suspected of suffering from CTE. A grant provided
by our organization, however, made possible a recent UCLA study which appears to have opened the door to
being able to diagnose CTE in living test subjects, by identifying concentrations of tau protein. With diagnostic
tests which can identify the signs of early onset CTE, it would be possible to screen professional athlete,
military personnel and others who are at risk for developing this condition so as to safeguard their future
health and happiness. We are working tirelessly to discover further information which will make it possible to
diagnose CTE among the living, as well as to find a way to treat the condition. Our work is not funded by the
NFL or other professional sports organizations - in fact, the NFL initially attacked our claims that concussions
suffered while playing football could cause CTE. Instead, we are supported through fundraising and donations.
Contact us now to learn more about our work and to find out how you can help.
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