Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, more commonly known as CTE, is a disease caused by repetitive head injuries and brain trauma that is most commonly found in athletes, especially football players, boxers, and military veterans.
The most common effects of CTE include memory loss, depression, suicidal behavior, lack of impulsive control, aggressiveness, Parkinsonism, and dementia. CTE is different from many other diseases because it can’t be identified until post-mortem, which means it can’t be diagnosed until after death, making it untreatable.
The research used in attempts to treat CTE focuses on the “microtubule-associated protein tau,” also known as tau. Tau is the protein that forms neurofibrillary tangles and other harmful structures in the brain because of repetitive head injury, resulting in CTE.
These tangles and structures lead to interference with cell function and can eventually result in cell death, formally known as neurodegeneration. In CTE, the tau proteins cluster in a distinct pattern, usually around blood vessels and deep in the folds of the brain surface.
Endeavor Health is currently running a trial to confirm if doctors can diagnose CTE through a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, a nuclear imaging test which uses radioactive drugs, tracers, to show how organs and tissues are performing.
Using nearly 15 years worth of research, the hope is to be able to identify tau misfolds, and work towards treatment.
Riordan Athletic Trainer Anthony Rissotto ’17 said, “Early detection and treatments for CTE will only allow athletes at an early age to become safer for all athletes participating in athletics.”
Finding treatment and cure could potentially save the lives of many athletes.
“As a football athlete who has experienced multiple head injuries and hopes to continue a career in football, knowing that CTE will become treatable gives me hope that I can continue to do something I love and worry less about the risks,” said Riordan’s varsity running back, Adonyae Brown ’27.
According to Endeavor Health, “CTE is a risk for anyone who suffers repeated blows to the head, such as military personnel, victims of domestic violence and professional athletes. The repeated blows cause compounding damage and scarring on the brain.”
In a news release posted by Endeavor Health, Dr. Julian Bailes, said, “The hope is that if we can diagnose it while the patient is living, maybe we can treat some of the symptoms or limit their progression.”
This is the hope of many who suffer from CTE and their families.
Dr. Bailes added, “This could open many new doors to help those who suffer with the chronic effects of prior brain injury.”
