Journal Article

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: neurodegeneration following repetitive concussive and subconcussive brain trauma

Baugh, Christine M., Stamm, Julie M., Nowinski, Christopher J., Riley, David O., Gavett, Brandon E., Shenton, Martha E., Lin, Alexander, Cantu, Robert C., McKee, Ann C., Stern, Robert A.

2012

Overview

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease thought to be caused, at least in part, by repetitive brain trauma, including concussive and subconcussive injuries. It is thought to result in executive dysfunction, memory impairment, depression and suicidality, apathy, poor impulse control, and eventually dementia. Beyond repetitive brain trauma, the risk factors for CTE remain unknown. CTE is neuropathologically characterized by aggregation and accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau and TDP-43. Recent postmortem findings indicate that CTE may affect a broader population than was initially conceptualized, particularly contact sport athletes and those with a history of military combat. Given the large population that could potentially be affected, CTE may represent an important issue in public health. Although there has been greater public awareness brought to the condition in recent years, there are still many research questions that remain. Thus far, CTE can only be diagnosed post-mortem. Current research efforts are focused on the creation of clinical diagnostic criteria, finding objective biomarkers for CTE, and understanding the additional risk factors and underlying mechanism that causes the disease. This review examines research to date and suggests future directions worthy of exploration.

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Brain Concussion - complications / Brain Concussion - diagnosis / Brain Injury, Chronic - diagnosis / Brain Injury, Chronic - etiology / Chronic traumatic encephalopathy / Humans / Indexing in process / Medical imaging / mTBI Special Issue / Neurodegeneration / Neuroimaging - methods / Neuropsychology / Neuroradiology / Neurosciences / Psychiatry / Traumatic brain injury