Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a progressive brain disease associated with repeated head impacts over time.
CTE has received increased attention because of its connection to contact sports and other activities where repeated head trauma can occur. Unlike a concussion, CTE is not generally associated with a single injury.
Here is what you should know about the causes of CTE, possible symptoms, and the importance of taking brain injuries seriously.
What Causes CTE?
The strongest known association with CTE is long-term exposure to repeated head impacts. These impacts do not always cause noticeable concussion symptoms.
Repeated head impacts can occur in contact and collision sports such as football, boxing, hockey, rugby, wrestling, and soccer. They may also occur during military service involving repeated blast exposure or in other circumstances involving frequent trauma to the head.
Importantly, the CDC states that there is no strong evidence showing that one or more concussions or occasional hits to the head lead to CTE.
Not everyone with a history of repeated head impacts develops CTE. Researchers continue to study how factors such as the amount and duration of exposure, genetics, and medical history may affect a person’s risk.
Can CTE Be Diagnosed While Someone Is Alive?
Currently, CTE can only be confirmed after death through an examination of brain tissue.
Researchers can compare these findings with information about the person’s health and symptoms during life, including medical records and information from family members.
Doctors can still evaluate symptoms in living patients and determine whether another condition may be responsible. Researchers are also studying brain imaging, biomarkers, and other methods that may one day help identify CTE during life.
What Are the Possible Symptoms of CTE?
Because CTE is confirmed after death, researchers have learned about its possible symptoms in part by comparing changes found in the brain with symptoms the person experienced during life.
Reported symptoms may involve:
Thinking and Memory
- Memory problems
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Problems with planning or decision-making
- Confusion
Mood and Behavior
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Impulsive behavior
- Aggression
- Changes in mood or behavior
Movement
- Balance or coordination problems
- Difficulty walking
- Tremors
- Slower movement
- Speech difficulties
Symptoms may develop gradually and may not become noticeable until years or even decades after repeated head trauma.
CTE vs. Concussion: What Is the Difference?
A concussion is a brain injury that can occur after a blow or jolt to the head or body. Symptoms may appear soon after the injury and can include headache, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or noise.
CTE is different. It is a progressive brain disease associated with a history of repeated head impacts over time, and it can currently only be definitively diagnosed after death.
If you experience symptoms after a recent head injury, seek medical care to be evaluated for a concussion or another type of brain injury.
Contact Our TORKLAW Brain Injury Attorneys
CTE is one of several serious brain conditions associated with head trauma. While CTE develops differently from a concussion or other traumatic brain injury, any head injury should be taken seriously.
If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury because of someone else’s negligence, our TORKLAW brain injury attorneys can review what happened and help you understand your legal options.
Contact TORKLAW 24/7 for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About CTE
What are the symptoms of CTE?
CTE has been associated with changes involving memory and thinking, mood and behavior, and movement. Because these symptoms can have many different causes, they do not necessarily indicate CTE.
Can you get CTE from a car accident?
CTE is associated with repeated head impacts over time, not a single event like a car accident. However, a car accident can cause a concussion or another traumatic brain injury.
How early can CTE symptoms start?
Symptoms associated with CTE may not become noticeable until years or even decades after repeated head trauma. The timing can vary, and researchers are still studying how the disease develops and progresses.
Are seizures a symptom of CTE?
Seizures have been reported in some people with CTE, but they are not specific to the disease and can have many other causes. Anyone experiencing a seizure should seek medical evaluation.