Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

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Why in News?

Football Player, Shane Tamura who killed four people in New York claimed he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – It is a progressive brain disorder caused by repeated head injuries or concussions.

Concussions cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull, potentially stretching and damaging brain cells.

The term "CTE" stands for:
- Chronic - Long-lasting and ongoing.
- Traumatic – Linked to injury to trauma.
- Encephalopathy – A disease of the brain.
Symptoms - Early symptoms like Depression, aggression, mood swings, and personality changes.
As the disease progresses, people may experience confusion, memory loss, and difficulty with planning or decision-making.
In advanced cases, movement problems can also develop.
Common Occurrence - CTE has been most commonly observed in athletes involved in sports such as football, boxing, and hockey, as well as military veterans exposed to blast injuries.
Victims of domestic violence or others with a history of frequent head injuries.
Diagnosis - The disease can only be definitively diagnosed after death, during autopsy.
Treatment - Currently no treatment or cure for CTE.

Quick Facts

Commotio Celebri - Hippocrates described commotio celebri, ‘commotion of the brain’ as a vigorous shake or blow to the head that caused temporary loss of speech, hearing, and sight.

Punck Drunk Syndrome - Martland coined the term “Punch drunk” to describe this disease that afflicted pugilists.
First identified in 1920’s among boxers. It most often affects fighters of the who are usually poor boxers and who take considerable head punishment, seeking only to land a knockout blow.

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