Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Impossible To Diagnose
Multiple sources indicate that approximately one-third of former NFL players believe they have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This number is based on a study of nearly 2,000 former NFL players. The study found that 34 percent of the participants believed they had CTE, and those individuals were more likely to report cognitive symptoms, depression, suicidal thoughts, chronic pain, and other problems than those who did not have concerns about CTE.
Among a group of nearly 2,000 former NFL players, one-third think that they have CTE, a degenerative brain disease that can cause symptoms such as cognitive impairment, behavioral and mood changes, and motor problems, according to new findings from the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University.
Researchers surveyed retired football players whose careers spanned from 1960 to 2020. Of the 1,980 former players surveyed, 681 said that they thought they had CTE.
More than 230 said they’d had suicidal thoughts and 176 said they had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. But since CTE can only be diagnosed by a brain autopsy after death, it’s not known if players’ symptoms are a result of CTE or other causes.
“A key takeaway from this study is that many conditions common to former NFL players such as sleep apnea, low testosterone, high blood pressure and chronic pain can cause problems with thinking, memory and concentration,” said Grashow, director of epidemiological research initiatives for the Football Players Health Study and a senior research scientist at Harvard Chan School, in a September 23 NPR story. “While we wait for advances in CTE research to better address living players’ experiences, it is imperative that we identify conditions that are treatable. These efforts may reduce the chances that players will prematurely attribute symptoms to CTE which may lead to hopelessness and thoughts of self-harm.”
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy typically presents with several of the same symptoms seen in those who suffer from other kinds of dementia, including memory loss, aggression, confusion depression, impaired judgement, difficulty controlling impulses, erratic behavior, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, trouble sleeping, dizziness and trouble balancing. Changes in the brain and related symptoms may begin months or years—or even decades—after the last brain trauma incident.
CTE can only be definitively diagnosed through a post-mortem examination of the brain.
Therefore, it is possible that some of the players who believe they have CTE may not actually have the condition. Additionally, the study did not include all former NFL players, so it is possible that the actual percentage of players who fear CTE is higher or lower than 34 percent.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a progressive degenerative disease affecting people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries, that may occur in some athletes and others who have been exposed to concussions and repetitive head impacts. One theory about the cause of CTE is that repeated injuries to the brain causes a buildup of an abnormal form of the tau protein which may interfere with the function of the brain’s neurons. Not everyone who has a brain injury or who has been exposed to repetitive head impacts develops CTE. In fact, at this time, research has not yet revealed how many or which individuals exposed to repetitive injuries will develop this condition.
While both Alzheimer’s disease and CTE may present with similar symptoms, significant differences do exist between the two. Alzheimer’s disease typically presents with memory complaints and problems, whereas the initial symptoms of CTE are often problems with impaired judgment and reasoning, impulse control and aggression. The primary reason for the difference between Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other forms of dementia is the different regions of the brain that are impacted. In Alzheimer’s disease, short-term memory loss is the primary symptom, which means that the hippocampus portion of the brain is suffering from neurodegeneration and deteriorating. In Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders are the primary symptom, which means that the cerebellum is deteriorating. The cerebellum is primarily responsible for coordinating movement, balance, and posture. It receives information from the spinal cord, muscles, and joints, and processes it to fine-tune movements.
In CTE, the frontal lobes are the portion of the brain that is suffering neurodegeneration. The frontal lobes are behind the forehead and often the region of the head that takes the brunt of the impact in contact sports. While the cerebellum plays a crucial role, other brain regions also contribute to motion and movement:
- Motor cortex: Located in the frontal lobe, the motor cortex initiates voluntary movements.
- Basal ganglia: These structures help plan and initiate movements, as well as regulate muscle tone.
- Brainstem: The brainstem coordinates basic movements, such as walking and breathing.
Together, these brain regions work in harmony to produce smooth, coordinated movements.
The number of athletes who have been posthumously diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) has grown significantly in recent years. This degenerative brain disease is linked to repeated head impacts, often experienced in contact sports like football, boxing, and hockey.
Here are a few well-known athletes who were diagnosed with CTE after their deaths:
- Mike Webster: A former Pittsburgh Steelers center and four-time Super Bowl champion, Webster suffered from severe cognitive decline and mental health issues in his later years. His autopsy revealed Stage 3 CTE.
- Junior Seau: A former NFL linebacker known for his aggressive playing style, Seau tragically took his own life in 2012. His brain was donated for research and was found to have Stage 3 CTE.
- Aaron Hernandez: The former New England Patriots tight end, who was convicted of murder, was also found to have Stage 3 CTE after his death by suicide.
- Andre Waters: A former Philadelphia Eagles safety, Waters struggled with addiction and mental health problems before his death. He was diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE.
- Vincent Jackson: Chargers
- Demaryius Thomas: Denver Broncos
- Ken Stabler: The Raiders
- Frank Gifford: New York Giants
CTE is likely a form of prion disease. As mentioned earlier, the primary difference between Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other forms of prion disease, is the region of the brain that is under attack at the initial phase of the onset. Neurodegenerative disease typically spreads throughout the brain and body, so symptoms progress over time. A variety of factors can trigger prion disease, including genetics, head trauma and poor nutrition.
CTE is a progressive degenerative disease affecting people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries, that may occur in some athletes and others who have been exposed to concussions and repetitive head impacts. One theory about the cause of CTE is that repeated injuries to the brain causes a buildup of an abnormal form of the tau protein which may interfere with the function of the brain’s neurons.
Dr. Stanley Prusiner, an American neuroscientist from the University of California at San Francisco, earned a Nobel Prize in 1997 for discovering and characterizing deadly prions and prion disease. President Obama awarded Prusiner the National Medal of Science in 2010 to recognize the importance of his research. Prusiner claims that amyloid beta and tau are both prions. For this reason and many more, prions are spreading through our food, water, health systems and beyond. Prions are unstoppable. Misinformation, disinformation, corruption and collusion are compounding the threat. Contrary to popular deception, prion disease is highly transmissible.
Read or listen to the NPR article: A third of former NFL players surveyed believe they have CTE
There are proven strategies to help avert neurodegenerative disease, including nutrition, exercise and prion aversion. There is not a cure for prion disease, but smart nutrition can ease the symptoms.
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