What Is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive brain disease that often develops as a result of repeated blows to the head. In recent years, it has been widely discussed in connection with football and other contact sports, but it’s important to understand that CTE is not an issue faced only by athletes.
Anyone who experiences repeated head trauma—even if the injuries seem minor—could be at risk. Suppose you or a loved one has suffered head injuries due to someone else’s negligence. In that case, a personal injury attorney in Charlotte, NC, can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you may deserve.
What Is CTE?
CTE can become a problem when a person is constantly struck in the head over a long period of time. The blows trigger long-term changes in the brain, and even mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can contribute to its development.
The key issue is the buildup of a protein called tau. Whenever the brain suffers an injury, tau proteins can become damaged and start to clump together against the organ. They can eventually begin to form tangles that interfere with normal brain function and may spread over time. As they spread, they kill brain cells and lead to various symptoms.
CTE affects the way the brain processes memories, behavior, and overall mood. Symptoms typically don’t appear immediately. In fact, they’re more likely to show up years or even decades down the road, long after the initial injuries that led to the condition. The delayed onset makes CTE especially tough to diagnose and treat.
What Are the Early Symptoms?
Everyone who experiences CTE does so differently, and the signs tend to be subtle.
A person might deal with:
- Trouble concentrating
- Short-term memory loss
- Impulsive tendencies
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
These can all easily be attributed to other mental health conditions, stress, or even just normal aging. However, if someone has a history of repeated head trauma, these early signs could point to CTE.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms become even worse.
Some people develop:
- Severe memory loss similar to Alzheimer’s
- Paranoia
- Violent or aggressive behavior
- Difficulty with motor skills
- Suicidal thoughts
Because these signs overlap with other brain disorders, diagnosing CTE is challenging. However, doctors can look at a patient’s history of head injuries and use brain scans to assess their condition.
What Causes CTE?
The repeated head trauma that can lead to CTE doesn’t always have to be severe. Most people think concussions are the main culprit, but even smaller and less noticeable blows to the head (sometimes called “subconcussive impacts”) can cause CTE over time.
Contacts Sports
Perhaps most commonly, CTE is associated with athletes who play rough contact sports like boxing, football, hockey, and soccer. Recent research has found that an alarming number of former NFL players suffer from the condition, and it’s brought an increased awareness of the disease.
Military Service
Soldiers, especially those who were exposed to constant blasts and combat situations, are at risk of brain trauma that can lead to CTE. The shockwaves from explosions can cause damage even if there’s no visible head injury.
Domestic Violence
People who experience repeated physical abuse, particularly when it involves blows to the head, can develop brain injuries over time. Unfortunately, CTE in domestic violence survivors hasn’t been studied as much, but it’s thought to be an underrecognized issue.
Work Injuries
Construction work, law enforcement, professional stunt work, and similar jobs can expose employees to frequent head trauma and put them at a higher risk for CTE.
How Is CTE Diagnosed?
CTE can’t be officially diagnosed while a person is alive. Right now, the only way to confirm the condition is through an autopsy, where scientists can look at the brain for tau protein buildup.
However, doctors can look at symptoms, medical history, and brain scans to figure out if a person is likely dealing with CTE. MRIs and PET scans can show signs of brain degeneration, but those methods are still developing.
Recently, though, some promising research has started looking at the idea of using biomarkers — substances in the blood or brain and spinal fluid that could indicate CTE in living patients. There’s no definitive test yet, but scientists hope the condition can be diagnosed more accurately in the near future.
Is There a Cure for CTE?
Since CTE is still tough to diagnose or recognize, there’s no cure for it yet, and neither can it be reversed once the brain damage has taken place. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no hope for people who have to deal with it.
Treatments are available that can help manage the symptoms and improve a patient’s overall quality of life.
Doctors might recommend:
- Cognitive therapy to help with memory loss and trouble with making decisions
- Medication to treat anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders
- Behavioral therapy to help manage impulsive actions and aggression
- Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and good sleep habits to support overall brain health
Because CTE gets worse over time, early intervention is the most important thing to help a patient deal with its effects. The sooner they get the right treatment, the better their chances of managing the condition and keeping their independence.
Research is still ongoing, and science is constantly looking for better ways to diagnose, treat, and hopefully — someday — prevent CTE.
Why CTE Awareness Matters
CTE is much more than just a medical condition related to sports. It’s a serious health issue that affects countless people. There’s still a lot to learn about it, but people can protect their brain health by understanding the risks and symptoms so they can get the right treatment to deal with it before it becomes a major problem.
The legal landscape around CTE continues to evolve as more cases come to light. Former athletes and military personnel have filed lawsuits against the organizations that failed to protect them from repeated head injuries. If negligence played a role in a person’s exposure to repeated head trauma that led to CTE, legal action may be an option for holding those responsible accountable.
Contact an Experienced Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyer at Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
We proudly serve clients in Charlotte, NC, and its surrounding areas:
Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers
1009 East Blvd Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 980-9999