Description

Chronic encephalopathy, traumatic (CTE) is a brain disorder likely caused by repeated head injuries. Causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, known as degeneration. CTE gets worse with time. The only definitive diagnosis CTE is after death during an autopsy of the brain.

CTE is a rare disorder that is still not well understood. CTE does not appear to be associated with a single lesion in the head. It is related to repeated head injuries, often occur in contact sports and military combat. The development of the CTE has been associated with the second impact syndrome, in which a second head injury that happens before the previous head injury, the symptoms completely resolved.

Experts are still trying to understand how repeated head injuries and other factors that could contribute to the changes in the brain that result in CTE . Researchers are studying how the number of head injuries that someone experiences and the bad are the injuries can affect the risk of CTE .

CTE has been found in the brains of people who played the united states of football and other contact sports, including boxing. It can also occur in members of the armed forces who were exposed to explosive blasts. The symptoms of CTE is believed that include problems with thinking and emotions, physical problems, and other behaviors. It is believed that these develop years to decades after head trauma that occurs.

CTE cannot be definitely diagnosed during life, except in people with high-risk exposures. The researchers are currently in the development of diagnostic biomarkers for CTE , but none has been validated. When the symptoms associated with CTE occur, health care providers can diagnose the syndrome of encephalopathy, traumatic.

The experts still don't know how often CTE occurs in the population, but it seems to be rare. Also don't fully understand the causes. There is No cure for CTE .

Symptoms

There are No specific symptoms that have been clearly linked to CTE . Some of the possible symptoms can occur in many other conditions. In people who were confirmed to have CTE at autopsy, the symptoms have included cognitive, behavioral, mood, and motor changes.

Cognitive impairment

  • Difficulty thinking.
  • The loss of memory.
  • Problems with the planning, organization and realization of the tasks.

Behavior changes

  • The impulsive behavior.
  • Of aggression.

Mood disorders

  • Depression or apathy.
  • The emotional instability.
  • The misuse of substances.
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Motor symptoms

  • Problems with gait and balance.
  • Parkinsonism, which causes tremors, slow movement and speech problems.
  • Motor neuron disease, which destroys the cells that control walking, talking, swallowing, and breathing.

CTE symptoms do not occur immediately after an injury to the head. Experts believe that develop over years or decades after repeated trauma to the head.

Experts also believe that the CTE symptoms is present in two forms. In early life, between the late 20's and early 30's, the first form of CTE can lead to mental health and behavioral problems. Symptoms of this type include depression, anxiety, impulsive behavior and aggression. The second form of CTE is believed that the cause of the symptoms later in life, around 60 years of age. These symptoms include memory and thinking problems that are likely to progress to dementia.

The full list of signs to look for in people with CTE at autopsy is still unknown. There is also little known about how CTE progresses.

When to see a doctor

CTE is thought to develop over many years after repeated injury in the brain, that can be mild or severe. Consult your health care provider in these situations:

  • Thoughts of suicide. The research shows that individuals with CTE may be at increased risk of suicide. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call 911 or your local emergency number. Or in contact with a direct line of suicide. In the united states, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline , or use the Lifeline Chat .
  • Head injury. Consult your health care provider if you have had a head injury, even if you do not need emergency care. If your child has received a head injury that worries you, call your doctor immediately. Depending on your symptoms, your or your child's doctor may recommend seeking immediate medical attention.
  • Memory problems. Consult your health care provider if you have concerns about your memory. Also consult with your doctor if you have other thoughts or behavior problems.
  • Personality or mood changes. Consult your health care provider if you experience depression, anxiety, and aggressive or impulsive behavior.

Causes

Repeated trauma to the head, it is likely that the cause of CTE . Players of american football in the united States, ice hockey players and members of the army serving in war zones have been the focus of most of the CTE studies. However, other sports, and factors such as the physical abuse can also lead to repeated head injuries.

An injury to the head can cause a concussion, which can cause headaches, memory problems and other symptoms. Not everyone who experiences repeated concussions, including athletes and members of the armed forces, go on to develop CTE . Some studies have shown no increase in the incidence of CTE in people exposed to repeated head injury.

In brains with CTE , researchers have found that there is an accumulation of a protein called tau around the blood vessels. The accumulation of Tau in CTE is different from the accumulation of the protein tau is found in Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. CTE is believed to cause the areas of the brain to remove the waste, known as atrophy. This happens due to the fact that lesions in the nerve cells that conduct electrical impulses that affect the communication between the cells.

It is possible that individuals with CTE may show signs of other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease or frontotemporal lobar degeneration, also known as frontotemporal dementia.

Risk factors

The repeated exposure to the traumatic brain injury is believed to increase the risk of CTE . Experts are still learning about the risk factors.

Prevention

There is No treatment for CTE . But CTE can be avoided because it is associated with the recurrence of the concussion. People who have had a concussion are more likely to have another head injury. The current recommendation to prevent CTE is to reduce mild traumatic brain injury, and prevent additional injury after a concussion.

Diagnosis

There is currently no method to definitively diagnose CTE during life. But experts have developed clinical criteria of the syndrome of encephalopathy, traumatic (TES). TES is a clinical disorder associated with CTE . CTE is suspected in people who are at high risk due to repeated head trauma over years during sports or military experiences. A diagnosis requires evidence of the degeneration of brain tissue and deposits of tau and other proteins in the brain. This can only be seen after death, during autopsy.

Some researchers are actively trying to find a proof of CTE that can be used while people are alive. Others are still studying the brains of deceased persons who have had CTE , such as US football players.

The hope is, finally, the use of neuropsychological tests, brain imaging such as specialized MRI's, and other biomarkers to diagnose CTE .

Treatment

There is No treatment for CTE . The brain disorder is progressive, which means it continues to get worse over time. More research on the treatments that are needed, but the current approach is to avoid injuries to the head. It is also important to stay informed about how to detect and treat traumatic brain injury.

Preparing for your appointment

You'll probably have to start by seeing your primary care provider. Your doctor may refer you to a neurologist, psychiatrist, neuropsychologist, or to another specialist for further evaluation.

Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot to discuss, prepare before your appointment.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do beforehand. Ask if you need to fast for blood tests.
  • Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Your doctor will probably want to know details about his concern for his mental function. Try to remember when he began to suspect that something might be wrong. If you think that your symptoms are getting worse, be prepared to explain why. Be prepared to discuss specific examples.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Make a list of your other medical conditions. Include conditions that are currently being treated, such as diabetes or heart disease. And a list of conditions you have had in the past, such as stroke.
  • Have a family member, friend or caregiver along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who comes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

Prepare a list of questions that can help you make the most of your time with the health care provider. A list of questions from most important to least important. Some basic questions to ask the doctor include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What kind of proof do you need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or long-term? How is it likely to progress over time?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you suggest?
  • I have other medical problems. How can they be managed together?
  • There are clinical trials of experimental treatments that I have to take into account?
  • Are there any restrictions?
  • If the prescribed medication is that there is a potential for interaction with other medications I'm taking?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take my house? What sites do you recommend?
  • I need to see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it? You may have to call your insurance provider to some of these answers.

If you have had a concussion, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is the risk of future concussions?
  • When it will be safe to return to competitive sports?
  • When it will be safe to resume vigorous exercise?
  • It is safe to return to school or to work?
  • It is safe for you to drive a car or operate power equipment?

Do not hesitate to ask questions during your appointment anytime you don't understand something.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider may ask a variety of questions.

The questions related to the symptoms:

  • What symptoms do you have? Any problem with the use of words, memory, concentration, personality or directions?
  • When did symptoms begin?
  • Are symptoms of steadily worsening, or are sometimes better and sometimes worse?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • You've left to do certain activities, such as the management of finances or shopping, due to problems of thinking through them?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve, or worsen the symptoms?
  • Have you noticed changes in the way we tend to react to people or events?
  • Do you have more energy than usual, less than usual, or about the same?
  • Have you noticed any shaking or difficulty walking?

The questions are related to the history of health:

  • You have had your vision and hearing tested recently?
  • There is a family history of dementia or other neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Parkinson's disease?
  • What medications are you taking? You are taking any type of vitamins or supplements?
  • Do you drink alcohol? How much?
  • What other medical conditions are being treated?

If you have had a concussion, your doctor may ask you questions related to the events surrounding the injury:

  • Have you had any previous injury to the head?
  • Play contact sports?
  • How did you get this injury?
  • What symptoms have you had immediately after the injury?
  • Do you remember what happened just before and just after the injury?
  • Did you lose consciousness after the injury?
  • Do you have seizures?

Questions related to physical symptoms:

  • Have experienced nausea or vomiting since the injury?
  • Have you been experiencing headaches? How soon after the injury did the headache start?
  • Have you noticed any difficulty with physical coordination since the injury?
  • Have you noticed any sensitivity or problems with vision and hearing?
  • Have you noticed changes in your sense of smell or taste?
  • How is your appetite?
  • Have you felt lethargic, or easily fatigued since the injury?
  • Are you having trouble sleeping or waking from sleep?
  • Do you have any dizziness or vertigo?

Questions related to the cognitive or emotional signs and symptoms:

  • Have you had problems with memory or concentration, since the injury?
  • Has had mood changes, including irritability, anxiety, or depression?
  • He has had thoughts of harming yourself or others?
  • Have you noticed or have others commented that their personality has changed?
  • What other symptoms are you worried about?
Symptoms and treatment of Chronic diseases of the encephalopathy, traumatic