Brain Diseases
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Back to Brain DiseasesCTE Overview
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disorder that seems to be connected to repetitive head injuries. The challenge in identifying and treating this disorder is that CTE can only be diagnosed after death with an autopsy of the brain.
While much is still unknown regarding its exact cause, treatment and prevention, CTE has gained attention in the sports world for its potential connection to concussion and repetitive hits to the head. Traumatic brain injuries sustained in contact sports, domestic violence or other circumstances seem to be associated with CTE.
Here’s what you need to know about the risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options and research about this brain disorder.
CTE Risk Factors
Researchers are still not clear on the exact relationship between head injuries and CTE. While individuals who develop CTE have sustained multiple head impacts, the exact connection is unknown. CTE appears to be linked to repetitive trauma, rather than a single incident, but researchers don’t know the number of head injuries that increase the chance of CTE or whether it matters how close in time or over what time period they occur.
Head injuries are not limited to significant incidents such as diagnosed or self-reported concussions. Recent research has found that subconcussive hits—repetitive impacts to the head that do not result in diagnosable symptoms—may also contribute to CTE. It’s also unclear whether genetic risk factors may play a role.
CTE Signs and Symptoms
CTE Diagnosis
CTE Treatments
CTE Research Efforts
Disease Resources
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