Athletes, military members and veterans, and other people who may have experienced head trauma or concussions, including some who have suffered from interpersonal violence, are more likely to develop a disorder called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
CTE is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that is ultimately fatal. It is partially caused by multiple – usually at least hundreds of – instances of brain trauma. The disorder can develop years after the trauma occurred.
CTE is most likely to be found in:
- Football players
- Military members and veterans
- Hockey players
- Boxers
- Rugby players
- Soccer players
- Wrestlers
If you regularly participate or used to participate in an activity that makes you more likely to develop CTE, know that other risk factors can cause some people to be more likely to get CTE than others, such as:
- Genetics
- The number of years or times you actually experienced head trauma
- The age you first experienced head trauma
Researchers believe tau, which is a structural protein found in neurons in the brain, can malfunction and cause nearby proteins to also malfunction. Gradually, the malfunctioned tau proteins take over the brain and destroy brain cells.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms of CTE, which can include:
- Behavior and mood symptoms, such as anxiety, paranoia, depression, changes in mood, aggression and issues with impulse control
- Cognitive symptoms, such as dementia, short-term memory loss, issues with judgment and other issues with cognitive function
- Sleep problems, such as issues with REM sleep
These symptoms can be treated by medical providers. It is important to note that these symptoms can have other causes in addition to CTE.
What Do I Do if I May Have CTE?
An official CTE diagnosis can only occur after death through a special autopsy that can take months. This means you will never know in your lifetime if you have CTE. However, symptoms can be treated and your quality of life can improve.
UofL Physicians – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, part of the UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute, specializes in neurological and musculoskeletal medicine with a primary focus on restoring function. Our team uses the latest research and advanced techniques to aid recovery and improve quality of life. Our specialists provide care at UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, one of the most advanced rehabilitation facilities in the country.
A health care provider may refer you to a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialist for rehabilitation care, or you can make an appointment yourself by calling 502-588-2160.
UofL Health – Sports Medicine has primary care physicians who have specialty certification in sports medicine, which gives them unique knowledge to address a wide variety of health conditions and prevention for athletes. Our physicians are also dedicated to providing the best care and treatments for athletes who have suffered concussions, as well as researching the long-term effects. Click here to see all our Sports Medicine locations.
UofL Health now offers two locations for better patient convenience at its specialized after-hours Sports Medicine Urgent Care clinics:
- East Louisville at UofL Health – Medical Center Northeast: 502-210-4602
- South Louisville at UofL Health – Medical Center Southend: 502-588-4814
No appointment is necessary at these walk-in clinics specializing in after-hours care of sports and orthopedic injuries. Our board-certified sports medicine physicians and advanced practice clinicians are on standby to treat a wide variety of injuries and illnesses.
