CTE: The Silent Threat to Brain Health in Sports and Beyond
You may have heard of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in movies like “Concussion” or on the news, but beyond professional football players, CTE is a growing concern for military veterans and young athletes who’ve participated in boxing, soccer or other contact sports. To shed light on the causes, effects, and potential treatments for CTE, we turned to leading neurologists around Atlanta and a former Green Bay Packers player. Join us as we explore the real impact of CTE and the urgent need to protect brain health.
What is CTE and Its Causes?
CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disorder typically related to repeated head injuries, often occurring in contact sports or military combat. “With the limited research available, the largest group with this finding has been patients who previously played American football,” shared Emory Healthcare Neurologist, Dr. Chadwick Hales. “The number and duration of head injuries likely has the most impact on CTE risk. However, there are other lifestyle contributors that may make one more susceptible, such as not reporting head injuries or symptoms.”
Signs and Symptoms of CTE
Symptoms of CTE include cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, mood disorders and motor difficulties. More specifically, those with CTE might experience:
• Aggression
• Mood swings
• Impaired memory
• Trouble organizing and carrying out tasks
• Dizziness
• Problems with balance and coordination
Experts believe that CTE symptoms can appear in two forms: early on, between ages 20-30, causing mental health and behavioral issues, or later in life, around age 60, leading to memory problems that likely progress to dementia. These cognitive symptoms only tend to develop years or even decades after head trauma occurs.
Diagnosis and Treatment of CTE
Unfortunately, CTE cannot be definitively diagnosed until someone has passed away and their brain is examined during an autopsy. However, there are ongoing studies and brain scans being developed to diagnose CTE while patients are still living. By working with doctors to identify causes and neurological symptoms, more Americans are getting the help and diagnosis they need earlier. Americans like Greg Koch.
Koch, who played eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL), mostly as an offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers, dedicated much of his life to this high-collision sport, which ultimately led to his 2018 Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. “Discussions around these types of injuries are much more common now, but back in the 70s and 80s, we weren’t talking about it at all,” Koch said. The Hall of Famer admitted to only missing two games in his entire NFL career despite countless concussions and injuries.
“Football is an alpha male sport, and alpha males want to keep playing through any injury, to their detriment.” While there is still room to grow, Koch admits that over the past decade, “safety has become paramount in this billion-dollar industry.” Since his diagnosis, Koch has received a settlement from the NFL and benefits from their 88 Plan, which assists former players suffering from dementia, ALS, and Parkinson’s.
What Should I Do if I Think I Might Have CTE?
While there is no current treatment for CTE itself, Dr. Hales and Emory Brain Health Center neuropsychologist Dr. Anthony Stringer believe the key to managing CTE and other memory loss symptoms can be found in brain training and lifestyle modifications. Stringer developed a helpful mnemonic strategy for patients to improve their reasoning, problem-solving, and attention deficiencies, called the W.O.P.R. approach:
W – Write down things you need to remember
O – Organize them
P – Picture them in your mind
R – Rehearse, practice, and recall the information
Dr. Hales recommends optimizing cognition with lifestyle modifications: regular vigorous exercise, a heart and brain-healthy diet, staying socially engaged and having a purpose in life. It is also important to seek medical attention for neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety that may benefit from medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.
“Neurological researchers are continuing to work toward improving diagnostics that can lead to a better understanding of these neuropathological changes in the brain,” notes Dr. Hales. By raising awareness and advancing research, we can better protect our brain health and improve the quality of life for those affected by CTE.
