Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesStagesTreatmentCoping and Prevention

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Stages

Treatment

Coping and Prevention

Close

CTE ranges in severity, and it can cause extreme brain damage, especially to particular areas of the brain, and can result in debilitating symptoms. CTE can also be a sneaky condition, taking years and sometimes even decades for severe symptoms to manifest.

Having a history of severe head trauma for several years can make anyone of any age susceptible to developing CTE. Around 17% of people who have experienced repeated concussions or mildtraumatic brain injurygo on to develop CTE.

Symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

CTE is a progressive disorder; symptoms can take many years to develop. When left undiagnosed and untreated, symptoms worsen over time. The most telling signs of CTE include

In severe cases, CTE is likely to cause more troubling symptoms, such as

Many brain disorders share similar symptoms with CTE. Exhibiting the above symptoms isn’t a sure sign that you have the condition. In some fatal cases of CTE, people with the disorder showed no symptoms while alive.

Diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Diagnosing CTE is challenging. Currently, there’s no specific test to diagnose CTE conclusively when a person is alive.

If you’ve been exhibiting symptoms that suggest you have CTE, your doctor will ask if you have a history of physical head trauma. They are then likely to conduct tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and computed tomography (CT) scans to rule out the possibility of other brain orneurological conditions.

Unfortunately, the only way to conclusively diagnose CTE is to examine cell samples from the brain of a person who has passed away from the condition.

Causes of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Tau protein is also present in the brains of people with other neurological conditions likeAlzheimer’s disease. However, In people with CTE, the protein builds up in a unique pattern that distinguishes the condition from other neurological disorders. According to some researchers, it might be possible for these proteins to spread to other parts of the brain.

The critical component for CTE to occur is time. A single blow to the head one time is unlikely to cause CTE. However, research shows that people who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI) are two to four times more likely to develop dementia later in life.

How Parents Can Manage Sports Anxiety and Support Their Child on the Field

Stages of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

CTE typically develops in four stages:

Treatment for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

There is currently no cure for CTE, but some of its symptoms can be managed, especially when an early diagnosis is made. Therapy can help manage symptoms to a degree. For instance, a person experiencing difficulty with speech will benefit from speech therapy.

Behavioral therapycan help regulate mood swings. Your healthcare provider may also administer medication to manage mood and behavioral changes and aid memory loss.

Researchers and scientists are working on some promising treatment options for CTE. One such treatment is immunotherapy, a form of treatment focused on combating the buildup of tau proteins in the brain. Medication to reduce inflammation also shows much promise for treating the condition.

Coping With Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Self-care is crucial after a head injury. Create ahealthy daily routinethat incorporates regular exercise and adequate rest. Also, maintain a healthy and balanced diet to avoid nutritional deficits.

A Word From Verywell

CTE is a progressive and degenerative brain condition that can be fatal. More research needs to be done to help understand the condition and effectively treat it. The good news is that CTE is preventable.

If you work in a job or play a sport that exposes you to repeated head trauma, it’s crucial to take extra steps to protect yourself. CTE is a lifetime condition that requires ongoing management; preventing it is critical.

One of the more severe symptoms of CTE issuicidal thoughts and behavior.If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact emergency health services as soon as possible.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.988

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

988

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Inserra CJ, DeVrieze BW.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.CDC.Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)Boston University CTE Center.Frequently asked questions about CTEHay J, Johnson VE, Smith DH, Stewart W.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: the neuropathological legacy of traumatic brain injury.Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis. 2016;11(1):21-45. doi:10.1146/annurev-pathol-012615-044116Alzheimer’s Association.Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)Fesharaki-Zadeh A.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a brief overview.Front Neurol. 2019;10:713.Memory and Aging Center, The Regents of the University of California.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.Breen PW, Krishnan V.Recent preclinical insights into the treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.Front Neurosci. 2020;14.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Inserra CJ, DeVrieze BW.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.CDC.Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)Boston University CTE Center.Frequently asked questions about CTEHay J, Johnson VE, Smith DH, Stewart W.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: the neuropathological legacy of traumatic brain injury.Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis. 2016;11(1):21-45. doi:10.1146/annurev-pathol-012615-044116Alzheimer’s Association.Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)Fesharaki-Zadeh A.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a brief overview.Front Neurol. 2019;10:713.Memory and Aging Center, The Regents of the University of California.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.Breen PW, Krishnan V.Recent preclinical insights into the treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.Front Neurosci. 2020;14.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Inserra CJ, DeVrieze BW.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.CDC.Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)Boston University CTE Center.Frequently asked questions about CTEHay J, Johnson VE, Smith DH, Stewart W.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: the neuropathological legacy of traumatic brain injury.Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis. 2016;11(1):21-45. doi:10.1146/annurev-pathol-012615-044116Alzheimer’s Association.Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)Fesharaki-Zadeh A.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a brief overview.Front Neurol. 2019;10:713.Memory and Aging Center, The Regents of the University of California.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.Breen PW, Krishnan V.Recent preclinical insights into the treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.Front Neurosci. 2020;14.

Inserra CJ, DeVrieze BW.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.

CDC.Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Boston University CTE Center.Frequently asked questions about CTE

Hay J, Johnson VE, Smith DH, Stewart W.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: the neuropathological legacy of traumatic brain injury.Annu Rev Pathol Mech Dis. 2016;11(1):21-45. doi:10.1146/annurev-pathol-012615-044116

Alzheimer’s Association.Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Fesharaki-Zadeh A.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a brief overview.Front Neurol. 2019;10:713.

Memory and Aging Center, The Regents of the University of California.Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Breen PW, Krishnan V.Recent preclinical insights into the treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.Front Neurosci. 2020;14.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?