Brain Injury Research Institute - Home Page Out Team Our Scientific Research Get Involved Testimonials Contact Us
Brain Injury Research Institute
Actively researching the brain since 1996
Call today at (888) 542-3152
Video
View our honorable past donations Learn about CTE
Quick Facts

What Is CTE?

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Explained

The condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was formerly believed to exist primarily among boxers, and was referred to as dementia pugilistica. It is a progressive degenerative disease which afflicts the brain of people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries, such as athletes who take part in contact sports, members of the military and others. The term encephalopathy derives from Ancient Greek en- "in," kephale "head," and patheia "suffering." Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a condition of brain damage which persists over a period of years or decades and which is the result of traumatic impacts to the cranium.

The brain of an individual who suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy gradually deteriorates and will over time end up losing mass. Certain areas of the brain are particularly liable to atrophy, though other areas are prone to becoming enlarged. Another aspect of CTE is that some areas of the brain experience an accumulation of tau protein, a substance which serves to stabilize cellular structure in the neurons but which may become defective and subsequently may cause major interference with the function of the neurons.

Symptoms of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

The symptoms of CTE can be debilitating and may have life-changing effects for both the individual and for his or her family. Some of the most common include loss of memory, difficulty controlling impulsive or erratic behavior, impaired judgment, behavioral disturbances including aggression and depression, difficult with balance, and a gradual onset of dementia. An individual with CTE may mistakenly ascribe the symptoms to the normal process of aging, or might receive a wrong diagnosis due to the fact that many of the symptoms are similar to other conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. CTE has been diagnosed in several notable cases which received widespread media attention, including the suicide deaths of NFL player Junior Seau, and professional wrestler Chris Benoit who committed suicide after murdering his wife and son.

Diagnosing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Brain Injury Research Institute doctors Bennet I. Omalu, M.D. and Julian Bailes, M.D. were the first to diagnose CTE in a professional football player in 2002. The condition has so far only been diagnosable through the post-mortem examination of the brain of an individual suspected of suffering from CTE. A grant provided by our organization, however, made possible a recent UCLA study which appears to have opened the door to being able to diagnose CTE in living test subjects, by identifying concentrations of tau protein. With diagnostic tests which can identify the signs of early onset CTE, it would be possible to screen professional athlete, military personnel and others who are at risk for developing this condition so as to safeguard their future health and happiness. We are working tirelessly to discover further information which will make it possible to diagnose CTE among the living, as well as to find a way to treat the condition. Our work is not funded by the NFL or other professional sports organizations - in fact, the NFL initially attacked our claims that concussions suffered while playing football could cause CTE. Instead, we are supported through fundraising and donations. Contact us now to learn more about our work and to find out how you can help.

Brain Injury Research Institute - Brain Injury Research Institute
Located at 1609 Warwood Avenue Wheeling, WV 26003. View Map
Phone: (866) 206-7077
Website: