The science and questions surrounding chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Abstract

Recently, the pathobiology, causes, associated factors, incidence and prevalence, and natural history of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) have been debated. Data from retrospective case series and high-profile media reports have fueled public fear and affected the medical community's understanding of the role of sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the development of CTE. There are a number of limitations posed by the current evidence that can lead to confusion within the public and scientific community. In this paper, the authors address common questions surrounding the science of CTE and propose future research directions.

Keywords: CTE = chronic traumatic encephalopathy; FTLD = frontotemporal lobar degeneration; NFL = National Football League; NFT = neurofibrillary tangle; NIH = National Institutes of Health; NT = neuritic thread; TBI = traumatic brain injury; chronic traumatic encephalopathy; concussion; controversies; diagnosis; p-tau = hyperphosphorylated tau; research directions; subconcussion; treatment.