Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

WHAT IS CTE

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Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) describes brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas. It is a progressive degenerative disease found in people who have had a severe blow or repeated blows to the head. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was formerly believed to exist primarily among boxers, and was referred to as dementia pugilistica; but it was discovered that it 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.

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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, which results in traumatic impacts to the cranium.

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.
The primary physical manifestations of CTE include a reduction in brain weight, associated with atrophy of the frontal and temporal cortices and medial temporal lobe.Symptoms of CTE generally begin several years (about 10 years) after experiencing repetitive mild traumatic brain injury.Symptoms of CTE 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. The symptoms are similar to other conditions such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

CAUSE OF CTE

• CTE had been associated with boxing and was called dementia pugilistica or "punch-drunk syndrome
• continous hit on the skull

Diagnosis for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

It is said that there is no test to determine if someone has CTE. Because CTE is a relatively new area of exploration for researchers and physicians, formal clinical guidelines for diagnosing and managing CTE do not yet exist but recently pathologist found a way of diagnosing it.
to determine whether someone had a condition associated with repeated concussions, the pathologist preserves the tissue in formalin, slices it thin enough for light to shine through, washes it with chemicals, and peers at it through a microscope. If some areas remain blotched with reddish brown, then the pathologist can definitively diagnose the person with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

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TREATMENT OF CTE
Recently there ic no treatment for Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), research on the use of canabis to treat CTE is still ungoing.
However if ine is found with symptoms of CTE, such individual should do the following:

• Cut back on activities
• Get plenty of rest
• Reduce physical activity if it increases your symptoms
• Avoid too much computer time if this increases your symptoms
• Get plenty of sleep
• Return to activities gradually, with guidance from your doctor
• Avoid drinking alcohol and take only prescribed medication
• Write things down or limit tasks, as needed
• Ease back into work
• Consult others before making major decisions

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REFERENCES

1. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/09/27/new-method-may-diagnose-cte-before-death.html
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20113581