Repeated Head Impacts

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disease that affects how the brain works. It is linked to a build-up of abnormal proteins that damage brain tissue and cause brain cells to undergo cell death.^1,2

Research suggests CTE is associated with long-term exposure to repeated hits to the head (head impacts). There is no strong evidence that shows that getting one or more concussions (or other mild traumatic brain injuries) or occasional hits to the head leads to CTE.^3,4 More research is needed to better understand:

• Potential risk factors for CTE, including the role of a person’s sex, genetics, medical history, and environmental and lifestyle factors.
• How the CTE disease process begins.
• Why some people with a history of long-term exposure to repeated head impacts develop CTE and others do not.^5-7

CTE Symptoms

Scientists are not certain what symptoms are directly linked to CTE. Family members of people who were later diagnosed with CTE reported that the person had problems with thinking, emotions, mood, suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors that became serious enough to get in the way of normal daily activities (such as social and work-related activities).^5,7,8 However, having these symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has CTE. It is important to talk to a doctor if you, a family member, or friend have any questions or concerns. Treatments are available to help with many of these symptoms.

Diagnosing CTE

Currently, the only way doctors can confirm a CTE diagnosis is by checking the brain of a person after they die (also called an autopsy of the brain). Specialized doctors, called neuropathologists, look for changes in the brain in people suspected of having CTE to confirm whether or not the person had CTE, or other diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, vascular disease, or Parkinson’s disease.⁷ Neuropathologists commonly find more than one disease in a brain during an autopsy of a person suspected of having CTE.⁹

The National Institutes of Health has supported several research studies and scientific meetings to better understand CTE and learn how to diagnose CTE while a person is alive. Most research is focused on advancing non-invasive methods to see what is happening inside the brain of a living person and to track it over time. An example includes using imaging (such as Positron Emission Tomography) to scan the brain and observe the patterns of certain proteins in different parts of the brain.

Counting CTE Cases is Difficult

Scientists do not currently know how many people have or will develop CTE in the United States. CTE has been found in the brains of some deceased contact and collision sport athletes, combat military veterans, victims of intimate partner violence, and others with and without a reported history of long-term exposure to head impacts who donated their brains for research.^7,10,11 Prior studies suggest that CTE is likely very rare.^3,12,13 This is especially true among groups of people who have an unknown or no reported history of long-term exposure to head impacts.^3,12,13

To learn more about CTE and other brain diseases:

• Visit the National Institutes of Health website.

If you or someone you know needs to speak with a trained counselor:

• Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or text “home” to 741741
• Call the National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

• Call or text 988
• Chat online

The Veterans Crisis Line connects veterans, their family, or friends with qualified, caring responders:

• Call the confidential, toll-free hotline at 988 then press 1
• Text to 838255
• Chat online