Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease
that develops as a result of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. Chronic traumatic
encephalopathy is characterized by a unique pattern of accumulation of hyperphosphorylated
tau in neurons and astrocytes. The tau abnormalities begin focally and perivascularly
at the depths of the cerebral sulci, spread to the superficial layers of the adjacent
cortex, and eventually become widespread throughout the medial temporal lobes, diencephalon,
and brainstem. Abnormalities in 43 kDa TAR DNA-binding protein are also found in most
cases of CTE. To date, CTE can only be diagnosed by postmortem neuropathological examination,
although there are many ongoing research studies examining imaging techniques and
biomarkers that might prove to have diagnostic utility. Currently, the incidence and
prevalence of CTE are unknown, although great strides are being made to better understand
the clinical symptoms and signs of CTE. Further research is critically needed to better
identify the genetic and environmental risk factors for CTE as well as potential rehabilitation
and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords
chronic traumatic encephalopathy - traumatic brain injury - tauopathy - TDP-43 - Alzheimer
disease
